POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: DavidinIndia on May 28, 2013, 01:22:40 pm
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Hi
Im a tourist in India.
I recently was the receptive anal partner with another gay male (he was a masseur)
We used a condom, but he ejaculated into the condom and as he pulled out of my anus, the condom came off, and there was a lot of sperm everywhere.
My question:
- a Dr has put me on Tenvir-EM as a PeP 28 day treatment. Is Tenvir-EM sufficient as a PEP treatment? (HIv status of insertive partner NOT known)
- my Tenvir-em tablets are blue AND white, whereas the pacake says they should be blue.
I asked a local pharmacist who had another box, and they were blue too. Not half blue half white like mine are!
Im on day 5 now, so im concerned about whether I was on authentic Tenvir-EM? And wheter its too late to swap over to ones that match the package insert color description.
Please help!
Thanks,
David
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Hi David , Please read the welcome thread and familiarize yourself with the posting rules .
I moved your thread into the AM I INFECTED forum , please only post here and do not start another thread . You can select show own post on your profile page and it will take you here .
HIV is a fragile virus that is becomes damaged and unable to infect once exposed to oxygen . The situation as you described it is unlikely to result in you being infected with HIV .
Its up to you and your doctor to decide if you think this low , possibly no risk situation warrants pep . The medication Tenvir-EM or what we call Truvada here in the U.S is a very effective PEP drug .
You will have to wait 6 weeks past taking pep to test for HIV and than test again at 3 months to confirm the results , under the circumstances I would expect a negative result .
I can comment on whether you were given authentic Tenvir-EM . If its an option to take it to a clinic or pharmacy to ease your mind then maybe you could do that , I find it hard to believe a doctor would send you away with the wrong meds though .
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David,
A condom coming off during withdrawal isn't a risk for either partner - even if cum did get everywhere. Where it did NOT get was inside you. You didn't have a risk.
If you wish to continue taking drugs you do not need, that's between you and your doctor.
Ann
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Thanks for the responses.
Regarding the potential risk -- I just didnt want to take a chance. So I figure that even if it is a 0.1% chance of infection, Id rather do 28 days of PEP then face a lifetime of medication etc.
However, my concerns about the Tenvir-Em not being the right color were true. I got a second box and they were one solid color, and plain white inside, unlike the ones I started on, which were white and blue, both inside and out. Somewhat unnerving.
Furthermore -- Ive discovered what seems to be an enlarged lymph node on my neck. Its just one -- so Im not sure if this could be an early sign -- or if it could be caused from something else. What does a typical swollen node feel like in HIV related cases, and can it be limited to one node or are a few nodes normally swollen.
In addition my knees having been aching quite a lot.
The Dr who treated me here, said HIV testing can pick up the virus sometimes within 10days -- is this true.
Thanks again.
David
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Thanks for the responses.
Regarding the potential risk -- I just didnt want to take a chance. So I figure that even if it is a 0.1% chance of infection, Id rather do 28 days of PEP then face a lifetime of medication etc.
However, my concerns about the Tenvir-Em not being the right color were true. I got a second box and they were one solid color, and plain white inside, unlike the ones I started on, which were white and blue, both inside and out. Somewhat unnerving.
Furthermore -- Ive discovered what seems to be an enlarged lymph node on my neck. Its just one -- so Im not sure if this could be an early sign -- or if it could be caused from something else. What does a typical swollen node feel like in HIV related cases, and can it be limited to one node or are a few nodes normally swollen.
In addition my knees having been aching quite a lot.
The Dr who treated me here, said HIV testing can pick up the virus sometimes within 10days -- is this true.
Thanks again.
David
From what information yuou have given, I firmly believe:
A) you had no risk
B) Your doctor did not give you the wrong medicine
C) none of your symptoms are remotely indicative of Acute Retroviral Syndrome.
As you are on PEP, the current standard of testing does not apply to you. Early PCR testing can pick up viral particles as early as ten days after infection has been secured - but as you are taking medicine specifically to thwart the virus from replicating, there's no way that would work for you.
Your only alternative, as you seem insistent on following this particular rabbit, is to continue your PEP for the 30 days prescribed, then wait six weeks PAST THAT for your first test. An antibody test at three months AFTER you conclude your PEP is still considered definitive.
It would appear that in your anxiety, you have prolonged your agony.
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Thanks Jkinatl2 -- I think I needed that virtual slap in the face to wake me up and bring me to my senses!
Indeed, I am consumed by anxiety. The Dr also prescribed me some relaxants, which have helped alot, but for some reason, its just always on my mind.
I think being in a foreign country, alone, is not the best environment for dealing with this -- however miniscule my risk is.
Thanks again for the direct info, and for the reassurance.
Regards.