[Question #12757] RISK RISK HIV and Hepatitis

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5 months ago
Dear Doctors ,
I trust you doing well , I had around 5 or 6 time protected sex with condom with different escort here in Dubai , seems to be high escort , all was protected condom virginal sex , and not protected oral sex both way along with french kisses , I did for her and she did for me not protected , what is the chance of getting HIV and Hepatitis , if I visit you in your clinic would you request test ? what is my chance here ? should I continue sex with my wife since I stopped that , I had no symptoms only 2 days ago I had small swollen lymph nodes on my right side of the nick . is there anything I should worry about , during your journey did you see anyone with same scenario got HIV or Hepatitis 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
5 months ago
Welcome and thanks for your confidence in our forum.

You describe essentially zero risk exposures. First, my understanding is that HIV actually is quite uncommon in Dubai female sex workers. Second, escorts -- meaning expensive female sex workers by appointment -- generally are at low risk:  they tend to be health conscious, use condoms, get tested frequently, and generally have low risk clients (men like you). Third, even without a condom, if a female has untreated HIV, the risk to her male partner is under one chance for every 2,000 vaginal sex events. With a condom, that risk is reduced to nearly zero.

As for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) the risk is almost as low as for HIV; and depending on her origins, it is likely she has been vaccinated and therefore could not possibly have HBV. (And maybe you have been vaccinated as well?) For such reasons, heterosexually transmitted HBV now is exceedingly rare.

Your symptoms are of no concern at all. They do not fit with HIV, HBV, or any other STI. And no, I have never seen or even heard of a patient with a similar exposure history to turned out to have either HIV or HBV. In addition, in the 21 years of this and our preceding forum, with thousands of questions from persons worried about HIV after an exposure that concerned them, not one has yet reported they tested positive. You won't be the first. If and when it finally happens, surely it will be a genuinely high risk exposure (think unprotected anal between two men).

Should you be tested for HIV? That's a personal option you could consider. From a medical/risk perspective I don't see a need. However, it isn't unreasonable after several exposures, even if very low risk; you could consider blood tests for HIV and syphilis and a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Perhaps most important, some persons are more reassured by negative test results than by professional advice, no matter how expert. (We don't take it personally!) So maybe something to consider if the negative results will help you worry less and sleep better.

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

HHH, MD
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5 months ago
I really appreciate you quick response , please just allow to clarify one more thing , do you believe that HIV and HBV all type will not be transmitted by oral six ( cunnilingus and blow job ) ? from medical/risk perspective and as per your experience should I continue sex with my wife . ( is protected virginal sex and unprotected oral ) something should not worry about HIV and Hepatitis , thanks 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
5 months ago
Correct -- there has never been a case of HIV known to have been transmitted oral to penis, or by cunnilingus (oral-vaginal) in either direction. There are fewer data on this for HBV, but probably these activities also cary little or no risk. Yes:  protected vaginal and unprotected oral with your escort contacts is very low risk for all STIs.---