Short topic

[CompletePuppet]

Hi,

I have a short question:
Do I need to test for HIV?

I had unprotected oral sex with an African sex worker 6,5 weeks ago in sub-Sahara country. It went both ways, I on her and she on me. I have read on this forum, that this is a no or at least very low risk situation. Does it make things any different since I fingered quite deep in her before I went down on her? So is it possible that I have drawn some of her "inner fluids" to the reach of my tongue/mouth? All other activities were with condom, so I do not worry about that (when it comes to HIV).

I have been frightened to death with this ever since, but I have decided to wait until week 13 before going to my annual tests. I won´t bother you with my symptoms, since I know they are not a factor. I´d just like to get an answer so I could relax a while waiting to be tested.

Thank you for your answer.

[Andy Velez]

Comp, as far as receiving oral there is no risk. There's never been a case of documented transmission in that manner and you aren't going to become the first. Giving oral is more theoretical in risk than actual and I would not think testing is necessary for that either.

I will say that if you are sexually active it's a good idea in general to get a full STD panel done at least annually and every six months is even better. There are other STDs out there which are much easier to catch than HIV.

This time out I don't see any cause for concern about HIV. Read the lesson on transmission which you can find a link to in the Welcome thread which opens this section. That way you will be down the basics you need to know.

Cheers,

[CompletePuppet]

Thank You Andy, that was what I wanted to know. And you can all believe that this young man has learned a lesson.

Happy x-mas everybody! Myself included.

[Andy Velez]

Glad to know you found our exchange to be helpful.

Cheers,

[CompletePuppet]

Ann,

Any additions to my question? I know you are expert on this 

[Ann]

Puppet,

Andy said it all. Getting a blowjob is not a risk for hiv infection and neither is going down on a woman.

The only thing I can think of to add that Andy hasn't already mentioned is this: You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Ann

[CompletePuppet]

Thank You too Ann! You know this already but isn´t it funny how human mind works... You know the answer, but you wont beleave it before it is told to you personally!

Thank you, you do a great job! And I really have to admire your patience!

[CompletePuppet]

Briefly,

Mate of mine, was accidentally (work related) stang by a needle used for drug abuse today. "empty needle" so to day, with no visible load in it. I was thinking, that since there was no load that could have injected, is it still possible to get infected for the "germs" by the needle? By his occupation, he is allready on PEP (within 2h from incident), and on a 6 month "observatory", with every 2 weeks testing... As U Can imagine, he is scared stiff. Any advise? He has been advised to use condoms until 6 months marker, and he was told how rare it would be to get an infection this way...

Comments, please, so I could comfort him (and his missus) anyhow?

[Ann]

Puppet,

First, the odds are distinctly in your friend's favour of coming out of this ok.

Second, he only needs a test at three months past the last dose of his PEP meds. A test at that time would be conclusive.

He doesn't really need to be tested every two weeks either. That's a bit excessive.

He may want to check out the Drugs section of this website (link in the upper left-hand corner of any forum page) so he can know what drugs he's taking and what he might expect from them.

He stands an excellent chance of coming out of this ok. For a start, hiv transmission under these circumstances is rare. Secondly, the drugs, especially taken so soon, give his already good chances that extra edge.

Ann

[CompletePuppet]

Thank you again Ann. I´ll try to ease his mind...

All of you do a great job here!

[CompletePuppet]

Hi again!

My friend, that I told you about, had read online that peeling of skin from palms of hands is typical for HIV infection. The skin of his fingers are (as I have seen them)peeling/cracking, maybe because of dry skin. He does not appear to have any other ARS "symptoms", and I have been trying to tell him that symptoms/no symptoms does not mean anything... He is stressing a lot and is having (paranoic, to my learning) symptoms like twitching on muscles and feeverish sensations.. You can imagine that he does not want to understand me..? Do you have anything to tell him about this "skin peeling"? I made him read through the lessons on this site, but as there is no mention about skin peeling here, he is assured that those other sites may be more correct... You can imagine my despair conserning his thoughts...

By the way Ann: every two week testings are not my friends idea. Government he is working for is apparently doing "research" on cases like his... This is to my understanding...

Thank you again. Sorry to bother, but I just dont have any other support on this. Even his wife has been avoiding him after the insident... She would kill me if she saw this, but I´m feeling a bit lonely because he is leaning on me and I have nowhere to lean to...

[Ann]

Puppet,

The only time I've known an hiv positive person to mention peeling skin on their hands, it was the result of the medications, not the hiv. Have you or your friend looked up his drugs like I suggested in my other post? His skin could also be dry because he's not drinking enough water. You need to drink a lot of water every day when you're on these meds.

If he is also taking part of a study - that's all good. It will be a study to find out about seroconversion timing when taking PEP and I'm happy to hear that. It might make your friend feel even more stressed out though.

He does stand an excellent chance of coming out of this ok where hiv is concerned. One question - is he also being checked for hep B and C? He should be.

Ann

[CompletePuppet]

Hi again,

I have been trying to talk my friend over to post a topic of his own, but apparently his missus is against it... I really cant help him with her...

Ann, thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I do not have the correct answer to your question consernig hep B or C. He just told me that on his "zero test" (the day he was stung, less than 2hours after the incident) they took 2 tubes of blood, and they did the same thing on his 2 week test. I do not know what they are doing with 2 tubes of blood? I guess that 1 would be enough if they were testing for HIV alone? Anyhow, his results two days later - negative. They are using HIVAgAb tests for HIV here, that is what I know for sure... Unless the government has some dark secrets conserning HIV testings (just a joke!!!)... I beleave that HIVAgAb test is combined antibody/antigene test?

Oh, and by the way, drinking a LOT of water solved his skin problem! Thank you again Ann, you are the best!

I will not post again, I´ll let my friend to do it, if he is willing.

[CompletePuppet]

Sorry for lying to you with "I will not post again" but I forgot to tell you this:

The needle that stung my mate, was used several times by (at least with) this guy that had it in his pocket. This guy was "unfortunately" forced to have HIV test after this incident and he was found HIVpositive after re-check this week. Why I put "..." marks over word unfortunately, is because he denayed to have any sharp or edged objects with him just before my mates incident... and I think you have guessed allready that my friend is working with law enforcemet (or spelled nearly like that, english is not my birth language)... I think that kind of thing to say, when police is to search you, is stupid, and dangerous, and again stupid. But after all, what does it matter what I think about other peoples actions, this world is not a pretty place with only pink flowers in it.

Vodka is starting to tell stories tonight, I´m sorry for my aggravation...

THIS IS MY LAST POST, I thank every-/anybody of you, who care to reply. From the bottom of my heart.

[Ann]

Puppet,

I want to remind you what you said in your first post on your friend's behalf. You said he was told that it is rare to become infected from a needle stick. This statement is based on real life accidental needle sticks in hospital settings and they are talking about real exposures - where the patient was known to be hiv positive.

So nothing in what I've already told you changes now that you know the needle owner's hiv status. I would only say once again to have your friend find out if he is being tested for hep C and B. I can't tell from what you've told me and my crystal ball is in the shop.

Ann