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HIV and herpes

Please bear with me as I ask this question, as I am somewhat freaked out. I had already posted about this before, but things have happened to get me anxious again. Basic story: I had protected (with a condom) oral and vaginal intercourse with a sex worker a little over three weeks ago. As far as I know, the condom did not break. I know that your standard answer is that there is no need for testing since it was protected. A few days after the sex I noticed a reddish area on my penis near the head. I didn't think much of it at first, and figured I would just disinfect it and show it to a doctor if it didn't go away. Two weeks after the sex, I was suddenly hit with what they think was viral meningitis. It took me out for a week, and I am still just recovering. The redness on my penis wasn't totally gone, so I finally showed it to my doctor, who said it could be herpes. I was told that the swab they took would be inconclusive if negative, since the red area was no longer an open sore. I have never had herpes in my life before. I always thought I was herpes free. Don't condoms protect against that as well? If I suddenly have herpes, and dealt with what was believed to be viral meningitis two weeks after sex, what are the risks of HIV?
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Avatar universal
Can any of the expert posters offer their opinion on the specifics I mentioned?
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I understand that this is your standard response when it comes to condom protected sex. My worry comes from the possibility of herpes. I did not have it before this encounter. Suddenly having it makes me worry that the condom was not necessarily effective (unless herpes is more easily transmittable than HIV). Having all these other symptoms hit at the two week mark makes it more scary. Are you saying that the symptoms of labyrinthitis and viral meningitis are not consistent with ARS? I am freaking out about this. I am just looking for information.
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Avatar universal
Now I am really freaked out. I read that viral meningitis can be caused by herpes and HIV. I didn't have herpes before this encounter. What does this mean?
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Not an HIV concern. You had protected sex. Try posting in another forum.
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I'd like to get a response from one of the more prominent posters if possible.
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Avatar universal
As I am not a doctor, I can't tell you. The viral meningitis is not related to HIV and is coincidental. It's "potential" herpes, you don't even know if you have it! I can't comment about herpes, I don't know much about it. Sorry :(

When a condom fails, it fails catastrophically! (Just check posts by Lizzie Lou and Joggen, they know their stuff!) You would have known if it failed. You are not at risk for HIV.
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Avatar universal
What's the deal with the sudden viral meningitis and potential herpes?
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Avatar universal
If there was no condom failure, these was no risk. Period. Protected sex = no risk. You are jumping to conclusions.
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