I am a 32 year old male and recently had a boys trip to India. Unfortunately I had 2 episodes where my condom split. Each with a different escort. The first episode happened on the 7th Feb 2010 and the second in the early hours of 14th Feb 2010. Neither myself or the escorts performed oral sex but we did kiss with tongues. However, as soon as we realised the condom had split, a new one was put on and we carried on. Both times I ejaculated outside with the condom still on. As far as I know the girls were clean but there was no confirmation of this. Since coming back from my holiday I have suffered from an infection in my lower lip which was swollen to 3 times the normal size and was extremely painful. I was also put on antibiotics for a week and this has now cleared the infection. After this, I started to get muscle pain in my legs and arms but that has now disappeared. I have not had any fever, sore throat or any flu like symptoms. However, over the last 2-3 days, I started to get a pain in my lower left abdomen (above groin) which was quiet painful to the touch... the pain is not as strong anymore but is pretty much across the front, from left to right below my belly button but above the groin area. I have also started to get lower back pain on the right side. I am really worried and the anxiety is killing me. Pleae can you advise me as to what you think I may have? Could it be HIV or just a standard STD? Your urgent response and help will be much appreciated.
Hello,
Many thanks for your post. First of all, I would like to reassure you about HIV. None of these symptoms would be those of acute HIV sero-conversion and the risk of having contracted HIV after those two brief condom failures would be extremely low. The lip infection might be related to the kissing; however I would think it is just probably coincidental. However these sexual encounters are not completely free of any STD risks and some of these symptoms might be related to one of the most common ones and I woudl advice you be tested. It might be worth you having a full STD screening for your peace of mind, anyway. The msot important test I would recommend is a urien test for Chalmydia and Gonorrhoea, as wel as a urethrals wab for other infections causing NSU. I think if you get these tests done and they do not show anything, that would be enough to help with your anxiety.
Best wishes,
Jose
Many thanks for your quick response and help. It has managed to give me some peace of mind for now but I shall come in to have a full STD screening. Please can you advise the cost of this? Do you recommend to have the HIV Duo test done also... just as a peace of mind?? I
Many Thanks
Sean this time. I agree with what Jose has said and I think the risk is actually low but I understand why you want to be sure.
Our charge for an STD screen including HIV DUO, syphilis, hepatitis B together with chlamydia and gonorrhoea, ureaplasma and mycoplasma and NSU testing is £295. You will have the blood results for HIV, syphilis and hep back in 4 hours, and the other tests usually in 24 to 48 hours.
Thanks for your reply. Am I definitely a low risk of having been infected with HIV considering the situation of my episodes? Also, if I have a general STD screening done (without the HIV test) and all is clear...does this mean I do not need to do the HIV duo test? I am pretty scared and hope I have not contracted HIV.
Please advise me on what you think I should do.
Yes, although technically a "high risk" because you had an unprotected epsiode when the condom failed with a sex worker the facts are ;-
The chances of you acquiring HIV on a single occasion even if the lady concerned was HIV positive is less than 0.9% on each occasion
The actual episode itself was very brief limiting the exposure
Most people - over 70% will have symptoms suggestive of acute early HIV disease/infection between 2 and 4 weeks afterwards. You do not have symptoms suggestive of HIV
As Jose has said, you do need to have some basic STD tests - my advice would be that if you were to do those then you should take the opportunity and have an HIV DUO also. I do understand you point about feeling anxious etc regarding the test but we'll have the result back very promptly for you as indeed will most of our private competitors in London.
Many thanks for your advice. Firstly I would like to thank you and Dr Jose on your advise as it has really made me feel a lot more relaxed and at ease knowing that the probability of me having contracted HIV is pretty minimal. However, the mind does play funny tricks on you and deep down, I am still pretty worried so will have the full STD inc HIV Duo screening done.
Can I please ask the following:
1)How long will the actual appointment take for me to have these tests done once I come into your clinic as I intend to take the day off work?
2) Do I need to fast the night before or not to go to the loo (to urinate) before I come in?
3) How many samples of blood will you take for the whole screening?
4) Which doctor will I see when I come in? I would preferably like to see you or Dr Jose as you know my situation.
Many thanks for your reply. Firstly, I would like to thank you and Dr Jose for putting me out of my misery (to an extent) by telling me the low stats on me having contracted HIV which is a great relief...trust me...i have been worried sick over the last week or so. However, until I am not fully tested it still is of grave concern but I feel confident that the HIV Duo test will show negative as per your advice.
I will definitely be coming in to do the full STD screening as recommended and also to give me peace of mind.
I wanted to ask you the following:
1) Before I come in to have the tests done, do I need to fast the night before or do anything in particular?
2) How long will the actual appointment last...i.e: total time required for the full screening? (As I will be taking the day off work).
3) Will I be seen by yourself or Dr Jose? I would prefer this as you are aware of my situation.
4) How much blood is taken during these tests?
The appointment will take between 20 and 30 minutes and a number of small bottles of blood will be taken - 2 at most, using one needle injection only. It's best to avoid passing urine for the two hours or so if you can manage it before you attend and then to pass a sample in the clinic. You don't need to fast or do anything special. You can book with any of us - just let reception know and they will happily fix that for you.
I am coming in to see you on mon 15/03/2010 to have a full STD inc HIV Duo test. However, I have become a little concerned as over the last 2 days or so I have developed approx 3 very small (approx 1mm) ulcers on my tongue.
I have read on your website and on the internet in general that ulcers can also be an indication of HIV contraction. However, I have not had any fever or a sore throat. Am I being paranoid and reading to much into it? I have also read that stress, anxiety and even being run down can cause mouth ulcers.
If I was to get the main symptoms of HIV contraction, would I be more likely to get a few together ie: high fever and sore throat at the same time etc etc?
Your advice and reassurance will be greatly appreciated.
Urgent Help - Scary Episode advice please
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