Help in assessing my risk

[Blake]

First of all thank you so much for all your help, advice, time and knowledge that you share with us. I have concerns and questions about HIV and I hope you can help me assess my risks. Last July or August of 2010 I had unprotected sexual intercourse with my girlfriend. That was the first and last time we performed unprotected vaginal intercourse. On August or September of 2010 also I had an accidental needle prick with a used syringe with a needle (at my workplace which is medical). Since that time I always make sure to wear condoms when having vaginal sex with my girlfriend. But we do not use condoms with oral sex (unprotected fellatio and cunnilingnus). Last August of 2011 (almost 11 months after possible risks), I decided to have myself checked since I had a risk last 2010, which is unprotected vaginal sex and needle prick accident (needle that was already used in injections) and I got negative (non reactive) results for HIV screening, Hepa B screening and Hepa C screening. So I think I have nothing to worry since I have read that the window period is 3 months to 6 months, and my test is almost after 11 months of possible exposure. But since I got educated with HIV I became very cautious and afraid, especially reading a lot of HIV stories of people and how they got it, It made me think if I have really nothing to worry. I have no idea of my girlfriend’s HIV status but according to her I am her first experience of oral and vaginal sex. But she admitted to me that she got a needle prick accident (needle that was already used) also in her workplace (medical field) and she couldn’t recall if she included HIV screening test when she checked for her hepatitis B test. My question is how safe is condom sex? We normally don’t use lubricants and most of the time I checked my condoms after the intercourse by pouring water on it. But not all the time. Is it possible I had a condom failure and didn’t noticed it? And I’m really confused with unprotected oral sex (Both Cunnilingnus and Fellatio), because in other HIV websites and forums they consider it a risk, and according to some experts there are documented cases of HIV transmission thru unprotected oral sex. Right now I don’t know If I have to take another test to put this behind. Thank you so much for your time. I wish you all the best guys. 

[Andy Velez]

Blake, you have reliably tested negative for HIV so you can put that worry to rest. And except where an organ transplant is involved or longterm intravenous drug use or treatment for a disease such as cancer, with those exceptions a negative result at 3 months is considered conclusive and reliable.

If a condom fails it is not about itty bitty breaks as people sometimes fear. No, it's very clear what has happened because the whole thing looks like a hoop with fringe on your penis.

Receiving oral is absolutely not a risk. Giving is risky only in theory because your saliva is a very effective natural barrier to the transmission of viable HIV.

I don't see any cause for concern for you at this point.

Until if and when you and your gf go monogamous and test negative together, until such time you need to always use condoms for vaginal and anal intercourse. 

[Blake]

Thank you so much, Mr. Velez for your reply, you really help a lot of people. Does this mean I can go on and forget all these things and focus on my life. Do you think I need to suggest to my girlfriend to get tested for HIV? thank you so much. Take care..

[Ann]

Blake,

If she's not sure whether or not she was tested for hiv after her occupational needle stick, she should ask to see her records or just test and get it over with. Occupational transmission is rare, but it does occasionally happen.

Ann