[Question #2647] Protected Sex (HIV Risk?)

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96 months ago
Hi Doctor,
I had protected vaginal intercourse with a girl whom I know for the last one month. I don't know her HIV status. We had sex for 11 times during the the month. We used condom all the time and the condom seemed intact. And out of the 11 times I checked the condom for 8 times by filling it with water. No leakge was found. After 10 days of the last exposure I got shoulder pain.
Does the symptom sounds like ARS? 
What are my risks of getting HIV?
I am planning to do HIV RNA Pcr on the 14th day of the exposure and a 4th gen HIV test on the 28 day mark.
Kindly advice on my test plans.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
96 months ago
Welcome to our forum. This was a very low risk series of exposures and not something that I would worry about if I were you.  Statistically your partner is unlikely to have HIV and you used condoms, the most effective way to prevent STIs.  There is no reason for you to worry that your condoms did not work, as you proved by testing them after use of 8 occasions (something that is not necessary- when condoms fail there is no question that they failed and checking is not needed).  If I were you, I would not be worried at all. this was a close to a no risk event. 

Isolated shoulder pain is not a sign of the ARS.  The ARS typically presents with high fever, sore throat and many sore muscles and joints. 

If you do a PCR on day 14 and it is negative, you do not need other testing.  If you choose to follow this up with a combination HIV antigen/antibody test, results are not definitive until 6 weeks (day 42) although nearly all persons with HIV would have a positive test by day 28.

Another approach to testing would be to arrange for your partner to be tested.  If she is negative, then she could not have transmitted HIV to you and you have nothing to worry about.  

I hope these comments are helpful
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96 months ago
Hi,
Thanks a lot for your reply. Just forgot to mention that she also gave me a handjob once, however I understand that mastrubation is a no risk activity even if some amount of vaginal fluid is present.
Just wanted to know whether we can keep this thread open so that I can post my results week?
I have ordered RNA Pcr for both hiv-1 and Hiv-2.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
96 months ago
Correct, receipt of masturbation in no way changes my assessment.

Yes, the thread can be kept open.  You are permitted one further question.  I would suggest you wait to use it until you have your test results which I am confident will be negative.  EWH
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96 months ago
Hello sir,
I got my results back today. Due to anxiety instead of waiting 14 days I did the Pcr test on the 12th day
So day 12: HIV 1 RNA Pcr quantitative-not detected
Day 12:HIV 2 rna pcr quantitative -not detected
Day 17: 4th gen HIV ab/ag combo -non reactive
Day 17:HIV 1 RNA Pcr quantitative different lab -  < 72 iu/ml (72 is the minimum detection limit of the assay)

Sir what are my chances of getting a positive duo test at 28 and 42 days?
Cause I had some symptoms starting on the 14th day i.e. nausea 2 days, 2 days scratchy throat, 1 day soar throat and 3 days cough with phelgm. 
Are these ars symptoms?
Thanks for help in advance.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
96 months ago
The symptoms you describe are not the typical ARS syndrome and the fact that you had multiple negative PCR tests now prove that you did not get HIV and that your symptoms are not due to HIV.  It is time for you to put your fears aside and move forward without concern.  You did not get HIV from the exposures you mention.

This is my third reply to your questions.  Thus, as outlined in the introductory materials to the Forum, this thread will now be closed and there will be no further replies.  Time for both of us to move on.  Take care.  EWH
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