POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: mr.nerves on May 09, 2008, 05:45:21 pm
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Hi to all you wonderful people out there who take the time to help us scared posters understand our situations, and thank you for what you've already done for everyone. I'm hoping you can inform me such that I can relax a bit, as I'm wound up tight as a drum with worry.
In this other thread ( http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=16349.0 ), the original poster asked about risk associated with a cut on the penis which may not have been covered by his condom during anal sex. I'm in the same general situation, and I just want a little confirmation to make sure I'm understanding.
Quoting one of the answers from that thread: "You used a condom which is exactly what you're supposed to do. The nick or whatever you had on your penis would not have exposed you to HIV transmission IF the person you were with is even HIV+. It is through the urethra or the underside of a foreskin if you're not circumcised that you'd be susceptible to transmission."
Is this generally accepted as correct? I'm in a similar situation. Specifically, my cut was near the base of my penis. I suspect it may have been bleeding during anal intercourse, and that it was in contact with the anus and shallow portion of the sphincter. Assuming that the condom didn't cover this, is it still not a risk? Can the non-risk (I assume there has to be some risk ) be quantified at all? Also, I suspect that the condom may have come partially off/rolled back up again (though pretty sure the head of my penis was covered throughout).
I won't bore you with my list of "symptoms" (what I hope is a nasty case of anxiety+a garden variety virus) since I understand that isn't the way this forum is run, but suffice it to say that I would be relieved to hear that I am truly at low risk. I'm a numbers guy so something quantifiable would be best, if available. General pats on the shoulder and bets in my favor would be nice, too, though!
Best of health and happiness to all.
Thanks,
Mr. Nerves
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Yes, the information given in that thread is correct;.
You were not at risk of HIV transmission in the encounter you describe, given that the head of your penis was covered. You'd have known if it had come off.
You don't need to test.
MtD
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Nerves, you're bothering yourself over what read like a lot of what ifs to me.
Condoms don't roll off of the head of the penis and then somehow roll back on. So your guessing that the latter happened just doesn't hold up.
As for the "cut" on the base of your penis, I suspect this was from shaving or some such. In any case, I have never known through either knicks, bruises, cuts or the like for transmission to take place. HIV is a fragile virus and it needs a comfy, receptive setting such as a vagina or an anus, neither of which fit the worry scenario you're cooking up.
We don't get into quantifying numbers. We deal with evaluating whether was a real risk or not and in your case I would say there wasn't. And no, I don't think testing is necessary.
Cheers,
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Thanks, guys!
I'm not under the impression that the condom rolled off altogether, pretty sure that the head of my penis was covered throughout. If I had to guess, I would say that the cut came from the long fingernail of my sex partner when she reached back to make sure the condom was placed properly and fully unrolled onto the shaft. The fact that she cared enough to try to verify and ensure that is an encouraging sign to me.
Andy, I'm understanding what you're saying about the condom not mysteriously putting itself back on to my penis fully. On the other hand, I suspect the reach-around that she (a transsexual prostitute) did was the point at which my penile skin was was broken -- she attempted to verify the condom placement, and in so doing, cut my penis. If that happened, and if the cut subsequently was exposed to the lining of the anus/sphincter, wouldn't that present a risk?
I hope and am trying to believe that I have some other illness which is similar in symptoms to primary HIV infection/seroconversion/ARS. I understand that you all think this is low risk, I'm not trolling, but I am trying to get a handle on the magnitude of risk.
I understand numbers for specific situations aren't available, and I'm not sure anything I've written merits a response, just wanted to try to tell the story more fully after your feedback. If you have the time/inclination, I would appreciate it. Otherwise, I will go on my anxiety-filled way and leave thanks here, now, for what you've already shared with me.
Regards,
Mr. Nerves.
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We don't think your situation is "low risk", we're saying it's "no risk".
Ya dig?
MtD
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Knives cut. Fingernails scratch. We've got the scene quite clearly.
You're working yourself up over nada. Really.
Give it up, take a breath, let go and get on with your life. Really.