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Author Topic: Questions about possible exposure  (Read 3707 times)

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Offline jvern2012

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Questions about possible exposure
« on: April 24, 2012, 08:12:51 am »
I recently found out that I have genital herpes. I have my first out break the other day. During that initial outbreak I was having sex with a female and did have a condom on.

I was reading online and am confused, it says that if you have genital herpes you are likely to catch HIV quicker than if you dont. Since I was having the starting symptoms (Which I didnt know) am I likely to contract the virus from the other person if they do have HIV?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2012, 08:45:40 am »
You are worrying needlessly. The important fact in your report is that you were using a condom for intercourse. The only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. Condoms provide very effective protection.

It is true that having an outbreak of herpes is an indication that your immune system is down some. But you would only be more vulnerable to HIV during an outbreak if you were having unprotected intercourse.

So in your case you were well protected and there is no cause for further concern this time about HIV. Nor any need for testing. Just keep using condoms everytime for intercourse.

Andy Velez

Offline Ann

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2012, 08:53:34 am »
Vern,

The only time herpes is going to make you more susceptible to hiv infection is if you have an outbreak on your penis and you have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. But you're not going to do that, are you, since you'd be passing your herpes on to someone else. Keep your herpes to yourself!

Herpes can make you feel generally unwell just before, during and after an outbreak, particularly when it's a relatively new infection. That's one of the reasons why (oral) herpes is also called "cold sores" or "fever blisters". Not only does herpes take advantage of your immune system being busy with another infection, but it can also make you feel like you have a mild case of flu, including having fevers.

There is a drug called acylovir you can take either as a prophylactic (to prevent outbreaks) or you can just take it when you feel an outbreak coming on to speed the healing process. Over the counter creams don't really do much. Talk to your doctor about acyclovir - your body will thank you and it will help prevent you giving it to others.

You have not had a risk for hiv infection, regardless of having herpes. You did the right thing and wore a condom. Condoms have been proven to prevent hiv infection. There have been three long-term studies of couples where one is positive and one is negative. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

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 sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

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

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST SPECIFICALLY OVER THIS PROTECTED ENCOUNTER, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline jvern2012

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2012, 12:50:41 pm »
Thank you Ann and Andy for your responses. My biggest concern is the out break on the base area ( around pubic area) this area is not covered by the condom. Could the external fluids from a woman transmit into that area??
« Last Edit: April 24, 2012, 04:48:51 pm by jvern2012 »

Offline jvern2012

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2012, 04:51:45 pm »
Thank you Ann and Andy for your responses. My biggest concern is the out break on the base area ( around pubic area) this area is not covered by the condom. Could the external fluids from a woman transmit into that area??

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2012, 05:06:34 pm »
Thank you Ann and Andy for your responses. My biggest concern is the out break on the base area ( around pubic area) this area is not covered by the condom. Could the external fluids from a woman transmit into that area??

Absolutely not. The vulnerable area in the male genital region is the urethra, the tip of the penis. That's the entry point for HIV and if the head of the penis is covered, you are protected. Even with a rash or bumps.
"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline jvern2012

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2012, 06:00:07 pm »
I am confused... I understood that herpes raises the risk of HIV infection. I understand that if I have a condom on that I cannot catch the disease. The concern is the area around my pubic (not the shaft) is what has a break out and was not covered by a condom. Would the vaginal fluids from within the woman cause an increased risk since these herpe sores were not covered?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2012, 07:12:34 pm »
No, there was no increased risk because of those sores. HIV is a fragile virus and exposed to air the small changes in temperature and ph and moisture levels quickly damage HIV and render it unable to infect.

You're worrying needlessly. It is not transmitted in that manner. Really.
Andy Velez

Offline jvern2012

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2012, 07:19:00 pm »
Thank you Andy.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2012, 07:24:35 pm »
You're welcome. On your way without any cause for worrying...
Andy Velez

Offline Ann

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2012, 06:58:18 am »
vern,

You need to not have sex when you have a genital herpes outbreak that can't be covered by a condom. Not because of hiv, but because you'll give your partner genital herpes. Do you really want to be responsible for that? No blowjobs either - genital herpes can be transmitted to the mouth (and oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals as well).

You'll just have to exercise some self-discipline and abstain from sex while you have an outbreak. If you find that difficult and/or you have frequent outbreaks, talk to your doctor about taking acyclovir as a prophylactic to prevent outbreaks. It's available as a generic, so you should be able to afford it.

Stress can bring on an outbreak, so chill out. You weren't at risk for hiv.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline jvern2012

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Re: Questions about possible exposure
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2012, 01:22:34 pm »
Hi Ann,

Of course I wouldnt think of having sex during an outbreak. I just didnt know I was having one since I never noticed it before.

Thank you again to everyone for the responses. 

 


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