[Question #7438] Follow up to question #7399

57 months ago

Hi Doctor HHH or doctor Hook,

Sorry I came back but your point two in last reply really freaked me out. Also I wanted to ask about my one more exposure. Sorry for the long post. Please don't get frustrated for this question.

In my last question, your second reply says my risk was zero for all practical purposes.

Also your last reply says

2) Again, nobody can say it's zero risk if infected fluids get inside a condom. But entirely unprotected vaginal sex carries only 1 chance in 2,500 or getting infected, obviously contact with the small amount of fluids inside a condom must be extremely low risk. I really wouldn't worry about it

Should I consider point 2 same as zero risk for practical purposes?

If not do you mean point 2 is therotical risk since nobody has infected this way in 40 years of pandemic or is it real extremely low risk. I think you would have asked me to test if there was slightest real risk right?

Do you still think that I don't need to test medical standpoint and recommend only if I want reassurance from negative results?

Sorry but please don't mind I'm not arguing with your replies but I really freaked out and wanted final clarification/confirmation. I hope this time I don't get confused with your reply.

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Also I had one more condom protected exposure in 2014.

I went to see CSW. I chose one went inside the room. The room was dark. I did not see her opening condom from wrapper. She put on condom and we had sex for max 10-15 seconds may be less. Because of guilt I stopped and left the place.

Is it possible for the women to contaminate the condom by putting it inside her vagina then reverse it such that fluids get trapped inside and then put it on my penis. If she were to do this to spread HIV, what is my risk here for 10-15 seconds of sex.

On medhelp for a similar question dr. Hook has replied below:

The situation your describe is simply not a realistic way for HIV to be transmitted from person to person. Not only do I doubt that the CSW who you interacted would do such a thing but I also am confident that if she had, and if she had HIV, the virus would not survive so that it could be transmitted to you. As you have already been told, the HIV virus is a fragile virus that starts to die as soon as it is outside of the body. I would not worry about this possibility and see no reason even for HIV testing related to this situation.

Do you agree with dr. Hook?

I am in depression now and never ever had any exposures apart from these two. I'm very much scared now. In both exposures I did not penetrated without condom and did not ejaculate and enjoy the act. I'll be very unlucky if I catch HIV even having condom protected sex and could transmit virus to my future wife.

Do you think I'm unnecessarily worrying too much for my no risk situations and at the point where I should seek psychological support for my anxiety?

Sorry for the long post. Thank you for bearing with me.

Thanks in advance!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

57 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry that you felt the need. On this occasion I'll be answering your question. I have reviewed your recent interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said. The exposure you describe was, for all practical purposes, a no risk exposure for which there is no reason for concern and no medical or scientific reason for testing. Dr. Handsfield and I both pride ourselves in providing science based responses to requests for information received on this Forum. In science, one can never say never as new information and rare events are being described on a daily basis. That said, I repeat, for all practical purposes, a no risk exposure for which there is no reason for concern and no medical or scientific reason for testing.

You have already acknowledged that you feel guilty about this encounter and that your guilt caused you to shorten your interaction with this CSW. I suspect your guilt is likewise causing you to return to our site for additional, repetitive verification that there is no reason for concern related to the activities that you describe. I stand by my prior comment made when we were using the MedHelp forum.

Please don't worry. EWH

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57 months ago

Hi Doctor,

I'm very nervous. Tomorrow I have decided to do test for reassurance as mentioned by Dr. Handsfield. It will be antibody test as these only two exposures occurred in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Do you think test will come 100% negative. I hope you've read each and every details I mentioned in the questions and then only provided assessment of no risk and no testing.

I pray to god to give me one more chance.

I don't know how I'll pass this time.

Have you or Dr. Handsfield has ever seen anybody turn positive with the similar kind of exposure as of me, on this forum or medhelp or in your clinic.

I wish everything will be alright.

Thank you!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

57 months ago

I'm sorry that you continue to worry about your close to no risk encounter. I have complete confidence that your follow-up test will be negative. We have never had a Forum client test positive following an exposure of the sort you describe- never! FYI, as long as you are pursing testing for reassurance, there is no reason not to be tested with a 4th generation, combination HIV Ag/AB test. That way you'll have been tested with two assays and can be doubly sure of your negative result.

Please don't worry. EWH

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57 months ago

Hello Doctor,

I read your last reply after my test as I wanted to stay off internet until getting the results.

My test results are NONREACTIVE for HIV1 and HIV2

Test was TRIDOT (EIA) antibody test.

How reliable this test is? I read on one of the post from Dr. Handsfield that it's reliable and similar to 3rd generation tests.

Do you think results are conclusive as my last exposure was in 2014(outside window period).

I hope I don't need any follow-up tests.

Also does antibiotics or any medication affect test results? Im on medication for H. Pylori infection and taking some vitamins also.

I want to move on and get happily married.

Merry Christmas doctor in advance!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

57 months ago

The Tridot HIV test is a highly reliable test for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies which has been well studied and is highly reliable. You should believe these test results. There is no need for continuing concern or further testing related to the encounter you described.

I'm pleased the information we have provided has been helpful. As you note, this will be the final replay made as part of this thread and the thread will now be closed. Take care. Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage. EWH

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