[Question #9093] Fear of HIV from penis to vagina contact without penetration
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36 months ago
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Hello, i have previously asked a question here about the same subject almost a month ago. I had a sexual encounter with an escort, i was wearing a condom and grinding my penis (sorry English isn’t my first language) on her vagina without penetration, as i was grinding the condom broke, and my penis was in contact with her vagina for a maximum amount of 2 seconds until she pushed me off. Here i am, almost a month later, being a person who suffers from severe health anxiety as i was suffering from the fear of cancer for the past 6 years of my life, now it developed to a fear of HIV, im afraid that small contact could have allowed for the transmission of the disease, i started developing symptoms of mild headaches and hot flashes, and some other symptoms that could be related to HIV, which is funny because all these symptoms are related to anxiety, which i have, and allergies, which i also have, im asking this question because I don’t know what to do, i keep thinking about my future if i get this disease, in my entire life i have had a maximum of 5 sexual intercourse with the same escort and i am afraid i might have caught it with the condom breaking. Thank you for your help doctor!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
36 months ago
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Welcome back, but I'm sorry you felt the need.
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Your question last month apparently was about your most recent sexual experience, which was zero risk for HIV. You provide no new information about that event and I have nothing new to say about it. Now you also ask about your cumulative risk on account of 5 exposures. The chance you have HIV is nil. The large majority of escorts do not have HIV (which we discussed last time), and condoms work. Your symptoms are among the most common symptoms experienced by all human being from time to time, and I agree they could reflect your allergic history. They do not suggest HIV, which would never cause these symptoms alone.
In our previous discussion, I suggested HIV testing as a good idea from time to time in anyone sexually active outside a committed, mutually monogamous relationship. In addition, I now recommend it because the negative test result might be more reassuring than anything I can say. This does not mean I think there is any possibility you have HIV; I do not. I advise it strictly for reassurance purposes.
Finally, it appears that your unwarranted HIV fears are significantly affecting your life and happiness. If such anxieties continue after a negative HIV test (as I fear they will), I suggest psychological counseling. I hope you will seriously consider it, which I suggest from compassion, not criticism.
I will be happy to comment one more time if you would like to get tested for HIV and return to let me know the result. However, I will have no further comments or advice until then.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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35 months ago
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Hello doctor, i would like to follow up on my previous question, i have done a rapid test which turned out negative but it was not reassuring since it doesn’t show the virus this soon, i haven’t found any tests in my region that shows the virus much earlier, but im still searching for it. Anyways doctor i want to discuss the symptoms i have experienced this past 10-13 days, i have unlocalised rash all over my body but mainly on the top of my feet and arms, they are singular red spots that only itch when they show up but afterwards are itchy when i scratch them or im sweaty, they dont look the same, some like like acne with white heads and some are flat red spots, and some are raised red spots, i have also had mild headaches that come and go and a low to mid grade fever thats been constant throughout the day, im also experiencing loose stools that feels hard to push out, like constipated, but not at the same time, i also felt mild pain in my neck and muscles, and felt like my joints are weak for a short period, and i also feel fatigued, and also felt tingling sensation on my tongue with metallic taste which also lasted for a short period and also loss of appetite. Doctor i am writing this to find some assurance because i feel like im going insane to the point that i cant function anymore!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
35 months ago
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You don't say how long after your last exposure your rapid test was done. The negative result may be more reassuring than you think.
The symptoms you describe are not at all typical for a new HIV infection. Most of them sound psychological in origin -- or that your HIV anxieties are magnifying trivial symptoms or even normal body sensations and appearances that otherwise would not bother you, or that you might not even notice. If you want still further reassurance, do another rapid test. Even if too soon to rule out HIV, a negative result WILL prove that HIV is not the cause of your symptoms. (Symptoms of HIV are not caused by the virus itself, but by the immune response to HIV. Therefore, antibody tests always are positive in the presence of HIV symptoms; and a negative test result proves HIV isn't the cause.)
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35 months ago
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The rapid test was done 6 days ago, which was around 1 month after exposure, the only symptom I’m experiencing which is causing a lot of anxiety is the rash, do you think the rash i have explained resembles the one accompanied by a new HIV infection? And if you think a rapid antibody test can detect HIV after 1 month i will do another one tomorrow, thank you doctor for your time!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
35 months ago
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ARS never causes any single symptom. Rash alone cannot possibly be due to HIV -- and from your description, it doesn't sound like the right sort of rash anyway. And in my last reply I also explained why your negative test -- done 6 days ago -- shows that no symptoms you have are possibly caused by HIV.
Please do your best to understand, accept, and believe the reasoned, science based replies you have had both here and in your previous thread. There is no possibility you have HIV. Please move on without giving it another thought.
That completes the two follow-up exchanges included with each question and so ends this thread. Please note that repeated anxiety driven questions on the same topic are not permitted. This being your second about this exposure, your fears about HIV, and your test result, it will have to be your last. Such repeat questions are subject to being deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee, because the answers never change and always are obvious; and such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main goals. Thank you for your understanding. I do hope the two discussions have been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.
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