What was the risk of contracting HIV?  Do you recommend I get tested?  Korea only has the Rapid test readily available anonymously. Is this reliable after 5 weeks? 

I am very nervous, and have been in a purely monogamous relationship, but just made a stupid mistake.  Worried about my family. Will never happen again.  I learned my lesson!

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be glad to comment.  The fact that your partner sometimes engages in unprotected intercourse defines this interaction as low but not now risk for HIV and other STIs. That you were taking doxycycline at the time of exposure means that you almost certainly will not get bacterial STIs such as syphilis or chlamydia and the risk for gonorrhea is quite low.  Without an outbreak 4 weeks after the incident pretty much eliminates the likelihood of herpes.  So, what about HIV? 

Most commercial workers globally do not have HIV and the prevalence of HIV in South Korea is relatively low so the odds that you were exposures are low.  Further, even if exposure, your risk for infection from a single exposure is likewise low with, on average, less than one infection occurring for every thousand exposures.  Your symptoms are not worrisome.  Thus, integrating all of this, your likelihood of infection is very low.  At the same time, I understand that you might like to have the assurance of a test.  Testing of course is a personal decision but here are the facts-   If the rapid test available to you is a combination HIV antigen/antibody test (so-called "duo" or 4th generation test) as is typically, then a negative test will be virtually definitive.  If the rapid test in an antibody only test, then the test would not entirely definitive as it would only detect about 90% of recent infections but even that result would reduce your likelihood of infection to less than 1 in a million. 

I hope this information is helpful.  If I were you I certainly would not be worried.  EWH

I have also had severe muscle tiredness and last yesterday developed a small rash (non-itchy) on my face, but I am guessing that is from shaving and trimming my beard earlier in the day (i don't shave often)  it seems to be dissipating.  I am guessing the severe muscle tiredness is due to the depression and anxiety, which is quite severe at times (no appetite for a month, etc).  Do ARS symptoms usually present after 5 weeks (5 weeks today).  Are they usually all at the same time, and what is duration?  I know it is not reliable for diagnosis, but this is for my comfort.

There was also no blood that I saw from her.  She used lubrication, and, like I said, duration was minimal (1-2 minutes).  I had no cuts or abrasions on my penis.  I cleaned about 20 minutes later.

Do you recommend testing at the 6 week mark?  When would the antibody only test be conclusive, should the test be only antibody? 

Do you have any other information/facts for me?  

I know you don't give recommendations for the anxiety/depression issue, but I am just trying to collect as much information as possible to hopefully alleviate my fears, not to mention, garner the courage to get a test.  I am quite freaked out, but will manage.

Thanks again for your information and advice!  I will save my final post for later, during testing, unless something new develops.

Estimates of the proportion of commercial sex workers in Korea with HIV are hard to come by but certainly the rate would be less than 10% and probably substantially lower making your risk for infection in the neighborhood of 1 in 10,000-12,000. 

The ARS typically occurs within a month of exposure among persons who acquire HIV and includes high fever, sore throat and sever muscle aches. Your symptoms really do not suggest the ARS.

Testing at this time is reasonable - a negative test will provide you with peace of mind.  The global standard for HIV testing at his time are combination HIV antigen/antibody tests which provide definitive results by 6 weeks after exposure.  A negative test would assure you that you were not infected.  An antibody only test might detect about 90% of all recent infections at 6 weeks but not all.

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH

I just received my results back of my 4th generation duo lab test. Labeled as  AIDS(HIV) Ag/Ab (combo   The result was negative. Can I assume that this is 100% definitive/reliable?  Or do I need to test one more time at 3 months. 

You've probably heard this so many times, but the hugest weight of anxiety has lifted off of me. I tried to tell myself the odds were in my favor, and was very high functioning with the depression, which I still feel a bit, but, I had convinced myself that I was positive. What a relief. 

Anyway, back to the question. 100% conclusive, right?  I can move on with my life?  Longest two months of my life!

Thank you so much for your expert advice. It is so great to be able to have this resource available, and I have learned so much from you and Dr. Handsfield from, admittedly, spending too much time on the internet. Albeit, I made it a point to mostly only read your stuff. 

Thank you all so much. I can't express how much you have helped me get through this!

Thanks for the follow-up and your confidendence in our services.  Your results are now completely reliable.  Results of HIV combination HIV antigen/antibody tests are definitive at any time more than 6 weeks after exposure.  You can be confident in you results and no further testing is needed.  Time for you to move on without concern.

As you know, this is my 3rd response and thus, as per Forum policy, this thread will be closed later today.  Take care.  EWH