[Question #7764] Regarding Thread - Question #7590

52 months ago

Dear doctor,

This is related to my 4 year old encounter where in I had unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex. You said it was virtually no risk and I should move on. So again I am coming up with same encounter would mean I could not follow the sane advice.

Some additional information from this encounter :

1. we also involved in kissing and some genital rubbing before I put on the condom and engaged in vaginal sex. Does that increase my risk ?

2. I contacted her and asked if she is clean and she told me she was. After that she was pissed which I think makes sense.

3. Since this extreme anxiety is not helping anyone, I decided to take a self test here in Germany to put this behind me, for this, I have ordered a Ratiopharm autotest VIH and an Exacto HIV selbsttest. Are these trustable ?

I think I am so anxious as I suffer from extreme anxiety and as we are trying to get pregnant and this one encounter is not letting me think straight about parenthood.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

52 months ago

Welcome back to our forum. I am sorry you continue to worry about the no risk in counter that you have described. The additional information you provide certainly does not suggest any reason for continuing concern.

1. As I have already informed you, kissing of any sort is a no risk event. The medical term for general rubbing of the sort you describe is called frottage. There is no risk for HIV or other STI’s from frottage.

2. If anything her response affirms the no risk nature of the event you have described. It certainly provides no reason for continuing to worry.

3. I am not familiar with the two tests that you describe however, as a generalization, the testing available in Germany is highly reliable and should be trusted.

As I have told you before. The encounter you described was a no risk event and you should make every effort to move forward without continuing concern. If you cannot do that, my sincere advice is to speak with a counselor to help address your unwarranted anxiety. EWH

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52 months ago

I took the tests I ordered from Amazon and fortunately both are negative.

But anxiety again got the better of me and now I am worried if there is a possibility of getting infected from the lancets that were delivered as part of these tests.

My irrational fear is that if someone used these lancets and packed them again.

Should I again wait for 3 months to test again ?

I know this is a vicious cycle I have gotten myself into and I am planning to seek help for my unwarranted anxiety but just wanted to understand if there is even an existent risk or am I worrying for nothing ?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

52 months ago

I agree. It is implausible that you would infect yourself with HIV by using a lancet sent to you through Amazon as part of your diagnostic tests. Not only has nothing like this ever happened but it is scientifically impossible. There is no need for further testing related to the situation you have described.

Please seek counseling. EWH

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52 months ago

Thanks for your reply Doctor.

There has to be something wrong with me mentally if words like "scientifically impossible" also don't alleviate my concerns.

I will try to put this behind me for good and seek help for anxiety if it persists.

Thanks again.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

52 months ago

You are welcome. Once last time, Please seek counseling. Your record of past questions and unnecessary worries suggest it would be most beneficial. This concludes this thread. EWH---