HIV exposure or paranoia?

[Jolive]

Hello. I would love an outside perspective because I can’t tell if I’m being paranoid or logical at this point.

I topped a Guy I met on tinder Sunday night without a condom. We went to the clinic together two days later to get tested but won’t have results back for another week. He tells me he’s been on prep since his last negative test result in July — and that he went to the clinic with me so he could get more prep because he doesn’t live in the United States and will run out of pills before he goes back home.

I still was paranoid so I asked him to send me a photo of his negative July test result and his prep pill bottle. Which he did, but then got mad at me for acting how I was acting and said he doesn’t want to see me again.

I have a lot of shame for not using a condom with him. If you were in this situation, would you still go to the clinic and get on a 28 day course of PEP? Why am I still freaking out that maybe he’s lying or something is amiss.

[Jim Allen]

Hi

I have a lot of shame for not using a condom with him.

Look call it a mistake if you want but learn and move on, life is about making mistakes and trust me you are not the first person or the last to have unprotected intercourse. Don't beat yourself up. 

With regards to your risk and the situation, the only test results that ever matter are your own. I could send you a picture of a negative result and I am most certainly living with HIV, also a true negative result only means he was negative some 3 months ago.

As for PEP well taking PEP is up to you and your Doctor, do note that if you are considering PEP you should start taking this as soon as possible after exposure starting no later than 48-72 hours post exposure. It's up to you at the end of the day to decide to take PEP for this incident.

Whatever you do, do test at 6 and 13 weeks post exposure.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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[Jolive]

Hi. 12 hours after topping a guy without a condom, I took a Truvada pill as a precautionary measure (I had a bottle that I never ended up using left over from a past experience)

The next day I go to the clinic they give me a rapid HIV test, which comes back negative. I am told I can start taking Truvada as Prep or, since I just had unprotected sex and was within the 72 hour window period, take truvada and isentress together as PEP.

I took one pill of isentress that day, but started feeling very lightheaded and nauseous...so I texted the guy i slept with and asked him to verify some of the details he told me with regards to his sexual health. He sends me a photograph of his last Neg HIV test result in July and a photo of his Prep prescription bottle. He claims he has been on prep for 3 months.

I decided to discontinue taking the isentress and am now only taking the truvada. But I am freaking out that I made a mistake...what if this guy wasn't consistent with his prep use, what if he has a truvada resistant strain of HIV, what if he's super promiscuous, a liar etc...he got very upset that I was asking so many questions....clearly I don't trust him if i am running these narratives in my head.

I'm so scared that I should have continued taking the isentress as well, and now taking truvada alone I could still get infected if he has HIV. It's been roughly 90 hours since the exposure, so is it even worth me getting isentress again...I flushed the isentress starter pack I was given down the toilet like an idiot. I would have to go back to the clinic...which I will do if it is necessary to keeping me from catching HIV.

Sorry if this is a mess of text. I am as I said on the verge of a panic attack over this. Thank you for your help

[Ptrk3]

Since you did engage in unprotected sex, you are potentially at risk for HIV infection, but the particular act in which you engaged, though risky, is not as risky as other activities, so keep that in mind.

Truvada by itself can be effective as PEP and/or PrEP.

Here are just a couple of links on the subject:

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=44659.0

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/hiv-truvada-for-hiv-prevention-experts-weight-in-020714

You should really discuss your situation with your healthcare provider, in order to get the assurances you need.

You might also wish to discuss with your healthcare provider ways to deal with your anxiety.

[Jolive]

thanks. Given the circumstances, would you think it wise or unnecessary to go back to the clinic to get isentress?

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Look the doctor has prescribed truvada, it's commonly used as PEP and contains two powerful HIV drugs. If you feel you want to go back it is up to you. All we can tell you is it's commonly prescribed like this.

Also please keep your posts in this one thread going forward. Thank you

Jim