[Question #9174] Hiv testing

Avatar photo
35 months ago
Hello,
I have an encounter with a female (colleague) on 21st of august. I performed unprotected cunnilingus and she performed unprotected fellatio for approx 10-15 mins, and then we had protected sex. Since then, im really scared of HIV. I asked her and she said she had been tested negative on aug 8, by 3rd generation rapid antibody testing. But im still anxious abt it. Since then, i have like a flu like symptoms (the weather here in my place is either extreme hot or extreme rain everyday), and stiffness in the neck and jaw. I cant see any swollen lymph node but sometimes it feels like numb/sting from neck to jaw, left only. Is it a STD symptom?

Also, I actually do testing regularly as well, but with a 3rd generation rapid finger prick HIV. I know the conclusive result should be 12 weeks after last encounter. But how about 4-6-8-10 weeks? I know its not conclusive but is it accurate enough with that kind of testing?

Thank you so much doctor. Honestly searching on google just give me more anxiety because of the mix information about this topic. I hope i can hear it from the experts. 
Avatar photo
35 months ago
Im also under pep from my online consultation due to my anxiety, which are tenofovir, lamivudine, and lopinavir-ritonavir. Could my symptoms are actually just side effects of the pep? 
Avatar photo
35 months ago
Sorry doctor, in addition to that, i have like a stiffness in from neck to cheek, kinda bit like swollen but i cant see the swollen lymph node. It might make a feeling of stuffed ear. Do you think its possible that im infected with oral hpv as well? 
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
35 months ago
Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be glad to comment.  The encounters you describe were very, very low risk for HIV and if you had asked me whether or not you needed PEP, I would have said no.  HIV is rare in women, your partner stated she had tested negative and most people tell the truth, condom protected sex is safe sex, cunnilingus is close no no risk and no one has ever been proven to acquire HIV from receipt of oral sex.  Treating misplaced anxiety with PEP is not advised.  

If your flu-like symptoms were due to recently acquired HIV, a 4th generation test would be positive at that time and, while data are lacking on this, a 3rd generation test would likely be positive just a few days afterward since the flu-like symptoms caused by recently acquired HIV are due to the interaction of the virus with rising antibody levels.  If you can find a 4th generation test, a negative test will prove that your symptoms were not due to HIV.

Taking PEP will prolong the time it takes for you to have a conclusive test result.  For persons not taking PEP the results of 3rd generation HIV tests are conclusive 8 weeks after an exposure and results of 4th generation tests are 99% conclusive at 4 weeks and entirely conclusive at 6 weeks.  

My advice is for you to make the effort it takes to find a 4th generation test to prove to yourself that the recent symptoms you have experienced are not due to HIV.  4th generation tests are widely available throughout the world.

I hope this information and suggestion is helpful.  EWH


---
Avatar photo
35 months ago
Thanks doctor. How about the stiffness in my neck and jaw, stuffed ear, and swollen muscle (probably not lymph node) on the jaw? Is it due to hpv infection from cunnilingus Or it might be stress-related tmj disorder? And is it easy to transmit hpv from oral sex?
Avatar photo
35 months ago
Sorry, additionally i have no sore throat nor cough
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
35 months ago
Same response.  Unlikely to be due to HIV.

HPV is rarely acquired from oral sex, takes months to appear, and when present is almost often asymptomatic.  

Work to control your anxiety over the low risk exposures you described.  EWH
---
Avatar photo
35 months ago
Thanks doctor. Last question.

Supposely the female has a visible anal hpv (warts). Is the risk of hpv transmission of the cunnilingus act (without contact from the anal) still low?

Thankyou for your time doctor. Hopefully this helps my anxiety issues
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
35 months ago
We provide up to 3 responses to each client's questions.  As this is my 3rd response, this thread will be closed soon after this reply without further responses.  

Yes, the risk for acquisition of oral HPV through cunnilingus is low, even when partners have visible genital warts.  This is all the more the case of the exposure is cunnilingus but the warts are iat the anus.

As I've implied, my sense is that you are overstating the risk and over reacting to the risk associated with the very low risk exposure you have described.  I urge you to discuss your concerns and reactions to them with a professional counselor.  I suspect this will be much more helpful to you than PEP or my specific replies.  Take care.  EWH
---