[Question #12166] Can I forget it and move on?

9 months ago

I am a heterosexual male. I had an exposure with an unknown HIV status from a CSW a couple of months ago with both condom provided by her in both Oral and vaginal. The vaginal sex was very brief as she as on top for a less than 20 seconds and I withdrew as I feared that it wasn't safe even with condom. The condom was intact, no break, no slip and that was all. 1 month later I had a terrible bug bite that I had never experience near armpit and the pain lasted over 2 hours. I then had a very mild sore throat that lasted 2-3 days later and that scared me as HIV symptom. I tested myself with Oraquick the next day, 5 weeks and 6 weeks they were all negative. Am I overreacted and can I forget it and move on with unprotected sex with my wife? Thank you

9 months ago

I meant I had a mild sore throat the next day after the bug bite

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

9 months ago

Welcome. Thanks fo your question.

"Unknown" HIV status almost always means negative. Assuming you're in the US or other industrialized country, the vast majority of female sex workers do not have HIV. And with condom protected sex there was no chance of being infected even if she had it. Who provided the condom makes no difference: a condom that doesn't break wide open is 100% effective, no matter its origins. I don't know what to make of your "bug bite", but certainly HIV cannot result in anything like that. As of ryour sore throat, HIV is the least common of many causes -- and HIV symptoms never start later than 2 weeks after exposure. Finally, it is not possible to have HIV symptoms and test negative.

So yes, you overreacted -- but no big deal. At this point you can be completely certain you do not have HIV. You did not need to stop having sex with your wife and certainly can do so safely now.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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9 months ago

What a relief. I've been waiting for 4 hours of your answer, Dr. Handsfield. I will forget it and move on. Again, thank you and you have a great night.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

9 months ago

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.---