Had a recent exposure to HIV, now am afraid that I may be infected.

[Duane City]

I had unprotected sex with a man for the first time on May 30th, wherein I was the vers/top.  I also performed oral sex on him, he tried to penetrate me, but with not much success.  I penetrated him several times over a few hours. I also performed the act of rimming for a few minutes. 

He ejaculated on my abdomen, as did I (I have no wounds or the like on my abdomen).  We engaged in kissing and foreplay for hours leading upto penetration.  A few hours later during conversation, he tells me that he is HIV positive but undetectable and has been on Atripla for two years.  I was tested a few days later, which of course was negative.

On Thursday of this week, June 9th, I developed a small pimple like rash on my pecs and shoulders.  However, I also used a different soap on Thursday morning at the gym.  I am hypersensitive to soap.  I often get folliculitis, and this is the type of rash that I have. This rash itches mildly; almost a warm itch.

I must also note that two days after the exposure, on June 1st, I had swollen glands and was diagnosed with strep throat, wherein I was put on a Z-pack.  I currently do not have a fever, diarrhea, night sweats, or swollen glands. I actually feel fine, minus the rash and worry.

I guess my fear is this; being that there was semen present and he is positive, what are the odds of me being positive as well.  Will anti-bodies be present once a rash is present? (which now is mostly cleared)  Is it too late to take PEP?  Should I take the oral swab test again?  I do have an appointment to have blood work done on June 13th.

Thank you so very much for any peace of mind thats you may offer.

[Andy Velez]

I had unprotected sex with a man for the first time on May 30th, wherein I was the vers/top.  I also performed oral sex on him, he tried to penetrate me, but with not much success.  I penetrated him several times over a few hours. I also performed the act of rimming for a few minutes. 

He ejaculated on my abdomen, as did I (I have no wounds or the like on my abdomen).  We engaged in kissing and foreplay for hours leading upto penetration.  A few hours later during conversation, he tells me that he is HIV positive but undetectable and has been on Atripla for two years.  I was tested a few days later, which of course was negative.

On Thursday of this week, June 9th, I developed a small pimple like rash on my pecs and shoulders.  However, I also used a different soap on Thursday morning at the gym.  I am hypersensitive to soap.  I often get folliculitis, and this is the type of rash that I have. This rash itches mildly; almost a warm itch.

I must also note that two days after the exposure, on June 1st, I had swollen glands and was diagnosed with strep throat, wherein I was put on a Z-pack.  I currently do not have a fever, diarrhea, night sweats, or swollen glands. I actually feel fine, minus the rash and worry.

I guess my fear is this; being that there was semen present and he is positive, what are the odds of me being positive as well.  Will anti-bodies be present once a rash is present? (which now is mostly cleared)  Is it too late to take PEP?  Should I take the oral swab test again?  I do have an appointment to have blood work done on June 13th.

Thank you so very much for any peace of mind thats you may offer.

Duane, rimming is not a risk and giving oral only theoretically risky. In the real world of HIV we know the only confirmed risks sexually for HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. So yes, you did have a risk. It is less risky for the insertive partner, but it is a risk.

None of your symptoms are in anyway HIV specific. And symptoms are never a reliable means of knowing your HIV status. You need to get tested at 13 weeks and hopefully will get a negative result. At 13 weeks a negative is conclusive.

In the future you need to make sure that the insertive partner is always wearing a condom. No exceptions.

Good luck with your test. From what you are reporting the odds are in your favor that you will test negative.

[Duane City]

Thank you so very much Andy for your timely and sensitive reply. 

I sincerely appreciate the fact that I was able to at least find some peace in learning that my risk is low, even though it is a risk.  With that, I have learned a very important lesson. 

Thank you again.

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome. Best of luck with your test. Odds are in your favor.

[Ann]

Duane,

You seriously need to stop having unprotected intercourse. While as a top, your risk is lower, but lower risk is NOT no risk. There are plenty of men in the positive sections of these forums who identify as "total tops" but who nevertheless ended up hiv positive.

In addition to what Andy said, the earliest you can test is at six weeks. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. A six week negative is highly unlikely to change, but MUST be confirmed at the three month point.

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.

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!

Good luck with your testing.

Ann

[Duane City]

Thank you Ann. 

I agree that what I did was childish and foolish.  This was the first time that I have ever had sex with a man and the only time I have unsafe sex. He and I were drinking and one thing led to another.

I have only been with one other partner.  My wife.  So not only did I put myself at risk, I put her at risk.  I have not had sex with her since my exposure and we have agreed not to engage in any sexual practice until I have the chance to be tested at 6 weeks. 

I am regretful for what I have done but now I must face the consequences. 

Again Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. 

[Duane City]

Ok now I am offically freaked out.

Today, I received a call from the sister of the man that exposed me to HIV.  She went through his phone and called eveyone in his contact list. She told me that he suffered a brain aneurysm on Wednesday of last week and was pronounced dead on Friday.  The thought is that the Atripla may have been the underlining cause.  His funeral is this Friday.

I did take a blood test yesterday and also another mouth swab.  The swab was negative, I get the blood results back on Monday. I know that the tests are premature and will probably have been invain.  My rash is gone and I still have no Google suggested symptoms. I am still hoping for the best.  I have a blood test scheduled for June 23rd, which will be 24 days after possible exposure. 

I have been trying not to think about it and going to the gym nonstop just to focus on wellness.  I feel good about being negative, but his death scared the heck out of me..

[Andy Velez]

That certainly is shocking to hear about the sudden death of the guy you were with.

Given what you have described sexually of the incident, the odds are still in your favor that you are going to test negative. At 6 weeks a negative would not be conclusive but it would point further toward the likelihood of continuing  to test negative at 3 months.

Good luck and keep us posted.