[Question #9698] HIV risks
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30 months ago
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- I’ve been having a sexual relationship with someone for the past few months. The last time we were intimate was January 24th. Since then I’ve found out he was also in a whole relationship and ended up getting her pregnant. We have been having unprotected sex so now I’m concerned about my sexual health. I didn’t really pay attention to anything going on with my body. Not much has stood out as different. However about 2 weeks after my last encounter I noticed a rash on my neck. I also had a small cold nothing too severe. The rash has come and gone somewhat. It’s sometimes itchy, sometimes not. Could this be ARS symptoms? I have been losing my mind thinking I’m infected with something. I am so upset because he lied about his situation and could have possibly put me at risk. I did ask him the first time we had sex unprotected if he was clean as far as STDs and he said yes but it’s hard to believe him now since he has had a relationship while we were having sex. Should I get tested? I’m really frustrated and unsure of what I should do.
Also what is my risk of getting HIV or any other STD with this encounter?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
30 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thank for your confidence in our service although I'm sorry that you need it. I'll be glad to provide some information.
The likelihood that you were exposed to HIV is low. Far less than 1% of heterosexual men in North America have HIV and even when they do, the risk of infection is relatively low (on average, the risk of acquiring HIV from a person with untreated HIV is less than 1 infection per more than 1200 sex acts, in other words, for any single episode of vaginal intercourse, if your partner was infected (which is unlikely) there is a greater than 99.9% chance you WOULD NOT become infected. That is not to say you shouldn't test but the changes you acquired HIV from this person is miniscule.
The rash you describe does not sound like the rash of the HIV ARS. Persons with the ARS experience severe sore throats, high fevers, widespread muscle and joint aches and, in some cases a widespread rash involving the back and torso. Also the rash would not come and go in the way you describe.
My advice is to get tested. I suspect that like most people he did not have HIV or other STIs but testing makes good sense both to be sure you are not infected and for the peace of mind it will provide. Testing at this time for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas will provide reliable results. Testing for syphilis and HIV (even more unlikely than the other infections I mentioned) will not be entirely conclusive until 6 weeks following your last exposure although at 4 weeks results will be more than 99% conclusive.
I hope this information is helpful. Your risk of having any STI is quite low but, as I said, testing will be reassuring and hopefully help you to move forward without lingering concerns. EWH
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30 months ago
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So if I went to get tested at the end of this week would I need to test again after another week? I know you said it would be 99% effective at 4 weeks. Or would it make sense to just wait until the 6 weeks is up? Also- Would pelvic pain be an indicator of an sti? Just within the last day I’ve been having pain in the lower pelvic region and also lower back.. headaches off and on as well. Maybe it’s just my paranoia .. i feel it would be too late now for it to be anything std related since it's been almost a month. Or is that still possible?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
30 months ago
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If I were you and tested at this time, when I got my negative results I would not feel the need for further testing. Your risk for HIV is low to start with and it is extraordinarily rare for a person with a negative test at 4 weeks to go on and become positive.
There are many, many causes of pelvic pain and STIs are amongst them. Testing is reasonable. EWH
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29 months ago
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So I did get a std test at the 29-30 day mark after my last unprotected encounter. All results came back negative. Should I be confident that this is not anything related to any STD? I have noticed for the past week the rash on my neck has come back and I’ve had burning off and on in my vagina. Idk if I should be test for other stds like herpes or what? It’s been over 40 days now since I’ve had unprotected sex. I just don’t see how it could be anything STD related. My period is about to start so maybe this is all related to that. (Besides the rash).
You think I should just move on and be confident in my results?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
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Yes, based on your test results, you can be confident that you were not infected and presuming that the symptoms you describe occurred before you were tested, that your symptoms were not due to HIV. I agree that the symptoms you've noted are virtually certainly NOT related to your prior partner and move forward without concern.
I hope the information I've provided has been helpful. We provide up to three responses to each client's questions. As this is the 3rd response, this thread will now be closed.
Take care, please don't worry. EWH
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