HIV worries

[robrien]

Hi Drs,

I'm based in Dublin and I had an incident last year which warranted PEP, I completed it and my 16 week test was negative.

Four weeks ago I was in London on business and decided to have a massage (not sexual in anyway just a massge albeit with a porn star - which at the time I did not know). The massage went well however I have a large spot on my back that I have had for years (almost like a big whitehead). For some reason the masseuse tried to squeeze it to drain it, he was squeezing really hard and kept asking me if I could feel it, trying to 'man up' I replied that I couldnt feel anything despite the fact that it was really sore. As I was leaving he handed me his card for his other work which is porn- shocked me (bareback porn), I became convinced that the had used something on me to try and drain the spot (either a needle or tweezers) and looked him up on the internet from the card he gave me and got a bit more concerned as he clearly has lots of unsafe sex. I asked my colleague to check my back, he said the spot was red but didn't look like it had been poked with anything. I called the guy and he said he only used his fingers and alcohol wipes.

My worry continued, I called him again, he swears he is HIV -ve despite having unsafe sex with +ive men and didnt use anything on me - called me a nutcase. About two weeks later I had bad abdominal pain for about an hour after eating, I recently had surgery so decided to take myself to the hospital for a check - had an u/sound showing slightly enlarged spleen and deranged LFT. I swore I could feel swollen glands behind my collarbone but doc checked me and said he couldn't feel anything.

I'm terrified this guy has passed HIV on to me and dont know what to do...I'm even more worried now due to the enlarged spleen and collarbone nodes (which despite the doc examining me I swear are swollen).

What are my chances of HIV, do you think I have HIV, are my symptoms worrisome - going off my head with worry again!!

[Dr Sean Cummings]

OK, so let me just get this straight.....you went along to a porn star for a "non sexual" massage and the were surprised to discover that he offers his services in other ways....uh huh.

Leaving that little oddity aside, why on earth would you imagine he is going to give you HIV? He squeezed a blackhead.

The poor man just thought he was doing you a favour. I wouldn't go along the "nut case" route but I can see his point of view.

The only way forward if you are seriously concerned is to have an HIV DUO test done. These are easy and straightforward and accurate.

Best wishes, Sean

[robrien]

I should add that my LFTs were only mildly deranged and began to improve and my spleen was 13.8cm - none of the doctors seemed top concerned about it at all and in fact nobody discussed it with me - it was only when leaving the hospital and reading my discharge letter that I discovered the spleen and LFT - they said it may be a post operative thing.

Secondly - I havent had any other risks since the incident that needed PEP and certainly noting since my 16 week negative.

I'm so worried and its all a bit backward here in Ireland - nobody seems to want to discuss my fears with me, please help with your advice or comments - you do great work!

[robrien]

I didn't know he was a pornstar when I booked the massage, it was through a massage website not an adult or escort website. Do my symptoms worry you in terms of HIV? Do you think a test is needed?

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello

"Do my symptoms worry you in terms of HIV?

NOT AT ALL


Do you think a test is needed?

I'VE ANSWERED THIS ALREADY - SAYING NO - IF YOU ARE WORRIED THEN TEST. IF NOT, DON'T

Best regards, Sean

I won't be returning to this.