Female - HIV Risk Assessment

[nervousgirl84]

I am looking for a realistic risk assessment of my recent exposure:

Dec 19 - had unprotected vaginal intercourse 4 or 5 times with an acquaintance of mine (I don't know his HIV status). I assume he is not an IV drug user (but how do I really know that?) and I assume he's not having unprotected sex with men (again, how do I really know that?). Of the 4 or 5 episodes of unprotected intercourse he ejaculated inside me at least once and the other times he pulled out but ejaculated within close proximity to my vagina.

What is my risk for having acquired HIV from these exposures? I am really paranoid about this and feel awful about the entire situation that I'm having difficulty sleeping. Also, when is the best time for me to test? Any other information you can provide about my risk here is appreciated - as I said, it's really causing me a great deal of stress and worry and I'm so mad at myself for putting myself in this situation to begin with.

Thanks for your time!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear it.  No need for further testing.  Take care.  EWH

[nervousgirl84]

I just wanted to update you that I got my test this morning and it was negative.

Thanks again for your help and reassurance!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you are tested with a standard HIV antibody test, the optimal time for testing is 8 weeks following exposure.  At that time test results will be definitive.  If you can arrange testing with one of the newer, combined HIV p24 antigen/HIV antibody tests, definitive test results will be available at 4 weeks following your last exposure.   These tests are not yet widely available and tend to cost more than the standard tests which can probably be gotten for free at your local health department.

I am confident that when you are tested you will find that you did nto get HIV from these exposures.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Overall this risk of the sort of encounter you mention is low.  As you point out, some people have hidden lives that lead us to be unaware of their drug use or same sex activities but to be honest that is rather rare and presumably you have some sense of this person and I suspect that that sense is on target.  Assuming that your partner does not use drugs or have sex with other men, the probability that he does not have HIV is about 1 in 1000 or lower.  Then, the risk of HIV transmission, if he was infected is, on average, about 1 infection per thousand episodes of intercourse or, after five exposures, about 1 in 200.  thus mathematically, your sik is about 1 in 200,000, at most- very, very low.  These figures however do little to alleviate your concerns.

To most directly address these concerns, I suggest that you both go on and get screened for STDs, including HIV.  You each deserve to know that your partner does not have infection out of respect for each other.  Most people are appreciative of a direct conversation of this sort- it is a sign of respect.

I hope this comment provides some direction and is helpful. your risk is low, very low.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I remain confident.  Colds and sore throat do not raise concerns about HIV.  Please let us know when you get your test result.  EWH

[nervousgirl84]

Sorry for one more follow-up question.

It's now been almost 7 weeks since the encounter. I have had a couple colds (including sore throat, fatigue and swollen glands) since then.

Should I be worried about this? Does this make the odd higher that I might have got HIV?

I only have about 1 more week to go now until I can get the test at 8 weeks. I'm trying to remember that you said you're confident it will be negative.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Gladto help.  EWH

[nervousgirl84]

I will get a test at 8 weeks.

Thanks for your confidence and reassurance. I'm sure you're right and I should just stop worrying.

[nervousgirl84]

Thanks very much for your quick reply. I know it is a low risk but since I am so nervous about it it  helps to hear that from someone with expertise in this area.

I am going to get tested for HIV (I went for my physical a few days ago and was tested for other STDs). Since the exposure was almost 3 weeks ago, when should I get tested? Should I wait until 8 weeks?

I really hope that I come out of this negative...thanks again.