Intoxicated encounter with a Bangkok worker

[AnxietyThroughTheRoof]

I write this with great shame.  I was in Bangkok for work and had too much to drink.  I ended up with a sex worker in my hotel.  At this point my memory is spotty from the alcohol but I do believe I remember most of it.  She did put a condom on me and the sex did not last long... maybe a minute.  I was just too tired and went to sleep.  I woke up the next morning and she was still there.  I treated her with respect but after she left I lost it.  I found the condom on the floor and it started to worry me that maybe I took it off and had sex?  I don't recall doing that but my anxiety has me very worried.

I took PeP for 27 days, every single day at the exact time.  I followed the schedule perfectly.  I lost 1 days dose somewhere so that's why I didn't take it 28 days.  I started the PeP around 30 hours after exposure.  I actually did not sleep for 2 days because I was so scared.

I got tested 4 weeks after exposure right after PeP stopped.... and then again 11 weeks after exposure (so about 2 months after the PeP) was finished.

My question is... The test that was just short of 3 months after exposure and 2 months after PeP... could that have yielded a false positive?  I know the answer is to get tested again, which I will eventually do but I just wanted to ask this question to see if the 11 week test is likely to be correct.  That would relieve a lot of stress... but please tell me an honest answer regardless of my anxiety levels.

Thank you so much in advance for your replies... I greatly appreciate you taking the time.

[Jeff G]

You had protected sex and that was not a risk for HIV ... you took PEP and never had an exposure so if this was your only concern 3 months prior to testing than you do not have HIV and do not need to test again for this specific incident .

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 did not have a risk and do not need to test for this specific incident , 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

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

[AnxietyThroughTheRoof]

Thanks Jeff... being intoxicated is what really scares me.  I just fear I did something and don't remember it.  That's why I'm so nervous and wanted to ask about the timing of my first 2 tests with the PeP regimine. 

Trust me I won't be having any sex without protection unless it is with a wife of mine.  The stress it has caused me has really altered my life.

[Jeff G]

PEP is very effective at preventing HIV so even if you did have a risk you are going to be OK ... PEP pushes the testing window period to 6 weeks past pep and any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm . Either way ... risk or not you should expect a negative test when you confirm at 12 weeks past pep .

You really should not be worried ... its going to be OK .

Given the fact that the risk fir the insertive partner is lower and that condom breaks or brief insertions rarely ever lead to HIV infections ... and being on PEP . You are worrying over nothing at this point, so relax .

[AnxietyThroughTheRoof]

Jeff... thank you for the reply.  It encourages me to go get tested only for the sake of my anxiety.  I'm confident that my results won't change and I will get a negative result from our discussion.  I just needed to get over my fear to go back (even if it isn't necessary).  Thanks again!

[Jeff G]

You are very welcome !