[Question #13328] Worry from an encounter

8 days ago

Hello DR

about 2 months before i had sex with escort girl, i wore a condom throughout the encounter, everything went OK except for that. I noticed something like a white line inside her vagina from inside to both side of the her vagina at that time, I did not give it any attention after she left. I started to worry about it what would such a thing be { maybe a cream or a std disease} but anyway, I forgot that All and carried on , un till one moth after that incident I noticed two lymph nodes, swollen, slightly painful and my left armpit remained for four days the same time I noticed one pustules on my leg then after about one week or more i had the another two small lymph nodes on the same armpit, one week later I developed another lymph node under my right armpit this time start with soft pain for one day and the pain went but the lymph node still there all these lymph nodes felt like small bea , I still have this small lymph node under my armpit

My question doctor is this

My main concern is acquiring hiv

While I know that risk on that incident is low , but I have read on the Internet that there is a chance that a condom might have manufacture defect, which can result in micro tears, and that could lead the virus go inside

I made sure to purchase the condom myself from a good brand

I am really worried Would like you to tell me your assessment

Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

7 days ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your question.

Examination of a partner's genitals before sex is useless: I doubt it has any benefit at all in reducing STI risk. "Something like a white line inside her vagina" doesn't sound like anything to worry about. As for your symptoms, "two lymph nodes, swollen, slightly painful and my left armpit...or four days" does not sound alarming and probably had nothing to do with the sexual exposure you are concerned about. Enlarged lymph nodes alone are not likely to be the only symptoms of a new HIV infection. As for a "manufacturing defect" of a condom, that's just nonsense: if a condom doesn't break wide open, protection against HIV is complete. Finally, the chance any particular female "escort girl" has HIV is near zero, so your partner probably was not infected.

For those reasons, almost certainly you do not have HIV. But the question is why you haven't mentioned an HIV test. Since you're worried, being tested is the obvious answer here. Just do it. I'll be happy to comment further after you have been tested, if you would like to tell me the result. The test will be negative, which will be far more reassuring than anything I can say.

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

HHH, MD

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7 days ago

Why I haven’t had test yet because I am really worried and I couldn’t but I will soon doctor I am divorced man in my 40s and I have been for the last two years seeing escort girls whenever I am traveling, but I always make sure that I don’t exceed the limits. I bring the condom myself. It should be in from good brand and I use it immediately , always I use the condom the right way I thought that is enough until I read some reports on the net saying that condom do not prevent the transmission of HIV 100 % even if it was used every time and used right and no breakage happened, and some other websites mentioned that microtears which could be from manufacturing even which can be gone unnoticed , and to be honest after that I started to worry because what I saw during the incident as I mentioned in my question before

I have one more question regarding the lymph node. I read as well that when it comes always certainly comes with high fever. Is that right? I know Dr. that is have been never a wan pattern goes for everyone, but in general they’re very high fever is essential for the acute Stage one of hiv virus

Thank you Dr. so much

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

6 days ago

Yes, lymph node enlargements alone rarely are due to HIV; if it were HIV, there would be other symptoms, often including fever. The greater detail on your sexual exposures confirms little or no risk for HIV. I agree there is no realistic chance you have HIV. However, it is wrong that "high fever is essential" for new HIV infection. In fact, half of all new infections cause no symptoms at all; and when symptoms are present, often there is no fever.

As already advised, you can be sure you do not have HIV and there is no medical/risk reason to be tested it. If my comments have completely resolved your worries, there is no need for testing. However, you came to the forum because you are worried about it. Most people in that situation will continue to worry no matter what professional opinion they receive or how expert that advice may be. I would be very glad if my advice has completely resolved your fears. But if not, testing for reassurance still is my advice.

I will be happy to comment one last time if you decide to be tested and would like to let me know the result. However, I will have no more comments of any kind until and unless you do that. It's up to you.

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