[Question #9462] Sex with a Transexual CSW, condom broke, risk of HIV?

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32 months ago
Hello Doc,

You were very helpful to me in the past so I decided to ask this here due to your trustworthiness.

I had intercourse with a CSW who happened to be a trans female. Condom broke during insertive rectal intercourse and my penis was maybe exposed for less than a second or two as she immediately noticed and pulled me out.

I had a small scratch on the exposed skin that was about to heal but was still there. I did not notice any blood or fluids on the condom or exposed skin and promptly put on a new one and continued, but I'm still very anxious about the whole ordeal.

Please kindly evaluate my risk of HIV or any other STI as there's still some time till I get tested and I've been living with the crippling anxiety of a possible infection. I know risks are much higher when it comes to rectal intercourse so this has me worried.

This happened in a country where transexual people are at risk of HIV and other STI's and where CSW is illegal. Even though she seemed to be practicing safe sex all the time, I'm still worried as condom breaking is considered unprotected sex.

I appreciate and look forward to hearing your response.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
Welcome back to our Forum and thanks for your vote of confidence.  I'll be glad to comment.  It appears that you have changed your user name so I cannot review any past exchanges you might have had with me or Dr. Handsfield so we'll start from zero.

From the sounds of your description you live in a place where there is an identifiable risk tht your partner may have had either an STI or HIV.  Most single exposures do not result in infection and while the duration of your exposure was brief, and logic tells us that exposures of shorter duration should be less risky there are no scientific data to validate this assumption.  Thus you may have been exposed.  If that is the case, as the insertive partner, if your partner had untreated HIV, your statistical risk is les than 1 infection per 1000 sex acts.  In addition, again IF your partner was infected, there is a statistical risk for acquisition of her STI.  The quickest and most definitive way to determine your risk for infection is to arrange for your partner to be tested.  If her tests are negative, there is no risk to you.  If that cannot be done, then, depending on how long ago this exposure occurred, you may wish to consider use of HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and testing for STIs.

If you could tell me how long ago your exposure occurred, I can provide more information.  EWH
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32 months ago
Hi Dr. Hook,

Thanks for your prompt and detailed response. Unfortunately I did lose my last account so had to create a new one. 

Although I like to think the short exposure duration makes it less risky, as you said, there is no evidence to support this. 

If my partner was positive but was on medication such as PEP, would that lower my chances of exposure? Also, would a little scratch on the skin (Not open wound, rather, almost healed with scab) increase my chances of infection?

At this point it's roughly been a little over 36-40 hours since the encounter. This happened in Turkey and although prevalence here is quite low, it's apparently been on the increase. Unfortunately she was a "street walker" so the option of getting her tested is slim to none. 

I have considered PEP but the medication here is not as easily accessible as back home, and although the statistical risk is low, it's still there.

Considering testing, how soon can I get my first test to make sure it's somewhat accurate? Or do you suggest PEP is a must at this stage?

Thank you
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
If you plan to start PEP, the sooner the better.  Current evidence suggests that PEP is of little help when started more than 72 hours after an exposure.  

The scratch would not meaningfully change your risk for acquisition of HIV.

If your partner is on effective treatment for her HIV, then there is no risk for infection- effective HIV treatment prevents transmission of HIV from infected to un-infected persons.

Given the variables you mention, I think a strong case can be made for seeking PEP even with a more than 99% chance that you were not infected.  PEP is typically well tolerated and highly effective.  If you choose not to, or cannot get PEP, then your can test with an HIV RNA PCR test as soon as 12 days following exposure.  If this test is negative, then, although a follow-up 4th generation combination HIV antigen/antibody test at 6 weeks is recommended, I have never seen or heard of someone who had a negative PCR test any time more than 12 days after exposure who went on to develop a positive test.  If HIV RNA PCR tests are not available, then at 4 weeks a 4th generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody test would be more than 99% conclusive.

I hope this information is helpful.  EWH
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32 months ago
Thanks Doctor,

It's comforting to hear the scratch does not change much, as it was initially my main doubt. The condom split into two so the tip may not have been exposed but the scratch definitely was. 

Indeed, I have a feeling I should be going for PEP as well although chances are low, better not take chances at all. I will try to get PEP out here and hopefully will, just in case I can't until the 72hr mark, will go for that PCR test back home. 

Did some research into the PEP they got here and I see people saying they took both Truvada and Isentress, although not sure if they both go at the same time? Please enlighten me a little about this, should I get both, and if so, how long and at what dose should I be using these for?

Other than HIV, should I get tested for any other STI? I think I will go for a general test that looks for most/all when the time comes. (12th day)


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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
Current recommendations would suggest that taking both Truvada and Isentress, taken at the same time for 30 days would be preferable.

In terms of testing for other STIs, you can test for gonorrhea and chlamydia and get conclusive results any time more than 3-4 days after your exposure.  For testing for syphilis, I would wait until at least 30 days following your exposure to test for reliable results.  

I hope this information is helpful.  As you know, we provide up to three replies to each client's questions.  Thus this will be the final response and the thread will be closed shortly.  Take care.  EWH
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