I'm writing a follow up to my original post [Sexual Encounter Concerns because I still feel like I am undergoing symptoms and this is really weighing me down both physically and psychologically.
It's been approximately 15 days since the sexual encounter that has got me so concerned. In brief I had vaginal intercourse with a female friend [whose recent sexual history I have no idea about and who told me that she went through a period where 'of not caring' who she slept with] three times and had unprotected oral sex performed on me before and after numerous times. Aside from this I am worried there may have been other unprotected areas of contact such as removing my contact lenses after I had removed the condom following the first time [I did run my hands under hot water]. A few days after while cuddling with the same girl [we have not had sex since] a recent tattoo site of hers [~5 hours old] brushed against an uncovered day old needle prick on my arm [I had had blood drawn the day before by the doctor] and I distinctly recall it stinging/feeling uncomfortable. I should also mention that while watching a movie with her some fluid [I'm not sure what !] managed to flick into my eye which remained stinging for one day and also caused the 'sleep' in the morning to be slightly green and moist for a number of days.
As of last Monday [7 days ago] I have had a persistant headache at the back of my head. From the end of last week I have consistently been kept awake during the night with chest pains and abdominal pains - which are especially bad in the morning but usually normalise when I get up. Perhaps the most worrying symptoms I have been experiencing are a general lack of energy and fitness [I used to be quite active especially at the gym until this whole episode] to the point where I get stitches when I walk a few blocks. Of paramount concern to me are the white spots I've seemed to develop on my upper and lower arms along with the tops and especially the palms of my hands. I realise it is the heighth of Summer but I have never had this type of pigmentation before - to the point where it looks like a rash. Finally, I've also had a distinct tightness in my throat stemming from last Friday, it feels tender and slightly painful around my lymph nodes in my neck and also my right armpit but they are not currently swollen. There is however, a strong crackling in my ears when I swallow.
I'd like to ask that based upon what I have described above, do you think I have grounds for concern - especially vis-a-vis a potential HIV infection?
I should also mentioned that in an attempt to alleviate my fears I saw a specialist in infectious diseases last Thursday - he did not seem particularily concerned although he pointed out that STIs have a delayed reaction in terms of symptoms. He referred me to a lab where I could get a PCR-RNA Quantative test done but told me that I had to wait at 'least another week' - which is surprising given that its now been over 2 weeks since the potential exposure. Do you think that if I went tomorrow that would be too soon?
I realise that I have analysed this all forensically but the anxiety it is causing me is enormous.
Hello,
Thank you for your post and welcome to our forum.
From the point of view of risks of HIV infection, I believe this to be very low in your case. You do not know the status of the lady and she is much more likely to be negative anyway. And even in the event of her being positive, the risk for you is still very low.
I would disregard symptoms as they are not helpful. The symptoms you describe are not typicla of HIV sero-conversion and they are much more likely to be something totally unrelated, compounded by the stress and anxiety that you are going through.
You can get a highly reliable test result if taking a PCR RNA test after 7-10 days. I am pretty sure that this is going to be negative.
Kind regards,
José
I have begun to become more relaxed about the incident after talking with a few people. I plan to get the test done tomorrow. The only thing that I am currently thinking about now is the risk of 'false positives' from the RNA PCR Quantative test - I have read on some medical websites that there is a small, but notable, chance of this occuring.
On my referral my doctor also recommended I get an 'RNR' and HIV Genotype test - could you shed any light of whether these will be accurate given the time period.
I've obviously had a look through the exchanges so far and I agree with Jose - I think I would be firmer and say that I do not believe there would be any chance of you contracting HIV from this. The reason for this certainty is that you seem to have had protected sex with the lady - you mention a condom. The unprotected oral is not of any consequence in terms of HIV. The fingers/condom/eyes/tattoo etc is just too tenuous for anything to be even remotely likely.
I have no idea why your doctor has asked for genotyping - we do that with new HIV positives but only so we can be sure we do not expose them to medications to which their virus would be resistant. In the absence of a true HIV positive diagnosis I would not do that. Ask him why he's asked for it.
A PCR - we run RNA PCR's - will be certain. I have never seen a false positive though I have read of them - we do lots and lots of these tests every month and I am confident that they perform very robustly and well and carry no more risk of false results than any other biological tests.
Thank you Dr. Jose and Dr. Sean for your advice - both your posts have certainly helped me to relax and put things in perspective. I had a PCR-RNA test done yesterday and am now awaiting the results. The 'Geno-type' test was a misprint and it turns out I was not perscribed to take it.
Sadly since I last posted I have developed a terribly itchy throat to the point where it feels like it is swelling so much that I had to unbotton the top of my shir and loosen my tiet at work and purchase some ibuprofen. At almost 3 weeks since my 'potential' exposure, do you think this is any cause for further concern? I should say that I already suffered from a bad summer flu/cold about 10 days ago.
Potential STI Symptoms following Sexual Encounter
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