condom split and have herpes

[dave1979]

hey,

I have herpes and recently had sex with a prostitute where the condom split.  It seemed to be only split down the side I think and not at the top.  Maybe only slightly at the top but not sure.

If the lady had HIV, what are the increases of getting HIV if I have herpes? 

She did say she had been tested recently and it was negative, I think I believed her.  SHe was cautious throughout the time.

I had a HIV scare before and was very suicidal.  I suffer regularily from depression (dad is bipolar), so find it hard to deal with certain things.

thanks for your time.

[Matty the Damned]

Let's deal with the basic risk issue first.

You were protected up until the condom split. Given that the risk of transmission from female to male during vaginal sex is very low, I reckon you've got an excellent chance of testing negative 3 months from the date of this encounter. And test you should because, no matter how slight, a risk is a risk.

As for issue of herpes increasing the likelihood of HIV infection, well that's a bit of a vexed issue. Opinions on that are divided. It would only be relevant if you were experiencing an outbreak at the time you were having sex.

So, I reckon that you should be tested but it's really just a formality. I expect that you will test negative and so should you.

Perhaps you need to review your condom use to ensure they don't break in future.

MtD

[Andy Velez]

Matty has touched all of the major points with you. I agree that your risk level was very low. If you find that waiting 3 months is hard to do, you can do an initial test at 6 weeks after the risk.

Assuming you test negative at that point as we expect you will, the likelihood is very strong that you will again test negative for a final result at 3 months/13 weeks.

[dave1979]

thanks matty and andy, it was her condom and seemed looser than the ones I would use usually.  I haven't had sex for 2 years due to a bad past experience and wasn't planning on that night, sometimes these things can't be helped.

[dave1979]

What do you think of this test?


1 HIV Duo Test or HIV 28 Day Test - includes HIV p24 antigen.

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We send a small blood sample to our laboratory and the results are usually available in a few hours. The cost of this HIV test is £125 (all inclusive ). The HIV DUO test including p24 antigen is rated as 99.8% accurate.

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[dave1979]

sorry to be a pain, is this test 99.8% accurate after 28 days or are they just trying to get my money?

thanks.

[jkinatl2]

Honestly, I would venture that the latter is the case. This way you would buy three tests, one every month, until the window period ends.

[Andy Velez]

Ultimately no matter what your earlier test results are, when there has been a risk only a negative at 13 weeks is considered the final result to rely upon.

Obviously people do test earlier in many cases to relieve their anxiety. And a negative at 6 weeks or beyond is unlikely to change at 13 weeks to positive.

[dave1979]

ok, thanks.

I just wondered if this was a different type of test to the one you get done at 6 and 12 weeks.

I am going to make an appointment for next tuesday with the local hospital, so I can discuss it then.

[Andy Velez]

Nothing exists that will give you an absolutely reliable result before 13 weeks. You can test earlier just for peace of mind but you still need to get tested for a final result at 13 weeks.

[dave1979]

Hi,

I have been showing some early symptoms.  I have been having sharp headaches and a saw throat, I know this could be anything, but it is the duration of it that worries me, it has been from Day 5 to present day (day 14).  I have never had a headache before, so this is worrying that it has lasted 9 days.  I don't think it is stress / anxiety either, as I have suffered from both in the past and didn't get these sharp headaches.

I am thinking that I should try prepare for the worse, rather than it being a shock if I do test poz.  any advice on this?

thanks.

[Matty the Damned]

I think you should prepare yourself for a negative result. Can't guarantee it, but I'm yet to see anyone who's posted here test positive following a busted rubber risk.

And I've been answering questions in this place fo 5 years.

Headaches and sore throats are caused by all manner of things and for this reason your symptoms cannot be considered to be particular to anything. Only your 13 week test result will give you the answer you need.

Seriously, stop asking us about symptoms. We cannot help you with those. If you feel ill you should ask your doctor.

MtD

[Andy Velez]

None of those are HIV specific symptoms. We continue to expect you to test negative as your risk was minimal.

If your symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor.

There really isn't anything more we can say at this point. At the end of the day I expect you will come out of this ok, your fears notwithstanding.

[dave1979]

ok thanks, yeah I shouldn't bang on about symptoms.

I just needed to vent a bit.

thanks for your time and help.