[Question #3949] Unprotected sex and then flu like symptoms
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85 months ago
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Hi, Doc thanks for all that you do. Here is my story. I (29 year old female) recently had unprotected sex with a new partner while on my period several times over a week long span (with 29 year old male who doesn't know his current status). We had both vaginal and oral sex. About 2 days after the first encounter I started to have flu like symptoms. I became very lethargic, had a sore throat, headaches, the chills, and hot flashes. I have now been having these symptoms for about a week and a half. At times my symptoms seem worse than others and it has been causing me a great deal of anxiety. I wanted to know if I could possibly have a STI such as HIV. I know that people who contract HIV often experience flu like symptoms but I am not sure if my symptoms are too early or not?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
85 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment. From a statistical perspective this exposure was low risk and your symptoms, while amongst those which are described for persons with recently acquired HIV have occurred too early to represent the ARS Acute Retroviral Syndrome) which sometimes accompanies recently acquired HIV. Further comments:
1. Most heterosexual men do not have HIV unless they also inject drugs and even then, the infection is relatively rare. From a statistical perspective, the probability that your partner had HIV is less than a fraction of 1%. Further, even most unprotected exposures do not lead to infection. The likelihood of HIV transmission through vaginal intercourse is less than 1 infection per 1000 acts of intercourse and the risk for oral sex is lower still.
2. Sex during your menses does not increase your risk for acquiring HIV or any other STI. This is a common misperception.
3. The timing is wrong The ARS typically occurs around 1-3 weeks after exposure. Further, when it occurs there tend to be high fevers. Far more likely you have one of the "run of the mill" flu-like illnesses that most persons acquire from time to time.
4. Your risk for other, bacterial STIs like chlamydia is substantially higher than your risk for HIV. I would suggest that you seek screening for STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichamonas. Testing for these problems with be reliable. Testing for HIV will not be conclusive until about six weeks after exposure, the same time frame as for syphilis blood tests.
I hope this information is helpful. EWH
p.s. It would also be a good idea for you partner to get STI screening as well, not necessarily because of risk but because it is a good sexual health practice and STIs can be present without symptoms in both men and women. EWH
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85 months ago
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Thank you for your response doctor. My follow up question is... Should I refrain from having sex again until after all these tests are done? I am not staying with the partner that I was recently with. Honestly it was a huge mistake on my part and I do not want to be with him long term. Now, I am concerned that if I do have something and then meet someone in the up coming weeks, that I shouldn't have protected sex with with him. I just don't want to spread anything to anyone.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
85 months ago
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On one hand, the odds are n your favor and I don't see a compelling need for urgent testing. OTOH, I think you will feel better when you get tested, at least for the bacterial infections I mentioned which are the important ones. EWH---
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85 months ago
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My last question is in regards to testing. If my first session with that partner was on June 27th and my last session with that partner was on the 1st of July at what point will I know that I am free and clear of STDs? I will be going in for a STD screening on the 14th and then I am going on vacation at the end of the month. I am just worried about something popping up in that window of time and wanted to know if most STIs are pretty obvious early on.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
85 months ago
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Your testing on the 14th will be conclusive for the most common STIs, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichamonas. The risk for other STIs is very, very low but testing would not conclusive until about 6 weeks after your last encounter. If I were you, once you have your tests from the 14th, I would move on without concern.
As you know, we provide up to three responses to each question. this is my 3rd reply and thus this thread will be closed in a few hours without further responses. Take care and please don't worry. EWH
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