HSV2 Risk Assessment

[Cc2020]

Hi,

I (male) have HSV2 and everywhere tells me that this increases the risk of transmission regardless if I’m having an outbreak or not. And that HSV2 brings extra CD4 cells to the genital area (my concern is the shaft) that could possibly make the shaft of the penis an infection route.

Well I have had protected vaginal intercourse (I was not experiencing a visible outbreak as I’m on daily suppressive medication) with a few women (11 weeks ago) and sometimes the ring of the condom moves up the shaft towards the head(exposing some of the uncovered shaft to the interior of her vagina) and after awhile I have to readjust it towards the base of the penis as much as possible to regain coverage. The head of the penis was always covered.

I wasn’t really concerned until about 2-3 weeks after the incidents I started having neurological issues such as blurred vision/dizziness, muscle-aches/joint aches/muscle-stiffness, neuropathy and then noticed I was losing weight. The weight loss is what made me extremely afraid as I was losing almost 1lb a day (0.45kg) for almost a week which looked like atrophy of my thighs and forearms. My blood pressure was normal and my temp was normal every day as I check them daily because of Covid-19 so I can self-isolate if I run a fever.

At about 25 days post sex act, and a few days after noticing the weight loss, I had a rapid test done with blood taken from the vein in my arm with a negative result. The DUO test was not available as all the labs were processing COVID-19 samples only. I could not get tested 6 weeks post sex act and can’t go get tested at the moment as we’re in a heavy Covid-19 lockdown and non-emergency medical services are suspended. I also do not have a primary care physician to speak with as I just moved to this country.

Although my weight has stabilized at a lower value, I have been having incredible muscle twitches/ fasciculation for weeks especially around my ankles and calves. I also believe I’m having neuropathy.

Based on the above, what do the experts here think of my situation. The lack of being able to get tested is driving me insane. Please forgive my ignorance if anything stated is nonsensical. Thank you for your time. 

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Nothing you mentioned is HIV specific so please continue to work with your doctor when they are available next to treat whatever is making you sick.

As for the intercourse and the slight riding up of the condom. Unless there have been other sexual events I see no reason for any HIV concern and, no reason to test outside of standard yearly routine. Stop overthinking things.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of HIV protection going forward

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.

Kind regards

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the "Do I have HIV?" Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here. It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Any additional threads will be deleted.

[Cc2020]

I tried to get to a clinic in the 2 week period that the city was open but things were severely backed up. As a result I was not able to see anyone at that time and now we’re back in a lockdown and I’m going crazy again.

I wanted to give further context/detail to see if it made any meaningful difference to my risk assessment.

With one of the ladies I was with, I was semi erect when first entering so the condom only partially covered the shaft and was bunched up covering maybe 1/3 to half way down. As I began to thrust and become more erect I was able to then adjust the condom further down the shaft. Being that I’m circumcised but have HSV2, does this change anything about my risk?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

I read post boths again three times. changes nothing.

Unless there have been other sexual events I see no reason for any HIV concern and, no reason to test outside of standard yearly routine. Stop overthinking things.

Best, Jim

[Cc2020]

I was able to obtain a home test kit. Now I just have to muster the courage to take it.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

I read post boths again three times. changes nothing.

Unless there have been other sexual events I see no reason for any HIV concern and, no reason to test outside of standard yearly routine. Stop overthinking things.

Best, Jim

[Jim Allen]

Got your message, You're welcome.

[Cc2020]

Hi, I’m back again with another concern.

I recently had vaginal intercourse with two csw’s over the past month. Condoms were used both times starting with them performing oral and then proceeding to vaginal intercourse. Things went normally and I finished, removed the condoms and put them in the trash. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary when removing the condoms that I can remember.

The last event was on Feb 14th. Feb 21st I got an earache that progressed to a sore throat and low fever. I took an antibiotic that night and for the next two days. Feb 23 I was feeling mostly better. Feb 24th and feeling better but still with a mild sore throat but no fever I got a crazy rash on my abdomen and arms. I thought it was an allergy or something. Didn’t think anything about it and I wasn’t putting two and two together. The rash lasted maybe 48 hours then dissipated completely. Mild sore throat persisted for another two days and then I felt “normal” again.

The whole time I’m thinking, I used a condom and dont recall the condom failing either time. Although I removed the condom myself the csw didn’t mention anything about it either but… what if I missed the condom failing and didn’t realize it. The rash is what is scaring the hell out of me. Because of course if you go to google its doom and gloom.

Can one of the volunteers give me their opinion on this matter from their wealth of knowledge. Thank you.

[Jim Allen]

Okay read your post three times.

Receiving a blowjob lacks the conditions required for acquiring HIV; thus, it makes sense that after 40+ years of this pandemic in terms of BJs, there hasn't been a single documented case of HIV transmission to an insertive partner (the person being "sucked"), and you will not be the worlds first.

As for the intercourse, HIV can't transmit through an intact latex or polyurethane condom. Unless a condom obviously fails during intercourse, there is no reason to be stressing or testing for HIV outside the standard yearly HIV screening

Regarding herpes, not sure if you are still taking the daily meds to suppress the outbreaks, if not, you could consider talking to your healthcare provider about daily medication as it would reduce the frequency of outbreaks but also reduce the risk of passing it on to your partners, as herpes can be passed on during viral shedding (skin contact) I'm areas not covered by condoms even when you don't have a visible outbreak.

Glad to hear that the bacterial issue with the ear seems to have been resolved with antibiotics and the rash has gone. Next time you have a rash see your healthcare provider, plenty of common reasons for rashes.

[Jim Allen]

Oh and stop googling. Googled a headache a few weeks ago and the result was brain cancer, I somehow doubt I'll be dead anytime soon from my headache

[Cc2020]

Thanks for the response. To be clear, a condom was used for all acts.

I am and have always taken acyclovir daily since my hsv2 diagnosis.

I’ve genuinely never seen what a failed condom looks like. I hear/read that they shred/tear like a balloon but without seeing examples it leaves the mind to fill in the knowledge gap with what ifs.

The timing of everything (“ars symptoms”) just appeared too convenient. And as a hypochondriac, I’m fearing the worst. I suppose I wanted to hear that the “ars rash” lasts longer than two days. Either way, thank you for taking the time out to respond.

[Jim Allen]

You're welcome.

The timing of everything (“ars symptoms”) just appeared too convenient.

Yup, the timing being convenient is a dilemma every second poster seems to have, and I had this morning, I flushed the toilet, and then it started to rain. Therefore, my flushing the toilet must have caused it to rain outside.

  Try to relax.

I’ve genuinely never seen what a failed condom looks like. I hear/read that they shred/tear like a balloon but without seeing examples it leaves the mind to fill in the knowledge gap with what ifs.

It shreds. In any case, unless a condom obviously fails during intercourse, there is no reason to be stressing or testing for HIV outside the standard yearly HIV screening.

[Cc2020]

My anxiety is eating me up and I could not sleep. I’ve been reading a lot of literature overnight but the maculopapular rash is scaring the living hell out of me. Everyone says using a condom was the best thing one could do but I’m stressing heavily. Unfortunately I’m currently in a place where walk in clinics are closed on a sunday. And this is something I can’t talk to anyone about to relieve my stress. I’m going crazy.

[Jim Allen]

Let's keep this simple; you did not aquire HIV from the activities posted here. Move on with your life, continue to use condoms, and as you are sexually active, get a routine STI & HIV screening yearly.

If you are feeling unwell, see your regular healthcare provider so they can treat whatever is making you feel unwell, and I hope you feel better soon.

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

[Cc2020]

Spoke with a Dr that reiterated what Jim said. Told me it was statistically improbable to acquire hiv under the conditions I stated and to go get tested to alleviate my fears. I bit the bullet and went and sure enough, negative. Apparently condoms work… who knew?! As long as the condom doesn’t OBVIOUSLY fail, trust that it did its primary job.

[Jim Allen]

The lesson is HIV can't transmit through an intact latex or polyurethane condom. End of story.

So less stressing next time and stop testing over nothing!