sharing bath with prostitute and hemmaroids - HIV Risk

[jdugard]

Dear Doctor

I was recently in China and visited an Spa. The attendant proceeded to give me a body rub with her breasts and finally a handjob and also rubbed my penis between her breasts. I don't believe this is high risk. I then proceeded into a bath and she joined me in the bath. Of course we were both naked and sh washed me all over with soap and water.

My question is, I was suffering from hemmaroids, did this constitute any risk to me if she was positive and do I need to test ? Should I be concerned?

Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The tests are the same all over the world, and equally reliable wherever they are done.  Certainly any and all clinics and labs that do HIV testing in Canada can be relied on to give reliable results.

Here is a thread that goes into more detail about the timing of positive results from duo/combo and antibody tests:     http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Need-your-help/show/1345664

That will wind up this thread.  Try to accept the science and move on.

[jdugard]

Thank you very much doctor.

I do not want to dwell on this.

If I could ask whether you know if the HIV test done in Toronto is routinely a Duo or combo test as opposed to a mere antibody test, and also is there any difference between the 28 day timing of a duo and the 6 weeks that some countries have as a window for the duo test?

In anticipation of your answer , this will be my last question and I thank you
once again for the good work you do for us tortured souls.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This information doesn't change my opinion or advice.  Indeed, the test result proves for sure you did not catch HIV, because the combo tests for both HIV antibody and antigen are 100% reliable at 4 weeks.

Given the definitive test result, it doesn't matter how high the risk of exposure was.  The test shows you weren't infected.  (But even with the additional information, this in fact was a low risk exposure anyway.)

So you can definitely start the new year with confidence you don't have HIV.  Make it a resolution to work to gain confidence in that conclusion, notwithstanding your OCD.  No further testing is recommended or necessary.

[jdugard]

Doctor, I went for a test at the clinic at 28 days and it was negative. The masseuse was from Thqiland which is a high risk country. What I can't remember is whether I actually had intercourse or not with her as I was somewhat drunk and I suffer from OCD so my mind keeps playing tricks on me. Would you consider this result conclusive? I believe it was a test for antibodies and antigen as it was done at a clinic in Toronto where I am on vacation.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

HIV is transmitted only by direct injection of infected blood into the body, or by unprotected (no condom) penetrating sex, i.e. a penis inside another person's vagina, rectum or (rarely) mouth.  It is not transmitted through bath water, skin-genital contact, etc. Your hemorrhoids make no difference.  On top of all this, it is statistically unlikely your partner had HIV; the large majority of commercial sex workers in China are not infected.

So no worries and no need for testing.  There is no chance you caught HIV from the events described.

Regards--  HHH, MD