Thank you all so much for your continued assistance in regards to answering my questions about sexual health. It is very kind and always helpful!

I (male) had insertive vaginal sexual intercourse with a girl 3 weeks and 3 days ago (24 days total.) The sex was protected with a condom and I did not see any signs of the condom slipping off nor breaking afterwards. The only chance of a possible exposure that I can think of is the fact that I had slightly cut part of my groin shaving 1-2 days prior.

Either way, 23 days after the sexual incident I came down with severe body aches and a slight sore throat that has yet to go away (2 days total.) I do not currently have a fever and seemingly have no other symptoms.

I'm in an open relationship so I just want to see whether or not I should be worried about the possibility of having acquired HIV or any other STD for that matter and if these symptoms are indicative of HIV ARS. I will go get tested just to be safe but I wanted to see if I should cease all sexual activites with my partner (or anyone else for that matter) until then. Thank you again so much!

Your previous three threads asked questions similar to this one, and on quick scan I believe the replies now will be pretty much the same. HIV is rare in even the most sexually active females in the US; even without a condom, if the female partner is infected, the transmission risk is around once for every 2,500 episodes of unprotected vaginal sex; and I know we discussed that condoms are nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV transmission as long as the head of the penis and meatus (urethral opening) are covered. Symptoms of a new HIV infection begin 7-10 days (rarely beyond 2 weeks) after exposure, so your symptoms started much too late to be due to HIV. Pubic or groin area shaving is not known to significantly elevate the risk of HIV or any other STD.

So for sure you don't have ARS. Can you be 100% certain you don't have HIV? No, not quite -- but the odds are well under one chance in many million. If somehow I were in your situation, I would continue unprotected sex with my wife without no concern about infecting her with HIV or any other STD. But if you feel you need absolute certainty, you'll need an HIV AgAb (4th generation) blood test 6 weeks or more after the exposure 24 days ago. Or, if you're in touch with that partner, you could ask her to be tested. If she is HIV negative, you will know you were not exposed.

These comments really should reinforce what you already know. But do let me know if anything isn't clear or if you need further information.

HHH, MD

Thank you very much for the information. I was fairly certain everything was okay but I just wanted to be 100% sure. I hope you have a nice weekend!