[Question #10637] HIV risks

21 months ago

Hi Doc,

I am sure you get this a lot but basically I got a handjob from a licensed massage place. I am extremely anxious so I made the woman use hand sanitizer initially but I didn't really check her hands for sores or anything like that.

So I got worried and used PEP for 28 days and started in like 24 hours from exposure.

Then 2.5 weeks after the PEP I had a 4th gen antigen/antibody test which was negative.

Now I would go test again and again like I have before but it fuels my health anxiety so I am trying not to do that.

1) was I ever at risk for HIV even if the woman was HIV positive ? please let me know with a bit of explanation so that I can be more knowledgeable moving forward and not act out of anxiety.

2) the PEP I used was TLD and I had one pill for 28 days. Was this the correct dosage?

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

21 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. Let me start by pointing out that receipt of masturbation is considered a no risk exposure for acquistion of HIV and other STIs, both by the US CDC and the WHO. If you had requested PEP from me in our clinic, I would have declined to provide it as unnecessary. Having taken PEP for 28 days however, you will not be able to conclusively determine your HIV status related to the (no risk) exposure you described until 4-6 weeks after completion of PEP.

In response to your questions:

1. No, you were never at risk for HIV if the woman happened to be HIV infected. As mentioned above, receipt of masturbation is considered a no risk exposure for HIV , even when a partner's genital secretions come into contact with you, either directly or through transfer on one persons hands to another.

2. Yes, TLD is an effective regimen in the dosage you took

I hope this information is helpful. EWH

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21 months ago

Hi doc,

Thank you for your fast reply

21 months ago

Please doc just a last follow-up,

3 weeks after PEP I got a sore throat and fever which my family also did get.

But ever since then I haven’t been well, cough and a recurrent sore throat soon.

I just sort of feel like did I get exposed to HIV and is my immunity being attacked right now and am I seroconverting.

I’m sorry if this is a worry laden question despite you telling me that my exposure was basically just 0 exposure, but I’m not able to understand the reasoning behind my symptoms as I’ve had a full course of antibiotics and had a proper recovery time too.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

21 months ago

Your sore throat almost certainly is due to something other than HIV. The most likely cause is one of the many viruses that most people get from time to time. Your exposure was no risk for HIV and you are taking PEP. For your information since I know you are nervous about this, if your sore throat were due to HIV, a combination HIV antigen/antibody test would be positive if your symptoms were due to HIV. EWH---

21 months ago

Thank you doctor so I can be worry free about HIV and just go get treated for whatever seasonal infection this is?

Regards

Edward W. Hook M.D.

21 months ago

I would not be at all worried. My advice is to move forward without concern.

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client's questions. This is my 3rd response. Therefore the thread will be closed shortly. EWH

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