[Question #1851] Finer points on HIV
97 months ago
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Dear Doctors,
I have already enquired about this scenario with you but would like to clarify some finer points after having done more reading/research. Basically I made the mistake of consorting with a CSW in Melbourne (Australia) a few weeks ago. Everything was protected, but just before putting the condom on, she applied some kind of substance to my penis. Most likely it was lubricant, but she displayed a rude/hostile attitude to me and was inconsistent/evasive about her nationality (first Thai then Chinese). This set off alarm bells, what if it was some infected vaginal fluid? She displayed poor character, although the testing/protection legal framework here is pretty good.
1) I know that it has been repeatedly stated, by yourselves and other highly experienced people, that hand-genital contact even with infected secretions does not transmit HIV. However, it is a globalised world with different subtypes of HIV (some purportedly more infectious). Could there be certain subtypes of HIV brought in from outside the Western world, that could break that precedent?
2) Your posts also frequently reassure patients who have had unprotected sex that the likelihood of getting HIV, even if the woman were infected, is 1 out of 1000-2000. However I think there is quite a bit of margin for error there, other factors are important like viral load and presence of other STDs. I've read that in some developing countries, the figure is more like 1/200. Surely that needs to be taken into consideration, particularly for questioners overseas?
3) I have decided to get tested as soon as I have crossed the window period. A negative result would be proof, and an unlikely positive result ought to be responded to with immediate treatment. I am apprehensive about living with HIV because there remain big hardships despite treatment, but nothing encourages me more than news of medical progress in the area. What are your views on future improvements in HIV prevention, treatment, or even cure?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
97 months ago
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97 months ago
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
97 months ago
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97 months ago
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![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
97 months ago
|