HIV risk from damaged/scratched skin on testicles...

[skyflyer80]

I had protected sex with a working girl from Russia in Hong Kong (unfortunately I just learned russia has a big problem with HIV)... and I proceeded to get a relatively slight amount of vaginal fluid on my testicles... which I washed off within a few minutes of encountering.  I probably wouldn't worry too much, but unfortunately, the skin on my testicles are a little compromised from scratching via many years of psoriasis.  There are no open blood wounds or visible cuts that would bleed on my scrotum, thank goodness, but the skin is visibly more wrinkled/pinkish/grooved/damaged... kind of like wet mud that is dried and cracked (although my scrotum is reasonably moist).  I'm probably missing a healthy external layer to my skin in a few spots from the damage.  Obviously, I will get tested... but the encounter just happened 2 days ago.  How worried should I be?  

[skyflyer80]

Just wanted to follow up and share my experience that I believe it's very possible that HIV-like symptoms can appear as a result of stressing about having HIV.

Today, I got the antibody test since it's been 31 days since my exposure and the results were negative.  I'm still suffering from many of the same symptoms (extreme fatigue, inability to concentrate, bit of a soar throat, cough, pain behind eyes, mouth sores).  It feels exactly like when I had mono in college and it has been completely debilitating.   The only major HIV ACT symptoms I didn't experience were headaches or significant rash.   I realize I am still in the window period, but now that I have had time to reflect,  get some counsel, and relax from these recent results... I'm almost sure I was my own worst enemy and my symptoms were self induced from stress.  Like many people on here, I tried to diagnose stuff on the internet and started to drive myself absolutely crazy thinking about it.   It totally wore my system down, didn't sleep well, and even when I wasn't thinking about HIV I probably was subconsciously.  The end result was a pretty terrible month that probably could have been avoided.  I'll retest in a few months but I'm actually thinking I'll start feeling less sick tomorrow just knowing that I'm negative.

Thanks.  

[skyflyer80]

Thanks Teak.  I hope you are right.  I'm just concerned since i've read that hiv can penetrate damaged/unhealthy/lesioned skin... even though it wasn't an open bleeding sore at the time of contact.    

On behalf of everyone that takes the time to respond to our questions... THANK YOU.

[Teak]

You shouldn't be worried at all because you were never at risk.