I had no more than 5 minutes of insertive vaginal unprotected sex with a female sex worker in London. Sex worker was not English, was white European. Never had unprotected sex before this. I have not had any sex after this.

I went for a Full sexual health screen including HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia. This was done at a NHS Hospital GUM clinic in London. This was done in October 2011. Blood was drawn from my vein in arm.

My result at 25 days post exposure: ALL NEGATIVE

I went again at 41 days post exposureFull sexual health screen including HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia: ALL NEGATIVE

My question what is my risk from this encounter bearing in mind it was a sex worker I had sex with?

What HIV test do you believe the NHS Hospital GUM clinic in London used for me? Was this a accurate test in the time tested post exposure? Was it a fourth generation assay that tests for HIV antibody AND p24 antigen simultaneously?

Do I need another test for HIV?
Do you believe I am HIV positive?

But is it not true that all sex workers have HIV

is it also possible that because I did not get other STI's that HIV infection was very low for me if she had it but had no other STI?

[Dr Sean]

Hello,

Luckily, most female sex workers in the UK do not have HIV. In fact, the rate of HIV infection amongst female sex workers is low - and very similar to that of the background "normal" ie non sex worker population.

Whatever the status of the lady in question, you have established quite definitely that you do not have HIV or seemingly any other STD. The HIV tests used in the NHS should be fourth generation HIV tests as per the Dept of Health and British Association for Sexual Health Guidelines.

Very best wishes, Sean