high anxiety

[aaa868]

Hi there,

The last month turn me into to a total wreck.
It all started after I got an erotic massage in Frankfurt. I expected just a body to body massage, but at one point when I was laying on my back, the masseuse get on top of me and start rubbing her vagina against my penis for about a minute – for 1, 2 seconds my penis head was against her vagina opening – but no penetration. I push her away, but basically my penis head was exposed to her vaginal fluids.

Week 1 – no symptoms
Week 2 – slight genital discomfort and sore throat. I start to be worry about STDs.
Week 3
- Consult at dermato venereology cabinet (no visual STD signs) and gave me to run STD blood tests
- At 17 days blood test, including  HIV 1/2/Ab + Ag p24 – all came back negative
- I start to do some serious search on HIV tests and realized that 17 days is useless, despite the fact that p24 peaks at 16 days, there is no real reassurance.
- End of the week: 1-2 days of neck glands pain (the ones behind the ears), a bit tender, not very swollen. I freaked out. While some are rating my exposure low or no risk, I was keep reading about symptoms. So, exposure to vaginal fluids and swollen glands (I don’t remember to had them before)…. it might be something.
- No fever, no diarrhea (actually got constipated)
- got pain in the groin area (mainly on one side), with spikes in the testicle and leg

Week 4
- Increased skin sensitivity (I have a sort of dermatitis – I usual get red spots on stress) which by the end of the week turned into permanent high skin sensitivity (red spots on hands (not raised)
- at this point I was convinced that I’m positive. I actually move from “I’m infected?” type of reading to “Living with HIV” sections. Total panic at this point.
- At 28 days took again a blood test for HIV Ab +Ag. Came back negative.

Week 5
- Get back on searching on the accuracy of DUO test at 28 days. Still very confusing debate. Looks 3 months is still the conclusive mark.
- few red dots on the penis foreskin (disappeared in 3 days)
- Skin sensitivity increased with burning feeling from time to time on arms, hands, back. This is now permanent through week 6.

Week 6
- went to an ID doctor. Checked my glands - no swollen, checked my skin and dismissed a rash
- what still worry me is I still have burning skin on back, arms and legs and reddish hands. I go through the days trying to convince myself is just from high stress and anxiety, but it is not working very well. I just need to feel my back or see my hands red and panic.
- No fever

I will take another test at the end of 6th week. And if still negative l'll try to cope with the 3 months mark.

So, the question to you:
1. What is my risk from this exposure?
2. Why some consider that rubbing (frottage) is not a real risk when actually urethra and foreskin get in contact with vaginal fluids (indeed outside of vagina), but still is vaginal fluid contact that is indicated as risk
3. Are my symptoms consistent with HIV acute symptoms? It still hard to believe this is that just anxiety.

[Vance2335]

Why would someone test if there was no risk?

[aaa868]

Thank you for the clear and concise answer.

In this perspective would you recommend "no more testing", as this was not a transmission risk situation (plus there is a 28 days DUO test negative)?

Thanks again

[Teak]

1. You didn't have one.
2. HIV is not transmitted outside its host
3. No, you never had an exposure so you are not having ARS.