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Author Topic: unusual exposure  (Read 4970 times)

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Offline zigzag

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unusual exposure
« on: January 23, 2009, 05:53:56 am »
thanks for this wonderful forum. i've read up the hiv lesson in the welcome thread but still have some questions pertaining to my exposure.

5 weeks ago i had protected sex with a commercial sex worker. condom was intact. however, when i attempt to remove the condom after sex, my right index finger with a torn skin just below the eponychium (i have a habit of peeling skin around the cuticles) came into contact with the concentrated vaginal secretion at the base of the condom. The wound wasn't bleeding but it was certainly tender and i assume it is deep and fresh (peeled it 15mins before intercourse) and no scab was formed.

now, i'm experiencing a slight fever of 37.4deg.celsius, headache, swollen lymph nodes beside the groin area, yellow sputum and runny nose. this freaked me out as the symptoms are suggestive of ARS. after reading the lesson that digital-vaginal sex is only a theoretical risk, i'm much relieved but i'm still worried about it because scientifically, it is possible for transmission. therefore i would like to consult all, what will be my HIV acquisition risk in this exposure? the symptoms are making me nuts.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2009, 07:37:53 am »
At no time were you at risk of contracting HIV with the situation you've provided.

Offline zigzag

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2009, 07:51:06 am »
thank you rapidrod for your reply! do you also mean that even if the wound was even deeper in the situation i have described, there is no risk for transmission too?

Offline RapidRod

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2009, 07:54:09 am »
Unless you had a large laceration that required stitches and you fingered her, it would then be considered a risk.

Offline zigzag

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  • Posts: 5
Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2009, 08:01:11 am »
i was a biology student and i prayed so hard that though my skin wasnt intact at the time of contact, the peeling off of skin by my itchy fingers hasn't allow the virus to breach my body's defense. but there is no way i could tell how much of epidermis was removed.

but still, thanks for the assurance rapidrod! you are doing a great job in this forum! can i also request andy for a take in this?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2009, 08:15:39 am »
Despite whatever variations you can throw into the mix in terms of an injured digit, including abrasions, nicks, sores, cuts and whatever, I have never known of a case of transmission to occur in that manner. It simply doesn't happen and I don't expect you to be the first to become infected through this extremely common sexual activity. If it is present, HIV needs the kind of receptive setting provided by a vagina or an anus to be transmitted sexually. It's as simple as that.

You're worrying needlessly.

Cheers.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2009, 10:34:44 am by Andy Velez »
Andy Velez

Offline zigzag

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  • Posts: 5
Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2009, 08:33:38 am »
thank you so much andy. i really appreciate that. i feel so much more relieved. however i'm still going to test at the 3 month mark to be responsible. Thanks again!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2009, 08:47:19 am »
OK, fair enough if you need the inevitable negative result to get peace of mind about the issue.

Meantime, my suggestion is that you lay off of surfing the waiting period as otherwise you will inevitably find (mis)information to feed your fears. Get productlively busy with other matters in  your life and the time will pass much more easily before you test and collect the negative result I expect you to receive.

Cheers.
Andy Velez

Offline zigzag

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  • Posts: 5
Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2009, 09:17:08 am »
i'll take that piece of advice from you and try to divert my attention away from those disturbing symptoms and bear with the agonizing wait!

keep up the good work of devoting precious time to help anxious people in this forum, who doesnt have a clear idea of hiv transmission. i wish you good health andy!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: unusual exposure
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2009, 10:35:26 am »
Thanks. Good luck to you as well.
Andy Velez

 


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