I was on a business trip in Belgium 6 weeks ago and had protected anal sex with a trans escort from Brazil! It last around 1 minutes maybe less! Condom was intact but it was their condom! Didn’t do a water test afterwards! And escorts were independent and booked via an appointment at their place! 

I asked this again via text after the exposure and the person also said they are clean and get. Tested and that we used a condom! So no need to worry! So left it a day! Then after more thought and anxiety I asked again! when I specifically pushed and asked about HIV the person got very defensive/rude over text and didn’t confirm their status! 

This made me concerned and I rushed to get PEP however by this time I was at the 72 hour mark once I got to ER and probably took PEP between 72-74 hours once back in the UK! Very stupid I know! 

My issue is this during PEP I had fatigue, GERD, muscle pain, Headaches, thigh and groin pain after the second week. And a swollen lymph node under my armpit which made me very scared!  Also had tingling/burning pain in my feet and hands and around my lymph nods areas towards the end of PEP. 

To add more misery on top of everything I had sex with my partner whilst on PEP and after 3-4 weeks she developed pain in her groin and knee but then also had a rash around her face and chest! And also complained of having burning feet for 1 day! No sore throat or fever and it has now been 5 weeks since I slept with her! For me two weeks since completing PEP I have noticed a slight sore throat and a bit of Gerd/acid reflux coming again but no other symptoms other than Vivid dreams! I am very scared as I feel like I’ve messed up my partner’s life and mine! 

Do you think the condom would have provided any protection? 

Was PEP necessary in your eyes ? Even though I took it late?  I believe the trans escort may of had HIV! 

When is the best time for Post PEP testing? 

I plan to test this week with a full panel STD and also HIV 4th gen and RNA! This will be two weeks post PEP! 

Appreciate your thoughts 

You were told previously there was virtually no risk from the exposure you described.  That assessment will not change.

If you had acquired HIV and failed the PEP that you were told you did not need, tests would be positive.    The recommended time to test following completion of PEP is 4-6 weeks following completion of PEP unless there is a concern that PEP has failed.  If it had failed and there were symptoms due to HIV, tests would be positive at that time.  

Your anxiety is entirely misplaced.  When you test, not matter when you test, the tests will be negative, proving that you were not at risk to start with.

You have two follow-ups.  After completion of those, no further follow-ups will be accepted from you regarding this exposure.  EWH

Questions from me.

If you had symptoms during PEP and just after PEP? 

But then test negative at two weeks for  RNA and also 4th gen? 

Does this mean first you couldn’t have passed on HIV if you were infected? As the RNA was negative 

Or does this just mean PEP has masked your results as it’s too soon! 

What does this mean for the current symptoms you are facing which are inline with the timeline of ARS and the symptoms itself ? 

When are my results conclusive after PEP? I think I’ve seen 6 weeks but unsure as I’ve also seen 3 months? 

Also my partners symptoms? If my results are negative should I still ask her to test as well? 

I am seeing a IFD for ongoing inflammatory symptoms 

If you had symptoms while on PEP (that you did not need) tests would be positive at the time symptoms began and thereafter.  If the RNA is negative you could not have transmitted HIV to another person.

Thus, your symptoms are NOT due to HIV

Your results were conclusive.  

Your partner's symptoms are due to something other than HIV

You need to give up on your unwarranted concerns about HIV.  You have one follow-up remaining.  EWH