Risk Assessment and Questions

[Need Educating]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I am sure this gets very repititive for you but you do a great service for everyone.

One night I had an encounter with an old friend. We deep kissed very hard, I bit and sucked on her nipples very hard and not sure if I drew blood or not, fingered and had mutual masturbation and then received oral sex from her to completion. I have bad dry skin and my gums tend to bleed and I had just brushed my teeth. After the fact she then tells me that she has genital herpes. I asked her about HIV and I cannot get a straight answer she only tells me off and then tells me we didnt do anything.

4 weeks after the encounter I got mouth sores/ulcers and a fever though no rash or anything else. the week after my friend got the same fever and mouth sores and we had only casual contact. Every help line I call tells me it was a no risk situation but now I feel fatigued all the time, I have joint pain, my skin is breaking out all over and I am really worried. After telling my current girlfriend what happened she had an HIV test at 7 1/2 week post our last exposure more to ease her mind even though my doctor told both of us we did not need testing. My questions are as follows:

1. I know her test was not conclusive but is it a good indicator of her status. 4th generation was used. I was worried I had infected her.

2. From what I understand ARS symptoms are not contagious? Does the fact my viral mouth infection was caught by a close friend right after rule out it being ARS?

3. Are any of my symptoms now associated with HIV 4 months post exposure?

4. Did I even have a risk and would/is testing needed? I have scheduled a rapid test just to be sure.

Thank you again, as I feel awful but you help people on this forum get educated on the true facts.

[Andy Velez]

You are worrying needlessly. Absolutely nothing you have reported would have even remotely put you at risk for HIV transmission. The only confirmed risks the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. Everything else is risky only in theory.

You need to read our lesson on Transmission. There's a link to it in the Welcome thread which opens this section. This epidemic is going to be around for a long time to come. By becoming better educated you can protect yourself from the real risks and spare yourself worrying needlessly about other things.

Cheers.

[Need Educating]

Thank you very much. I guess my symptoms are caused by anxiety and guild.

One last question, would you suggest testing after this exposure?

Thanks again

[Andy Velez]

Absolutely no need for testing. No risk = no need for testing.

[Need Educating]

Hi Andy,

I know you said no need for testing but now it has been about 5 months post exposure and I am having more symptoms. My glands are swollen though not sore under my jaw and I have thrush on my tongue confirmed. I am very worried and scheduled to go for a test now wednesday but I cant help but worry. I also am getting recurring cold sores for the first time.

[Andy Velez]

OK. Get your test and collect the inevtiable negative result. Hopefully that will allow you to accept that HIV is not your problem.

Your symptoms are something to discuss with a doctor. We cannot diagnose anything in this setting.

And yes, I do expect you will test negative.