Aa
Please help, doctor.
Hello, I'll give a quick rundown of the events to keep this simple:
- January 17 - protected anal w/ male from internet.
- I inserted only a few times for less than 30 seconds, never finished, so I pulled out.
- Took condom off.
- About a minute later I masturbated myself with THE SAME HAND that I took the condom off - meaning that I touched whatever fluid/secretion was on the outside of the condom THAN I touched (masturbated) my UNCIRCUMCISED penis.
- 75 days later I tested negative at a local clinic using the finger stick test (results were back in only 15 minutes).
- Nurse told me I should still come back after 3 months and than after 6 months passes "just to be sure."
- After 92 days I went back (last week) and she refused to retest me b/c she said there is no way I could have gotten it that way. I wanted to ease my mind but she said I should seek help for worrying instead...
So my questions are:
- Is the 72 day test conclusive based on my exposure?
- Should I go to a different clinic to do the 3 month?
- Do I have to test again after 6 months?
- Was 15 minutes enough to get a good result or too short? (she said the manufacturer says 15 minutes)
- Do I have to confirm this negative result w/ a Western Blot?
Or do you have some other advice for me?
I keep reading about late seroconversion and how the mucous membrane AND an uncircumcised penis are ways of infection and I'm just still worried.
Thank you,
-M.T.
- January 17 - protected anal w/ male from internet.
- I inserted only a few times for less than 30 seconds, never finished, so I pulled out.
- Took condom off.
- About a minute later I masturbated myself with THE SAME HAND that I took the condom off - meaning that I touched whatever fluid/secretion was on the outside of the condom THAN I touched (masturbated) my UNCIRCUMCISED penis.
- 75 days later I tested negative at a local clinic using the finger stick test (results were back in only 15 minutes).
- Nurse told me I should still come back after 3 months and than after 6 months passes "just to be sure."
- After 92 days I went back (last week) and she refused to retest me b/c she said there is no way I could have gotten it that way. I wanted to ease my mind but she said I should seek help for worrying instead...
So my questions are:
- Is the 72 day test conclusive based on my exposure?
- Should I go to a different clinic to do the 3 month?
- Do I have to test again after 6 months?
- Was 15 minutes enough to get a good result or too short? (she said the manufacturer says 15 minutes)
- Do I have to confirm this negative result w/ a Western Blot?
Or do you have some other advice for me?
I keep reading about late seroconversion and how the mucous membrane AND an uncircumcised penis are ways of infection and I'm just still worried.
Thank you,
-M.T.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It wasn't rude at all. I just want all forum users, especially those who might post new questions, to know that as far as the moderators are concerned, "It's just the facts, Ma'am". We don't get into ethics and don't really want users to go there either.
Take care.
Take care.
Doctor, thank you for your words, help, and advice. I apologize for sounding so crass in my posts. I'm just a straight-to-the-facts kind of person and sometimes I say things that may sound offending.
Perhaps that last post from me was rude. I meant no disrespect to anyone.
I do take your advice to heart and seriously and I always practiced safe sex. Maybe its just my paranoia talking. OK, I'll shut up b/c I'm probably digging myself into a hole...
Thank you again.
Perhaps that last post from me was rude. I meant no disrespect to anyone.
I do take your advice to heart and seriously and I always practiced safe sex. Maybe its just my paranoia talking. OK, I'll shut up b/c I'm probably digging myself into a hole...
Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your swearing etc makes no difference. This forum doesn't moralize and I don't give a you-know-what about whether this is normal behvavior for you. I hope there isn't a next time on this forum from you, but if there is, please leave such comments off.
Most people, even commercial sex workers, don't lie about HIV status when asked directly. Yes you can "put this out of [your] mind for good".
Most people, even commercial sex workers, don't lie about HIV status when asked directly. Yes you can "put this out of [your] mind for good".
I swear this was the only time I ever did something like this. I was drunk and not thinking clearly but lucid enough that I remember the events and I'm certain I'm not omitting anything. This was from an escort site, does that make a difference? He actually told me he was clean and good hygiene but I'm not sure how much I can go by that...
One last thing - can I put this out of my mind for good??
One last thing - can I put this out of my mind for good??
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Makes no difference in my opinion or advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help. The bottom line is that you had safe sex and, since the condom remained intact, were not at risk. Changing condoms with the same had used for sexual stimulation is irrelevant and doesn't increase HIV risk. The only general advice I have is something you might be doing anyway, but you don't mention it: You must never have sex with another man without first discussing your partner's and your own HIV status. Even if condoms or other safe sex practices are planned, if you want to stay HIV free, you have to avoid sex with those who are postiive or who are evasive in their replies. Follow this rule, plus condoms for anal sex (either top or bottom), and you'll ever catch HIV. Ignore it and HIV likely is in your future.
That said, negative HIV antibody tests more than 6-8 weks after exposure are completely reliable. To the specific questions:
- "Is the 72 day test conclusive based on my exposure?" Yes.
- "Should I go to a different clinic to do the 3 month?" You don't need a 3 month test in this situation. If you decide to do it, it doesn't matter whether it's the same or a different clinic. How coudl that make a difference?
- "Do I have to test again after 6 months?" No.
- "Was 15 minutes enough to get a good result or too short? (she said the manufacturer says 15 minutes)" Makes no difference. The result is valid.
- "Do I have to confirm this negative result w/ a Western Blot?" No, that's never necessary. Western blot is never done in people with negative ELISA tests. It would be a waste of money.
"Or do you have some other advice for me?" See above about safe sex practices and "Do ask, do tell".
Regards-- HHH, MD
That said, negative HIV antibody tests more than 6-8 weks after exposure are completely reliable. To the specific questions:
- "Is the 72 day test conclusive based on my exposure?" Yes.
- "Should I go to a different clinic to do the 3 month?" You don't need a 3 month test in this situation. If you decide to do it, it doesn't matter whether it's the same or a different clinic. How coudl that make a difference?
- "Do I have to test again after 6 months?" No.
- "Was 15 minutes enough to get a good result or too short? (she said the manufacturer says 15 minutes)" Makes no difference. The result is valid.
- "Do I have to confirm this negative result w/ a Western Blot?" No, that's never necessary. Western blot is never done in people with negative ELISA tests. It would be a waste of money.
"Or do you have some other advice for me?" See above about safe sex practices and "Do ask, do tell".
Regards-- HHH, MD
Forgot to mention - about 4 weeks past encounter I had pneumonia for about 2 weeks...
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