[Question #10998] Hiv & other stds
18 months ago
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- TEN (10) HIV ECLIA combo lab based tests from blood extracted from my vein over 61 days post exposure. Includes Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis RPR. All non-reactive.
- 2 (13 panel STD) penile swab tests (multiplex real time pcr)
- Herpes (hsv 1&2) Igg and Igm test was done on day 55 post exposure which came back negative.
18 months ago
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Penile swab test was done on days 5 and 20 post exposure, and a urine test on day 35.
18 months ago
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Tried to have a very conclusive question.. sorry i have to spread it over 3 posts.. Am i ok? Do i need any more testing for anything? It was a female SW with unknown status. When i pulled out, condom was completely broken from top to bottom. I'm assuming the worse now that she has all STDs including HIV. I can't stop testing because of this single encounter.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.
However, I'm not sure our advice is going to be as helpful as you hope. You have been very seriously overtested which suggests, along with your statement "I can't stop testing", that your main problem is psychological. That is outside our expertise. All I can do is advise you about the low chance you were infected, that your test results are reliable, you can be sure you do not have any of the infections for which you were tested, and that no more testing is needed. But I'm pretty sure you know these things already. Compulsions of this sort typically are not helped by simply being informed of the facts: there's always thoughts like "yes but" or "could I be the exception.
The large majority of sex workers do not have transmissible STIs at any point in time; and when an infection is present, it is not always transmitted. In fact, most STIs are transmitted well under half the time, and some -- like HIV -- are transmitted in no more than one in a thousand exposures. So even with a condom break, the odds are that you were not infected at all. Because of the risk, it was reasonable to be tested -- but not repeatedly. All the tests you had are extremely reliable at the times you had them. You can be completely certain you do not have any of the STIs for which you were tested: you did not acquire HIV, hepatitis B or C, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. (I am unaware of urethral or urine test panels for 13 different infections. Perhaps you mean that the combination of blood tests plus urethral swab or urine came to a total of 13 different infections.)
I think you realize that the problem is primarily psychological. Please do not seek any further tests. If you remain uncertain or fearful, my advice is to seek professional counseling about it.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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17 months ago
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Thank you Dr. so much. It's a long list of STDs for the 13 panel PCR swab including HPV, which is another thing i wanted to ask about. Also, developed some random pimples on my chest and legs, my doctor says its from stress or folliculitis as i've always had acne in my back/chest. No other symptoms down there. Was given docycyline, azithromacin, Ceftriaxole as a precautionary measure.
I believe you've addressed everything else Doctor. Thank you so much.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Thanks for the thanks; I'm glad to have helped.
Two further comments: Everybody gets and then carries HPV (90% of all humans); it's a natural and expected outcome of human sexuality. Assuming an average sex life, you probably have had it and could still be carrying it. Happily, most infections cause no symptoms or disease. In any case, no single sexual event significantly raises the risk. It takes months or even years for HPV to show up, so if you had tested positive, it would not have been from the exposure described.
---Second, I agree with your doctor about your pimples. This never suggests HIV or any STI.
17 months ago
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I believe all my concerns have been addressed. Thank you so much Doctor. I really appreciate it.