Broken condom

[enigma77]

I had sex with a csw in Thailand and the condom broke.   I didn't realize it until after I ejaculated so I'm not sure how long I was unprotected.  The head ofy penis was uncovered.  I am also uncircumsized which makes me more susceptable to infection.   The girl I was with seemed equally freaked out over the event though the tension and language barrier made it difficult to discuss the situation.  Its sounded like she gets tested and that she does not have stis.  If I was smart I would have requested that we get tested together, but I didn't think of that at that moment.  I went back to her work but she wasn't working on a night she usually works and now I am leaving so I'll never know her status for sure.  Part of me wanted to get pep but I disnt pursue in Thailand.  It's likely not related, but the next day I woke up with a skin rash in my arms and now its also on my stomach and one leg.

I am really freaked based on the risk.  I tried to be safe as I realize the risks of unprotected sex, but the condom broke and I ended up having unprotected sex.  A choice I would have never made.  So here I am 2 days after the event and I am worried sick.  And not just about hiv, but all stds.  I've never tested positive for an std but I feel that is about to change.  The worst part of course is the wating.  I can barely eat and sleep and I am only at day two.  I have 40 more days to go?!?!  And I am scared of that day coming because of the potential result.   By the way I plan on testing for other stds sooner.

[Jeff G]

You seem to be doing what you need to do and that's test at the appropriate time . You can test at 6 weeks past any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results . Pep is effective if taken with 72 hours after exposure so you still have that option . I wouldn't consider pep for a simple condom break with a brief exposure but this is up for you to decide since you are not sure how long you had unprotected intercourse .

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

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

[enigma77]

I get tested for all std's once a year.  This event will cause me to test as soon as the window allows.

Could an std symptom, the rash on my body, occur like 8 hours after contact?  It seems outlandish to me, but I am in full paranoia mode.

As for PEP, I am not sure.  I am in a foreign country and I don't know the status of my partner.  The exposure could have been minutes because we had sex for a while.  I am about 52 hours in, do you think I should get pep?  I need to act fast if I should.  Are the side effects really bad?  Are they still effective after 52 hours.  I read the sooner the better.  Like with in 24 hours. 

I try to be responsible, but then a condom broke and I feel completely irresponsible.  I didn't even feel it break.  I had one break in the past and I felt it happen so the exposure was brief.  This time may change my life and I feel so helpless.

[Jeff G]

We don't discuss ARS symptoms because they are not specific to HIV and can be caused by many other things . The only way to know is to test .

PEP is effective within 72 hours after exposure and isn't indicated for a condom break . Its rare for the insertive partner to become infected with HIV from a condom failure , especially if it was for a brief duration . Its up to you to decide what's right for you .

There are many different combos that are prescribed for pep , some of them do have significant side effects .

[enigma77]

I am curious to know what you would do if you were in my shoes.  I am conflicted to say the least.  I am not worried about the monetary cost of the drugs.  Just the side effects.  Not to mention, I am on a plane for 24 hours just two days after starting them.  So I will start the meds here and then travel back to the US. 

Is it really uncommon for someone in my situation to test positive?  I am just really nervous because HIV is mostly transmitted through vaginal sex.

[Jeff G]

I can only tell you that I haven't seen a case where the insertive partner went on to test positive after a broken condom incident . I would probably decide to test at the appropriate time and forgo the Pep but I cant stress enough that its your decision .

Its true that unprotected vaginal sex is a risk for HIV but its less for the insertive partner . Its also in your favor that you are the insertive partner .