I am so worry

[down742]

Hi Dr
First of all, I feel this website really helps a lot of people at least I am one of them, I would like to say thank you to you because you keep replying even people always ask for similar questions.
My english is not so good, I hope you can understand my questions.

I am 28 years old male from Hong Kong, I have sex with couple sex worker in the pass few months in China, all sex were with condom. The last time was on 9 Sep.( the one before this is Aug 15) After two weeks I started to have some symptoms just like flu for four days ( I never get sick that long and they are just like HIV's symptoms). I started to worry will I get infected by HIV so I went to doctor and do a HIV test on Oct 17 ( I am not sure what method they use) on Oct 18 I got my result which is negative.(I guess they used Elisa) Am I ok?
Do I need further test?

Also I want to ask one thing, if I have HIV and when the symptoms appears, is that means I already have the antibodies or soon will have the antibodies? If not how long does it take?
Last question, If I always use condom, is that mean I will not have HIV inflected with normal sex even my partner has HIV?

Thank You
Down 742

[longone]

Doc. can you clarify your statement below.  Are you talking about improper condom use or simply condom's in general. Many on the other forum would be very interested in this for it is a statement we don't read very offten.

"Finally, condoms reduce but do not perfectly protect from HIV.  They do dramatically reduce the risk however.'

I hope this is helpful.  EWH

[down742]

Thanks for your reply, I have another flu again after I recovered 10 days ago this make me worry again.

So Dr. Hook, is that you mean even symptoms appears, antibodies may appears three months later?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Both are very low risk exposures.  Unprotected oral sex is probably a little lower in terms of HIV risk however.  EWH

[bigdummy1]

In your opinion, what is of greater risk-condom protected vaginal sex or unprotected oral sex.  Or are they both so low that neither are of any consequence.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The symptoms you describe are similar to those which occur with the acute retroviral syndrome but they are also caused by MANY, MANY other self-limited infections (that is you get over them without any other problems).  Most peole who have the sorts of symptoms you describe do not have HIV.  I would be very suprised if you have HIV.  You had only one exposure and you used a condom.

In general it is more reliable to have the blood test for HIV at least 6-8 weeks following exposure so your test is a bit early.  Even so, mosat people with HIV would have had a positive test a 5 weeks as you did.  The fact that the first test was negative makes it even less likely that you have HIV but it sounds as though it would make you feel better to wait another two or three weeks and get another test.

The symptoms of the acute retroviral syndrome usually precede formation of antibiodies.  

Finally, condoms reduce but do not perfectly protect from HIV.  They do dramatically reduce the risk however.

I hope this is helpful.  EWH