Risk evaluation and symptoms...

[pg-brit]

Hi guys,

Hoping for some reassurance here... I very briefly topped a guy who's status I don't know - three thrusts, that was it - condom was intact on the first two strokes, but was broken when I pulled out the third time, after which I didn't continue.  No STDs or cuts/abrasions on my penis, and there was no visible blood or fecal matter.  After worrying about it and sitting down and trying to assess my own risk, I did not go and seek PEP, basically because I must have been unprotected inside the dude for a matter of seconds... and as the insertive I am at lower risk.  In this case, I suppose there is a theoretical risk, but the real-life logistics of it make it seem extremely remote... right?

Now two weeks on, I'm suffering with headaches and a nasty sore throat... no fever or rash or anything like that, but now the symptoms have got me connecting things back to HIV and concern that I'm infected... to the end where I can't stop thinking about it just now.  I'll wait to get an antibody test at the 12 week interval, but was interested to see if anyone agreed with my No-PEP decision and self risk assessment to give me a bit of reassurance.

Thanks in advance,
PG

[Ann]

PG,

It's unlikely that any doctor who knows their stuff would have prescribed PEP for you.

You've had a miniscule risk and yes, you would be wise to test at the appropriate time. However, I've yet to see a top end up positive following a condom break and I don't expect you to be the first.

Please read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line. A correctly stored and correctly used condom rarely breaks.

Ann

[pg-brit]

Thanks for the response, Ann - appreciated.

I'm still really concerned about potential seroconversion symptoms going on for the past couple of weeks - a lot of fatigue, some swollen nodes, headaches, intermittent diarrhoea, sore throat, which started a few days after the incident, which seems a little too soon to me.  However, what might even be oral thrush and an even sorer throat started yesterday.  That said, I am taking antibiotics for something different, and I've heard that can cause the thrush.  I really can't focus on anything... eesh.  Are these symptoms all things to be worried about, or products of anxiety and stress?  Have other experienced similar?  I've been taking my temperature constantly... now that can't be normal.

  

Thanks.

[Matty the Damned]

Mate,

We're suggesting you test on a technicality. You topped, the condom broke, you pulled out. Honestly, you're gonna test negative at 13 weeks.

So let's not blow this out of proportion, eh?

Symptoms are no indicator of HIV infection. In fact fully half of those infected have no symptoms at all.

So do as our Ann says - get tested at 13 weeks but don't turn in this into a whole thing. Please take the time to read our Welcome Thread and follow the links to our Lessons to learn more about how HIV is and is not transmitted.

MtD

/edited to correct typo/

[pg-brit]

Matty, mate, thanks for the grounding    I'm gonna chill.