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HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: WWFStern on November 29, 2009, 01:07:07 pm

Title: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on November 29, 2009, 01:07:07 pm
I recently had a risky sexual experience and, ever since, I have been very concerned about possible HIV acquisition. My risky behavior (over a three-day period) included receiving unprotected oral sex (from a woman) four times, three of which continued to completion; performing oral sex on her two or three times (for a couple minutes each time); and unprotected vaginal intercourse. I had been wearing a condom, but, at some point during intercourse (while she was on top), the condom slipped off entirely. So, when I withdrew after climax, the condom was still inside her.

The woman is of unknown HIV status. She told me she tested negative in March 2008 as well as March 2009. She also told me that, prior to our encounters in October, she had not had sex for six months. I have no reason to disbelieve her.

Two weeks afterward, I had symptoms that, to me, were concerning for Acute Retroviral Syndrome. On a Friday night, I developed a fever. The next day, I had little appetite and a fever in the evening. I also felt feverish and had chills Sunday evening, although I had felt better earlier in the day. The most prominent symptom, though, was eye pain, especially when I rolled them or moved them from side to side. My eye pain lasted from Saturday (the day after the fever developed) to Thursday. The fever was gone by Monday... so only three days for that.

My HIV anxiety was pretty intense, so I decided to get tested at the 30-day mark, which I did. I went to my local free clinic here in New York and got a finger-stick HIV antibody blood test. It was one of those 10-minute rapid-result tests that required only a drop of blood. It came back negative. Now, I know that, for a test to be definitive and conclusive, you need to wait three months. However, my first question is this:

Even though, for a conclusive result, you need to wait three months, would a 30-day antibody test be considered a very good indicator? I have heard anywhere from 75% to 90+% of people seroconvert by 30 days, but don't know if that is accurate. How encouraging is a negative 30-day test?

Because my anxiety is still present, I also plan to get a 45-day antibody test at Planned Parenthood, another of the rapid-result variety. So, my second question is a variant of the first: Would a 45-day negative test be considered a very good indicator, without being definitive or conclusive? I certainly hope it remains negative - if it does remain negative, at 45 days, how encouraging would that be?

Thank you to anybody who lends insight.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on November 29, 2009, 01:58:47 pm
First of all the only definitely risky element in what you have reported was the brief period during which the condom slipped off during intercourse. Getting oral is absolutely no risk and giving oral is only risky theoretically. In the real world of HIV transmission just doesn't happen that way.

So we are essentially talking about a brief period of risk. HIV is harder to transmit from female to male. Given this was a single incident during which you were partially protected the risk to you was even lower than it would have been ordinarily.

Assuming you test negative at 45 days, (which is what I expect will happen), when you do a final test at 13 weeks that is very likely to just give you another negative result.

There is absolutely nothing in your symptoms that is in anyway HIV specific. If they continue you should discuss them with your doctor.

I expect you to come out of this incident OK.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on November 29, 2009, 02:39:25 pm
Thanks for the prompt response!

As for the reported symptoms, yes, they are long gone. The fever disappeared within 3 days. The eye pain disappeared in a bit less than a week. Neither has resurfaced since.

Your words provided some reassurance, though I guess I will know more after my 45-day antibody test.

I am also partially reassured by this information, which I came across on the New York State Department of Health website:

"With the HIV antibody tests used in New York State, virtually all people who are infected will test positive within one month of being infected. Most people will test positive even sooner."

http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/facts/questions/testing.htm (http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/facts/questions/testing.htm)

This makes me think (hope?) that my 30-day result was indicative.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on November 29, 2009, 03:58:08 pm
That is very reassuring. Nevertheless I still suggest getting re-tested at 13 weeks just to be sure.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on November 30, 2009, 08:25:22 pm
I still definitely plan on my 45-day and my 13-week, for sure.

One other question: Is there any known correlation between ARS' appearance and/or disappearance and detectable antibodies?

Like, for example, suppose one were to be antibody tested one week after ARS symptoms resolved themselves. Would simply that fact make testing positive likely? Or is there no such known connection?
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on November 30, 2009, 08:45:44 pm
Yes, once ARS has occured it would definitely make testing positive more likely.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on December 03, 2009, 07:55:39 pm
I just wanted to say that I went to Planned Parenthood this evening and got my second HIV test, and it turned out negative.

So, now, I had a negative fingerstick test at 30 days and, with today's trip, a negative fingerstick test at 46 days.

I'm feeling more reassured now, especially since I am a few days past that six-week mark.

Thanks, especially to you Andy, for the replies.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on December 03, 2009, 09:58:22 pm
Excellent. That is very good news indeed. With that negative in hand it is very, very likely you will continue to test negative at 13 weeks.

Get busy with other things now and the rest of the waiting time will pass more easily than you may imagine is possible.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on December 05, 2009, 03:35:26 pm
I'll do my best!
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on January 28, 2010, 08:23:36 pm
My risky encounter was October 18. So, I took my definitive and conclusive antibody test tonight.

NEGATIVE!

I'm very relieved.

Thanks for the answers several weeks back.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on June 01, 2010, 09:30:51 pm
Although you have answered the question about whether receiving a blowjob is a risk many times over, and I do not expect a different answer from you in this case, I figure I'll ask anyway, since my story contains a slight "wrinkle" to differentiate it.

I received a blowjob, which lasted about five or six minutes.

After the blowjob, my penis felt a bit sore. When I went into the bathroom and pulled back the skin from the head, I noticed a small abrasion that was bleeding. Admittedly, it was a tiny abrasion -- the "bleeding" part was probably two-pin-heads wide -- but it was bleeding nonetheless. It was located right under the head of the penis.

Would there be any HIV acquisition risk from receiving a blowjob and, in the process of getting it, suffering a small, bleeding abrasion beneath the penis head?

The woman performing the blowjob is of unknown status. All vaginal activity was condom-protected.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Ann on June 01, 2010, 09:40:32 pm
WW,

Saliva is not infectious, so no, it doesn't matter if you had abrasions on your dick when it got sucked. Getting a blowjob is NOT a risk for hiv infection. End of story.

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

Ann
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Matty the Damned on June 01, 2010, 09:40:59 pm
Although you have answered the question about whether receiving a blowjob is a risk many times over, and I do not expect a different answer from you in this case, I figure I'll ask anyway, since my story contains a slight "wrinkle" to differentiate it.

I received a blowjob, which lasted about five or six minutes.

After the blowjob, my penis felt a bit sore. When I went into the bathroom and pulled back the skin from the head, I noticed a small abrasion that was bleeding. Admittedly, it was a tiny abrasion -- the "bleeding" part was probably two-pin-heads wide -- but it was bleeding nonetheless. It was located right under the head of the penis.

Would there be any HIV acquisition risk from receiving a blowjob and, in the process of getting it, suffering a small, bleeding abrasion beneath the penis head?

The woman performing the blowjob is of unknown status. All vaginal activity was condom-protected.

The only wrinkles here are those on your ballsack.

Your situation is no different to anyone else who has received a blowjob, protected or otherwise. You were not at risk, you do not need to be tested for HIV, abrasions on your willy are irrelevant.

MtD
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on June 06, 2010, 04:28:30 pm
So, then, even if actively open cuts and/or abrasions are present on the penis, exposure to saliva poses no risk at all?
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on June 06, 2010, 04:30:27 pm
How many ways do you need to hear it said that getting a blowjob presents absolutely no risk whatsoever, nicks, bruises and what you throw into the mix.

Read this carefully: NO RISK. Period.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: WWFStern on June 06, 2010, 04:32:07 pm
Thanks.
Title: Re: Concerned About A Recent Encounter - Two Questions
Post by: Andy Velez on June 07, 2010, 08:36:57 am
You're welcome. Get on with your life.