[Question #2668] hiv anxiety
95 months ago
|
I had sex with prostitute in india,I didn't see the condom after sex,my risk for hiv...if the condom had been teared...also I was drunk
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
95 months ago
|
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.
First, congratulations for having safe sex. Drunk or not, apparently you used a condom. Good choice -- it probably protected you from HIV and other STDs.
---In most parts of India, fewer than 5% of female sex workers have HIV, so probably your partner wasn't infected. Second, even without a condom, the average risk of HIV transmission by vaginal sex, if a woman is infected, is once for ever 2,500 exposures. So even if you had not used a condom, the chance you caught HIV can be estiated at 1 chance in 50,000 (0.05 x 0.0004 = 0.00002). And apparently you used a condom, so your risk probably is ten times lower than that.
For reassurance, you should be tested. You can contact local public health authorities or a local physcian familiar with HIV epidemiology in your area, for personalized advice about what tests to have and when. Based on what you say here, my advice would be to have an antigne-antibody ("4th generation") test in about 3 weeks and again at 6 weeks after the event. The first will be almost 95% relialble, the second 100%. You should also consider seeing a doctor or clinic for testing for other STDs, i.e. gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Also be on the alert for symptoms: if within 10 days you do not have discharge from the penis, painful urination, or penile blisters or sores, you can be pretty sure you weren't infected with these STDs.
I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
95 months ago
|
Doctor,I mean I didn't check the condom for tear ..however I never felt that it teared..but I was not seeing it while removing..do I need test
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
95 months ago
|
I understood about the condom. Of course I have no way to know if it broke: I wasn't there! But condom breakage usually is easilyelt and does not go unnoticed. So probably it remained intact.
---
From a strict risk assessment standpoint, you do not need testing. But since you're worried, you should consider it. Many people your situation are more reassured by a negative test than by professional reassurance, no matter how expert and how scientific. So it's up to you.
95 months ago
|
Doctor,today is 4th week following exposure...I did tridot rapid antibody test which is negative...now what you advise to me
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
95 months ago
|
Tri Dot is an older (second generation) antibody-only test, about 90% reliable at 4 weeks. Since there was almost no chance you were infected, you could consider this result conclusive. However, if you feel you need a 100% conclusive test, have an antigen-antibody (4th generation) test any time; or another Tri Dot test 2 months after the exposure.
That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. You can go forward with complete confidence you don't have HIV. If you have another test, stay relaxed until then: it will also be negative.
Best wishes and stay safe!
---