Three weeks to go

[UKJon62]

Hello Doctors.

I live in the UK and on 1st of July was in Krakow in Poland visiting a nightclub (brothel). I spent some time with two girls there but had sex with only one. One girl massaged me to get me hard but didn't even take here underwear off. She left after a while. The other asked me if I wanted to pay a little more and not use a condom. I said no. So, the condom went on and I received oral from her followed by brief penetrative (still protected) vaginal sex because I wanted to finish that way. There was no oral sex given by me and no anal sex whatsoever.

A day later, I had dysuria. This lasted only 2/3 days but when I came home to England I went straight to my local GUM clinic. My urine tested negative for gonnorhoea and chlamydia. There were no other symptoms. I did not even need medication. However, being a person with an extremely nervous disposition and being faced with the conclusive blood test (23rd Sept), I am now off work, eating less, losing weight AND taking pills for my acute anxiety. This is the price I pay for being sensible and not reckless. I have NEVER had unprotected penetrative sex.

The Dysuria I had was the trigger. How could I get this if I was protected? I am hoping that it was merely a non specific urethral irritation of some kind caused by the girl's masturbation or an allergy perhaps. Anyway, it's never happened before. NOW I'm concerned as to whether my urethra was irritated by the masturbation or the condom AND whether my urethra was exposed during the penetrative sex. This would mean of course a damaged condom and the risk of HIV getting through and THAT is the main worry. I did not inspect the condom.

My mind has been running riot even though 7 different people have told me I am in the low risk/no risk zone. Why am I assuming that the CSW was infected with anything?  I have three more weeks of this to get through. Can you please add your professional opinions to those who already have.

Many thanks in advance.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear of yoru negative test and thank you.  EWH

[UKJon62]

Dear Dr Hook

I've just tested negative at 12 weeks so I now have closure for this particular episode in my life. I have learnt alot about myself, my strengths and weaknesses and I need to re-evaluate my future. Thanks for your help and congratulations on receiving the 2008 Thomas Parran Award. Sorry, but I couldn't help looking you up on the net.

Keep up the good work and thanks again.

Jon.

[UKJon62]

I have just returned from Nottingham after testing NEGATIVE for HIV, Hep B, syphillis etc. It has been an extremely tiring day for me both mentally and physically as I had hours to kill before getting my results and could only walk around for miles on an empty stomach trying to get my head straight. At least it was a same day result.
I only wish that it was 12 weeks and not 10 but my 87 year old Mother who lives with me couldn't wait two more weeks. I have arranged to go back to repeat the process in two weeks which will be the end of the three months window period just so that I can (hopefully) draw a line under all this.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for the follow-up.  Counselors working for large, often governemnt funded agencies must, be conservative with their answers.  No one would argue with ehr that a 12 week result if definitive, the question is, can results be obtained sooner.  In many instances, such as yours, the answer is yes.  We look forward to hearing of your negative test result.  EWH

[UKJon62]

Hello again Dr Hook

I am having my test on Wednesday, following your advice. It will then be 10 weeks since the (safe) sexual encounter that I had. However, the adviser that I spoke to on the phone was reluctant at first to let me have a test at this time because she said that it only furthers anxiety. She also said that looking at the internet was not good as there was a lot of "rubbish" on it concerning HIV. I told her (without mentioning any names or websites) that I had been informed of the 98%-99% likelyhood of the test result at this time being conclusive. She was not very supportive or sensitive. I will let you know the outcome.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are correct.  When condoms fail they break wide open.  Small tears/leaks just don't occur.  

I think a test at this time would resolve your worries. EWH

[UKJon62]

Thanks Doctor for answering me promptly.

I feel greatly reassured by your comments. My paranoia has been such that I was even thinking that I might have been deliberately infected with something because I did not offer these women more money.

Lastly, Is it true that if a condom fails, it is not something that usually goes unnoticed in that it would tend to split right apart like a banana skin rather than leave a smaller tear?

Following your advice, I may decide to get tested sooner as it is nearly nine weeks now from the event.

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I will now become the eighth person to tell you that you have nothing to worry about from the exposure you describe.  You had a condom on and were unexposed.  Your dysuria might have been some sort of chemical reaction to condom lubricant, irritation, or a manifestation of your increased attention to whether or not all was OK.  You are not at risk.  As for your HIV status, if you get tested now (i.e. without waiting till 12 weeks) you will have a result at a time when 98-99% of HIV tests that are going to become positive will be positive.  Given the no risk nature of your experience, if you were to get tested now, the negative result your fully and completely reassure you that you did not get HIV from the exposure you describe.  EWH