Unprotected High Risk Exposure to HIV Positive Person (Please help)

[Inpain]

I am a heterosexual male. I know a lot of the information I know I´m about to share lot but I am in a very tough spot. I had a high risk encounter with someone who turned out to be HIV positive. She had lied to me about her status at the time and a week later when I texted on when she got tested. This was unprotected vaginal sex. We initially used protection for some time but she took it off after assuring me that she is ok.I asked for PEP but this was denied to me because I could not prove to the hospital that she was infected. At the time, I didn´t know that she was infected but sought this just to make sure. I have had some ARS symptoms. She informed me a month after the encounter that she is positive. On the day she did, I had not gotten results for my test at 4 weeks. The test was a duo 4th generation test that came out negative. I have been told I need to do more tests. I had mild throat irritation 5 days after the exposure and it has come and gone, but I have generally had globus. There is also confusing information on symptoms: is it 2-4? 2-6? or 2-8? Just wondering how reliable my test is. When symptoms are prevalent, is the test likely to show positive? I am currently experiencing a severe backache and sometimes a headache. Thank you.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

I know a lot of the information

She informed me a month after the encounter that she is positive.

You chose to have condomless intercourse with this woman, knowing that condomless intercourse is an HIV risk. Then a month later she tested positive and was kind and polite enough to inform you.

Is this correct?

I asked for PEP but this was denied to me because I could not prove to the hospital that she was infected.

Good, taking PEP a month after exposure is pointless.

I had mild throat irritation 5 days after the exposure and it has come and gone, but I have generally had globus.

I am currently experiencing a severe backache and sometimes a headache

Nothing to do with HIV from the concerned encounter. See your healthcare provider and treat this and I hope you feel better soon. (Don't ask again about symptoms)

I have been told I need to do more tests

Test to confirm your HIV status at six weeks post-exposure with a blood-draw (lab) HIV antibody test. The result at this time will rarely change, and retesting at three months is generally not needed.


Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Inpain]

Thank you for replying. I understand your point about the risk and I was simply trying to get an indicator of the likelihood of my test being accurate or false at this point. I know it was a risk and tried to get pep within 72 hours but in the country I am in, they require proof that someone is definetly infected. I was drunk and made a mistake, partly influenced by her word and I am in a hole now. I know none of this matters now and that´s why I am in nothing but a zone of despair.

[Jim Allen]

It's simple, test at six weeks and in the meantime focus on your normal life. No drama is required and it wasn't a "High Risk" as you put it, that's just being dramatic, it was just risk.

Next time use condoms and perhaps drink less.

[Inpain]

Hi Jim,
I hope all is well with you. I did my test at six weeks (45 days since exposure) yesterday from the main infectious disease center in my country - blood drawn from the vein for an antigen and antibody test (4th generation). The result was negative.
I´ve had almost all ARS symptoms from week four to six of numbing headaches, nausea, chills, shivers, intense muscle aches and pain in my joints. The only thing missing was rash, swollen lymph nodes, throwing up and diarrhoea. My throat was also mildly sore - confirmed by the doctor that I was fighting an infection but didn't test for which. The symptoms lasted a week and literally made me stop work - never happened before. Except for the backpain which has subsided but went on for two weeks. I know you don't like to discuss symptoms here but it does not seem like a very sound approach given the scientific knowledge of how the body responds to infection. Particularly when this can be tied to a clear risk. Given all my symptoms, should my test have shown a positive result by the time it was taken if I'm infected? What do we know about late seroconverters? How conclusive is my result given my risk? Furthermore, I know the onus is(was) on me to test but the woman I had sex with has changed tack on her status but her word counts for nought now.
I'd like to get on with my life from this episode but there is so much conflicting information on conclusivity. The center said it is clear but I've never been physically floored like the last two weeks. How likely is my result likely to change? I´m not immunocompromised or taking any medications or treatments like chemo.
Thank you.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

Let me repeat this, your symptoms have nothing to do with HIV, so there is nothing more for me to discuss with you about this.

As for your HIV status, you had condomless intercourse and the only way to confirm your HIV status is by testing. The clinic has now tested you and the result is non-reactive as expected.

They have said the result is clear meaning you don't have HIV and they are correct, the result is about 99.98%+ at this stage and in clinical settings this is even closer to 100%, hence repeating isn't required. If you must, you can retest in a few weeks but it would only be for peace of mind as the result will not change.

I´m not immunocompromised or taking any medications or treatments like chemo.

What do we know about late seroconverters?

Massive amounts but with testing nowadays it's largely irrelevant and what little remains doesn't apply to you.

In short, the result will not change unless you have had ongoing exposures.

her word counts for nought now.

This isn't anything new.

Whatever someone might claim about their HIV or STI status is meaningless. Hence regardless of what they say you should consider reducing your risks by consistently & correctly using condoms, in addition, you could consider PrEP as an additional layer of HIV prevention.