Possible Exposure - non-penatrative

[UK_in_Oz]

Hi, 19 days following possible exposure to HIV (brief unprotected vaginal intercourse with a CSW in Bangkok) i went to the sexual health clinic in Perth, Australia for the standard STD checks. I wasnt expecting them to test for HIV at that point as i thought there was no point in testing until 3 months after exposure, but the nurse taking my blood said they test during the window period as well and that they had never had a false positive or false negative.

When i went to collect my results today i was negative for all my tests including the HIV. When i asked the doctor how accurate the test was at this stage he didnt really seem to know and didnt really know what sort of test i had taken (he was a very old doctor and seemed a bit old school). He advised coming back for another test in 9 weeks for confirmation.

When i looked at the results sheet it said 'HIV 1 and 2 antigen/antibody'. Would this test have been for the standard antibody test (and therefore pointless at this stage) or can it help to detect the HIV virus earlier, during the window period? And if so, how much can i read into this negative result?

I fully intend to take the 3 month test to put my mind at rest once and for all and i apologise if im covering old ground but id just like some advice on the test i have just taken, as the doctors couldnt really seem to give me much! lol

Thanks

[Andy Velez]

Hi,

The P24 antigen test can pick up infection in the first very few weeks after an exposure. So a negative with that is reassuring.

But ultimately to be absolutely certain about your negative status your plan is a good one, because not until you've tested negative at 13 weeks can you be sure.

Bear in mind that HIV is not easily transmitted from female to male and yours was a single incident. That puts the odds in your favor against transmission having occured if in fact the woman was HIV+.

You do need to learn from this experience. Lower risk is not the same as no-risk. And HIV is forever once you have it. You can have intercourse with anyone regardless of their status. You just need to do it the safer way which means always without exception using a condom everytime for vaginal or anal intercourse.

Good luck with your test.

[UK_in_Oz]

Ok, bit worried about this. I had what I meant to be and thought was protective sex with an African sex worker in Dubai. The problem is, I was pretty drunk and had to keep stopping and changing condoms a few times. Between changing condoms on one occasion she was on top of me and we were rubbing our genitals together. As far as I could tell (and it's usually pretty obvious with no condom) I didn't penetrate her, but when we stopped after 5 mins or so my penis was very wet with her fluids, on the head and both sides of the shaft. I word off and then put another condom on.

Would it be possible for my penis to be so wet with her fluids without penetration? If it was just vaginal secretions, what would my risk be? We had been going at it for quit a while before the incident I describe.

Cheers

[UK_in_Oz]

Sorry, 'word off' should be stopped. Damn predictive text.

[RapidRod]

Please do not start a new thread every time you have another question or thought - regardless if you think your questions are related to each other or not. 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. Additional threads will be merged.

If you cannot find your thread, click on the "Show own posts" link in the left-hand column of any forum page, under your name.

[jkinatl2]

It is quite possible for your penis to be that wet without penetration.

The situation as you described it sounds perfectly safe insofar as HIV is concerned.

However, it is concerning that you were so drunk you don't remember. Might want to watch that in the future. It would be a real shame to acquire a lifelong infection and not even remember the event that caused it.

[UK_in_Oz]

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't very drunk really and changed condoms a couple of times, more concerned with how wet my penis was. My immediate reaction was that penetration must have occured by I'm pretty sure I would have noticed with no condom. I will get tested regardless but good to get opinion on this as it's a new situation for me.

[Ann]

UK,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

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What you engaged in in-between protected intercourse is called frottage and frottage is not a risk for hiv infection. You are worrying over nothing.

Ann

[UK_in_Oz]

Apologies, I hadnt read the posting guidelines. Thanks for your responses. So even though my penis was covered with her vaginal fluid (including the head), I wouldnt be at risk from that? Is that because HIV can only be transmitted by vaginal fluid when contacted within the vagina instead of just outside it?

Thanks

[RapidRod]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

[Ann]

Is that because HIV can only be transmitted by vaginal fluid when contacted within the vagina instead of just outside it?

That is correct.

Ann

[UK_in_Oz]

Thanks for the advice. Im gonna test anyway because im not convinced I didnt penetrate her slightly (because of how wet my penis was afterwards) but good to know my risk was zero if indeed no penetration took place.

I will update with results.

[Andy Velez]

OK. ...and I do expect you will test negative.