Unprotected Vaginal and Testing Question

[Belltoll]

Good morning,

So here is my story. My wife and I ended up having a threesome with a girl I go to graduate school with. It was the first time we did anything like this, and under the influence of wine probably was not the best idea, but it happened. So in the the beginning it was protected but as the night went on a condom was not used. It was 2-3 times vaginal sex, unprotected. The next day and several weeks after I kept asking her if she was tested and said yes several months ago and has not been with anyone else for 3 months before and after the test. Anyway my thoughts have got the best of me and did not believe her. Went for HIV rapid blood test, Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia at 20 days, all negative. Then I had a panicked again and went to a clinic at 26 days about 3 1/2 weeks since and they did another rapid which was negative and the doc took blood to do an RNA test, as he said if this is negative you should not worry anymore and hopefully your anxiety will decrease; it was negative. I was wondering if I should go for a 5 or 6 week test? I have had minor symptoms, but most likely psychosomatic, kind of a burning transient pain in groin and thighs nodes are slightly swollen but I have been touching them a lot, some little red bumps on arm which are almost gone, minor sore throat (been smoking cigarettes again like a maniac). So what do you think I should do? Thanks so much doctor.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This question is repetitive. Please re-read my answer.

Your wife is right.  You should not be worried.  EWH

[Belltoll]

Very helpful, thank you. Does the fact that the pcr rna was done at 26 days not 28 influence your decision not to test again. My wife is not worried but i am. Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  Errors in judgment have a way of creating great concern and guilt.  Most people do not have STIs and most exposures do not lead to infection.  In the case of you and your wife, your partner has provided you with reassurances that she does not have STIs, including HIV and it is hard to fathom why, after the fact, she would not tell the truth.  Further, you have now been tested repeatedly for a variety of STIs including HIV.  The combination of a negative test for both HIV antibody and virus (i.e. in your case, the PCR) provides conclusive results at 4 weeks.  You were tested at 3 1/2 weeks and given the nature of your exposure, my advice would be to not worry further.  I see no reason for further concern or for further testing/

I hope this comment is helpful to you. EWH