[Question #11394] HIV Testing?
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14 months ago
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Hello!
I am a male individual that is 31 years old. On 4/30/24 I received an unprotected blowjob from a female of unknown status. I fingered the same individual in the vagina as well. I do not know if there were any cuts on my finger. I went to the doctor the next day and she did not recommend PEP. I received a routine HIV screen (HIV ½ Antibody and Antigen) 7 days after the incident (non-reactive result) and I was placed on PrEP (Truvada) due to my immense fear of HIV. I have been taking PreP daily for the last 21 days.
Exactly 26 days after the incident I came down with a sore throat, body aches and fatigue. I’ve been taking my temperature yesterday and today and so far I have no fever. Is there any chance this could be HIV ARS and should I be tested again for HIV? Thank you very much for your assistance!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Welcome to our forum and thanks for your implied confidence in our service. I’ll be glad to comment. The sexual activities you describe are considered safe sex by expert organizations such as the WHO and CDC as well as all experts in sexually transmitted infections. There is no risk for any STI from masturbating a sexual partner, even if that partner happens to be infected. Cuts and scrapes on the fingers of the hands do not change the assessment, even if those cuts and scrapes are contaminated with genital secretions. As for receipt of oral sex, there has never been approve in case of HIV acquired from receipt of oral sex. You will not be the first.
Like the physician you saw I would have not been willing to provide PEP for you. Fortunately, you have not had side effects or problems with the medication, but it is not something you needed. Assuming you have now completed your post exposure prophylaxis nothing you’ve said indicate saying need for changing to pre-exposure prophylaxis. ( PrEP).
Onset of your flu-like symptoms (sore throat, aches, and fatigue) have occurred rather late to be due to recently acquired HIV. Further, when persons experience, the classical ARS syndrome high fever is a prominent part of the symptoms. Given your acknowledged extreme anxiety, however, you may wish to test. If your symptoms were in any way related to HIV acquired from the no risk exposure you have described your test would be positive. When symptoms are due to HIV tests are always positive.
I hope the information I have provided as well as my perspective is helpful to you. EWH.
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14 months ago
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Hi Dr. Hook,
Thank you for your prompt response! I apologize if I misspoke. The truvada I took was taken as PrEP, not PEP due to the fact that I took it 8 days after exposure. So I didn't actually complete a course of PEP. I am on PrEP now just to help with any future exposures and my anxiety.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but if I understand correctly you would suggest I get tested due to my extreme anxiety and NOT because I was at risk for HIV. Therefore, these symptoms are NOT due to HIV ARS and from a scientific perspective I have not put myself at any risk for acquiring HIV? I get tested every 6 months and my next test will be in December 2024. I just want to make sure I am not putting anyone else at risk if there is even a slim chance I acquired HIV from this most recent exposure.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Thanks for the clarification.
You are correct. If it were several weeks ago, and you have asked if you needed to test, I would’ve had would have said absolutely not. The only reason I suggested testing today was to address your anxieties and concerns. I am confident that if you test, the results will be negative, hopefully proving to you what I already know - You did not acquire HIV from the exposure you described. EWH
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14 months ago
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Dr. Hook,
Sounds great to me! I want to thank you again for taking the time to read and address my concerns. You are a truly kind and wonderful individual. I hope you have a great rest of your week.