[Question #13568] HIV exposure? PEP needed?
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3 hours ago
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Hello doctors,
Today at 3:30 AM Í had intercourse with an unknown status HIV female partner. She performed oral sex without protection, then during the intercourse the first condom broke (I was inside of her) but I noticed inmediately and used a different condom. Then she performed oral sex again using the second condom and we kept the intercourse. After the act I did check the second condom and had a puncture close to the tip when I did the metod with the water sink to check holes.
Do I need to take PEP? Today is Sunday and my only option is going to an ER right away to get this prescribed. She said that she is clean but is not possible for me to check that fact. Time is running and tomorrow will be the second day. Please address my ris and if I really need to incur in the cost that means adquire the PEP.
Thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
2 hours ago
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Welcome back to the forum.
We do not give specific medical advice for or against PEP after sexual exposures. Most likely it isn't necessary, but that decision must be made by in-person care with a provider who understands the local risks and frequency of HIV. Even if your partner has HIV, the chance you were infected probably was very low, given the brief time of unprotected vaginal exposure; and oral sex almost never transmits HIV. The large majority of sexually active women do not have HIV; and most women who say they have been tested recently and not infected are telling the truth. However, a local HIV clinic or emergency department might know more than I do (or than you do) about the statistical chance a partner like yours has HIV.
Therefore my advice is that you visit the ER or other source of expert care and discuss the details with them -- including everything you know about your partner -- and make a decision together whether to take PEP. Most likely it isn't necessary, but better safe than sorry.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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