SE Asia - Sex Worker - Condom Broke

[faskerov]

Hi all,

First I'd like to thank all of the administrators and members here who help out everyday.

I've read through many threads and know you guys don't care to discuss symptoms at length as they're not reliable indicator of HIV. I'll try to keep this brief.

I'm a male in my mid twenties. My health history is very good overall. I recently relocated from the U.S. to Cambodia.

July 3rd - Protected sex with female sex worker. I noticed during the middle of intercourse the condom had broke. I was drunk, but don't believe intercourse lasted for very long before I put on a new condom. I later found out the condom that broke was expired.

July 19th - I was planning on getting tested and didn't have much worry up until this date. During the middle of my work day, I started to feel very strange. Mental fogginess and difficulty focusing. I was completely useless for a few days afterwards.  Felt like a human vegetable.

July 22nd - Blood tests for: Hep A, B, C, HSV-1/2 and HIV (RNA Viral Load + Antibody). Hep blood tests came back negative. Awaiting results of HSV and HIV tests to be received on July 31st.

July 23rd - Started to get a lot of my mental clarity back.

July 24th - Took a step backwards. Still mentally foggy/cloudy - but better than original onset of symptoms. I can focus on things - but feel slow. Sort of feels like an out-of-body dream-like state all the time.

I do have minor jolts of headache pains that quickly go away as well. Similar minor aches across my body -- usually in my toes/fingertips. Also what seems like poor blood circulation to my feet.

Again I know symptoms aren't reliable, but thought I'd describe what I've been through. I hope these are just symptoms of separation anxiety from my family and life back in the states - though I can't help but worry these symptoms came on about 2.5 weeks after my potential exposure.

How reliable are Quantitative RNA Viral Load tests? Are false-positives common? Regardless, I plan to get anti-body tests again at the 2 and 3 month marks.

I've read published studies that estimated between 15-25% prevalence of HIV among sex workers in Cambodia. I know my risk is relatively low for a single exposure. Trying to stay busy in the meantime and hope for the best.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Jim Allen]

Hi.

So RNA testing is not recommended for screening due to the false results it produces.
Simply test with an antibody test at 6 weeks and again at 13 weeks post exposure to confirm the results.

As for the symptoms they have nothing to do with HIV, if you had symptoms they don't come and go like that and to be clear most people experience none or too mild to notice. See a doctor if you are sick to treat whatever is making you ill, by the sound of it It's nothing more than your own anxiety however do check with a doctor.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.

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.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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