[Question #12091] HIV Risk
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10 months ago
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I am a man who had protected vaginal sex on the 14th and 19th of September. On the 19th, there was some concern of a condom break (my partner said she felt something warm during sex and my penis had lube on it) but the ejaculate was in the bag of the penis. Weeks prior to the 14th, I had strep throat and my throat hurt. I was treated with antibiotics but the sore throat persisted. Between the 14th and 19th, I had some chills and felt sick. After the 19th, I felt nausea and have felt fatigue. I have not had a fever.
I got tested for HIV RNA on the 25th of September and it came back negative. I presume the test was too soon for the second (potentially riskier encounter). I got tested again today (10th of October) but feel anxious: what are the odds I contracted HIV?
I got tested for HIV RNA on the 25th of September and it came back negative. I presume the test was too soon for the second (potentially riskier encounter). I got tested again today (10th of October) but feel anxious: what are the odds I contracted HIV?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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Welcome to our forum. Thank you for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment. Thanks as well for your detailed description of your encounter of concern.
Your description suggests that your condom did not fail. When condoms break, they break wide open, leaving no doubt that they have failed. When condoms contain ejaculate following a sexual encounter, they have not failed. The reason I say that is, that if your condom was worn throughout the sexual encounter you describe this was affectively a virtually, no risk encounter.
Regarding your test results, HIVRNAPCR tests are inclusive when taken more than 11 days following an encounter. Thus, your test results rule out any possibility of acquiring HIV from your first encounter, but possibly not your second. On the other hand. Your October 10 test results will be conclusive. Your results should be available shortly. In addition, when testes are taken in the presence of symptoms, if a person has symptoms due to HIV, tests are always positive. If your tests are negative, this indicates that you did not acquire HIV from the exposure, you are concerned about and should look for another reason. FYI, many of the symptoms associated with recently acquired. HIV are the same symptoms which people experience due to far, far more common infection, such as influenza, COVID-19, or the mini community acquired viral non-STI infections that we all acquire from time to time
I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let me know the results of your September 25 test results. You can be confident you did not get HIV from the exposure you describe.
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10 months ago
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Thank you for your detailed and compassionate response.
I will update you with my October 10th test results when I receive them.
For now, one question: does the fact that I got a negative test on the 25th mean anything for the 2nd encounter (occurred on 19th). I know it doesn't rule it out, but does it suggest symptoms I had then were likely not being caused by HIV?
Thank you.
I will update you with my October 10th test results when I receive them.
For now, one question: does the fact that I got a negative test on the 25th mean anything for the 2nd encounter (occurred on 19th). I know it doesn't rule it out, but does it suggest symptoms I had then were likely not being caused by HIV?
Thank you.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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Results of testing on specimens collected less than a week following your most recent encounter are little value. I look forward to hearing about your more recent testing and dissipate that we will find that day to show that you are not infected. EWH---
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10 months ago
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Okay, final question: I could go get a finger-prick test today as I await the RNA testing (which I will get early next week) That would be free at a local clinic. It would be 21.5 days since the 2nd encounter I am worried about. Would getting the finger-prick test reveal any information or is it too soon for that test? The reason to do this - if the test was valid - would be to allieviate my overwhelming anxiety.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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Final response. A fingerstick test at 21 days is far too early to provide any useful information. At this time only a HIV RNA PCR test would be conclusive. A 4th generation combination HIV antigen/antibody test will be more than 98% conclusive at 28 days and entirely conclusive any time more than 6 weeks after your last encounter.
Your anxiety is misplaced as I indicated above. As I explained above, your encounter was virtually no risk.
This completes this thread which will be closed shortly. EWH
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