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Quick Questions
Hey Doc. Here is my testing history.
I've been tested 5 times out to 4 1/2 months since my potential exposure for HIV (all negative).
10 months ago I had protected vaginal intercourse And unprotected oral sex (the oral sex last for 10 seconds or maybe a little more).
Anyways. I am worried about genital warts. I haven't had any pimples/warts since that event 10 months ago, but 2 days after it I came down with a super bad illness (chills, fever, sweat, muscle aches, abdomen pain, swollen lymph nodes in neck. The reason i ask about this is because I have a girlfriend now and sh has given me unprotected oral sex but she hasn't had any herpes type pimples pop up on her lips at all.
Also I notice so round skin spots
on my penis shaft that itch and are dark in colOr. They aren't pimple looking, they are completely flat. I used to masturbate a lot when I was a teen and remember the skin becoming red if irritated or masturbating too much, which I think it's what causes the itching cuz of scar tissues. And my girlfriend has tended to use her teeth when giving oral.
So...
1. Are my HIV tests conclusive?
2. Should I be concerned about genital herpes from my event 10 months ago?
I've been tested 5 times out to 4 1/2 months since my potential exposure for HIV (all negative).
10 months ago I had protected vaginal intercourse And unprotected oral sex (the oral sex last for 10 seconds or maybe a little more).
Anyways. I am worried about genital warts. I haven't had any pimples/warts since that event 10 months ago, but 2 days after it I came down with a super bad illness (chills, fever, sweat, muscle aches, abdomen pain, swollen lymph nodes in neck. The reason i ask about this is because I have a girlfriend now and sh has given me unprotected oral sex but she hasn't had any herpes type pimples pop up on her lips at all.
Also I notice so round skin spots
on my penis shaft that itch and are dark in colOr. They aren't pimple looking, they are completely flat. I used to masturbate a lot when I was a teen and remember the skin becoming red if irritated or masturbating too much, which I think it's what causes the itching cuz of scar tissues. And my girlfriend has tended to use her teeth when giving oral.
So...
1. Are my HIV tests conclusive?
2. Should I be concerned about genital herpes from my event 10 months ago?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you keep asking anxiety driven questions that have already been answered, the entire thread will be deleted.
Re-read all my replies and concentrate on every word. This thread is definitely over.
Re-read all my replies and concentrate on every word. This thread is definitely over.
Wanted to clarify.
1. Exposure was 10 months ago (protected vaginal, unprotected oral)
2. Exposure was 6 months ago (deep kissing, split lip, she bit my lip)
My 8 week and 4 1/2 month EIA test (negative) along with 2 oral swabs at 4 & 12 weeks (negative) was after the 2nd exposure.
I didn't know if I confused you. Am I still in the clear?
1. Exposure was 10 months ago (protected vaginal, unprotected oral)
2. Exposure was 6 months ago (deep kissing, split lip, she bit my lip)
My 8 week and 4 1/2 month EIA test (negative) along with 2 oral swabs at 4 & 12 weeks (negative) was after the 2nd exposure.
I didn't know if I confused you. Am I still in the clear?
Thank you doc. Just wanted to make sure I didn't have to way 10 full days after they appeared. My exposure was deep kissing with lots of saliva exchange and a split lip with some biting.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're overthinking it. Test results ALWAYS overrule symptoms. It is impossible you caught HIV during the exposure described.
That's all for this thread.
That's all for this thread.
Hey doc. I was reading how u both say tests are positive around 10 days after symptoms start. Well right before my last test (EIA at 4 1/2 months negative) about 5-7 days before this, my left neck lymph node became enlarged and tender. So this got me to take that test. Along with white taste buds I get from time to time on the tip of my tongue (I am a smoker).
Even though the lymph node became enlarged at about a week before my test at 4 1/2 months, should I have waited 10 full days after it popped up or does it not matter?
Sorry for this last question but I just read about symptoms and testing and I'm new to all this.
Even though the lymph node became enlarged at about a week before my test at 4 1/2 months, should I have waited 10 full days after it popped up or does it not matter?
Sorry for this last question but I just read about symptoms and testing and I'm new to all this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're asking me repeat what I have already said using different words! Of course it's safe.
Thanks for the thanks.
Thanks for the thanks.
Would u say it's safe to have unprotected sex with my girlfriend and put all fears of HIV aside? This will be all and thanks for your tremendous service.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The reliability of your test result depends only on when you were exposed, not how high risk the exposure was or your partner's test result. So this doesn't change my opinon or advice. And in any case, despite your fears concerning your partner's sexual history, the odds any particular woman with her lifestyle would have HIV are very low, certainly less than 1 chance in 1,000. In most heterosexual men and women in the US and other industrialized countries, HIV remains more rare than you might assume from the media and the rumor mill.
Sounds good doc. Thank you soo much. I want to ask one last question. The girl I slept with was very promiscuous, more so than me (meaning she's had A LOT more partners that I know of). Anyways here's my question:
If she was known to have HIV (which as far as I know of she doesn't because she had a negative oral swab 2 weeks before we were in contact) but if she ha happened to be in the window period when she tested an had HIV, would I have to retest? Or is my 4 month EIA conclusive?
I'm just truly to understand and move on and have unprotected sex with my girlfriend with whom I always use protection.
If she was known to have HIV (which as far as I know of she doesn't because she had a negative oral swab 2 weeks before we were in contact) but if she ha happened to be in the window period when she tested an had HIV, would I have to retest? Or is my 4 month EIA conclusive?
I'm just truly to understand and move on and have unprotected sex with my girlfriend with whom I always use protection.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
First, as to HIV: All HIV test types are 100% reliable when done more than 6-8 weeks after the last exposure (rarely up to 3 months for the antibody tests). Any testing beyond 8 weeks was superfluous. In any case, with negative results through 4+ months, for sure you didn't catch HIV.
Second, herpes: You also mention warts, but I think that was just a typo, correct? In any case, the penile bumps you describe do not suggest either herpes or warts, and your other symptoms also don't suggest herpes. Although an initial HSV infection can cause some of the symptoms you had, like fever, muscle aches, and inflamed lymph nodes, it does so only in the presence of obvious genital or oral sores, which generally are quite severe and would not be missed; and with initial oral herpes, there would also usually be a severe sore throat. It sounds like you had a garden variety (if somewhat more severe than average) viral pharyngitis or perhaps strep.
Genital itching or dark colored spots also don't sound at all like herpes. However, I wonder whether you might have some other non-STD skin problem; this doesn't sound like anything left over from genital irritation from masturbation. If this persists, consider seeing your primary care provider about it, or perhaps a dermatologist. But I wouldn't be at all worried about herpes.
If you remain concerned about herpes, you and your partner could have blood tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2. But frankly I see no need unless and until either of you develops more typical symptoms.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, as to HIV: All HIV test types are 100% reliable when done more than 6-8 weeks after the last exposure (rarely up to 3 months for the antibody tests). Any testing beyond 8 weeks was superfluous. In any case, with negative results through 4+ months, for sure you didn't catch HIV.
Second, herpes: You also mention warts, but I think that was just a typo, correct? In any case, the penile bumps you describe do not suggest either herpes or warts, and your other symptoms also don't suggest herpes. Although an initial HSV infection can cause some of the symptoms you had, like fever, muscle aches, and inflamed lymph nodes, it does so only in the presence of obvious genital or oral sores, which generally are quite severe and would not be missed; and with initial oral herpes, there would also usually be a severe sore throat. It sounds like you had a garden variety (if somewhat more severe than average) viral pharyngitis or perhaps strep.
Genital itching or dark colored spots also don't sound at all like herpes. However, I wonder whether you might have some other non-STD skin problem; this doesn't sound like anything left over from genital irritation from masturbation. If this persists, consider seeing your primary care provider about it, or perhaps a dermatologist. But I wouldn't be at all worried about herpes.
If you remain concerned about herpes, you and your partner could have blood tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2. But frankly I see no need unless and until either of you develops more typical symptoms.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
