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Acquired HIV While On PrEP
Hi,
The past few months I've made some bad decisions. I wanted to post here to see if I could any insight. Thank you in advance for your time and response.
My story starts a little more than two months ago when I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with an escort two times in one night. After I made that mistake, I went to the ER within 72 hours. I was put on PeP (Truvada/Isentress) for 28 days, which I finished. During the PeP period, I took an HIV RNA test, as did the escort. I took my test 14 days after exposure, while she took hers within 4 days of the incident. Both our tests came out to be negative. Relived, my doctor asked me if I was going to change my behavior patterns because I have a history of seeing escorts. I answered that I do no think I will be able to stop seeing escorts as I enjoy the hobby too much. The doctor recommended I move onto to PrEP after finishing PeP. She of course mentioned to still use condoms which I planned to. With the exception of oral sex,I have always used condoms whether she's and escort or not, and plan to do so but with this one particular girl I had a weakness.
Roughly 40 days after the initial incident (about three weeks prior to today), I met the same escort 3 times over 6 days and ended up having unprotected vaginal intercourse with her 2 times per meeting (6 times total). The day after our last meeting, she let me know that her test results came in (I had asked her to get tested the week before). She was positive for chlamydia and HSV-1. I immediately went, got tested and was given a dose of Azithromycin. My results came back a few days later. Chlamydia was negative, but HSV-1 was positive (which is new for me because I get tested regularly and I have never been HSV-1 positive before). I was clearly upset that I acquired HSV-1, but I also understand how common it is (all my immediate family members have it so it is quite amazing that I did not have it before). I am aware I could have acquired HSV-1 genitally as well since the I had unprotected oral sex with the escort. Nonetheless, I am aware of the risks of my general behavior, and so far I have had no outbreaks.
However, my concern of HIV has increased quite a bit. It's now been three weeks since I saw the escort and I have no plans to see her again - we had a falling out since she blamed me for her acquiring chlamydia. Though I find her accusation baseless (since I had not seen any other ladies during the time I was seeing her and because my STD tests have been negative till this HSV-1 diagnosis), it gave me some confidence that she was only seeing me without a condom, otherwise why blame just me. Also, she told me I was the only one and did not charge me extra for any of the sessions - we discussed this topic many times with her before we had unprotected sex during our second, third and fourth meetings.
But a few days ago, I saw another woman that works with her and this new woman mentioned to me that the previous escort had unprotected sex with a few other men. In fact, some of the other clients have confirmed acquiring chlamydia. This information completely freaked me out
Before I was under the impression that I am the only client she has had unprotected sex with (especially since she did not charge me extra for unprotected sex during any of our meetings and it took a while for her to come around to doing it). Also, given that I had her take a HIV RNA test after our first incident two months ago and it came out negative (I saw the results with my own eyes), I felt she generally must practice safe behavior.
But given this new information from this other escort, I am highly concerned because she (the escort I had unprotected sex with) is clearly not exclusive with unprotected vaginal sex, and she has successfully passed on chlamydia to others (and HSV-1 to me). Given she was clear of HIV before these two months, if she acquired HIV she would likely be in the acute infection phase and be highly infectious (though she was asymptomatic of any typical ARS symptoms at least during the times I saw her). Her viral load could be high, and on top of that she has chlamydia which increases transmission rates further.
All these facts have freaked me out. She charges close to $400/hr, so I know her clients are unlikely to be spreading around HIV, but the risk clearly exists. I have been mostly asymptomatic these three weeks since my last encounter with her. However, the past two days I noticed a change in my bowel patterns (slight diarrhea, fowl smelling stools and gas) and also my body temperature has generally gone up. My peak body temperature is 99.7 degrees fahrenheit (hovering around 99.3 most of the time). I normally I hover between 98.6 and 99.0. Also, I feel some scratchiness in my throat (pharyngitis).
Separately, since the first incident two months ago when I originally had unprotected sex with this woman, I have continued taking PeP/PrEP (I started PrEP the day after my 28-day PeP regiment ended). I'm currently on my second month of PrEP. I always take my pills and have never missed a dose (though one day I took a dose 14 hours after my usual time). I normally take the pill within the same 5 to 6 hour window everyday. Also, I am circumcised.
Given I'm currently on PrEP, assuming this escort is HIV+ and highly infectious (and I had vaginal sex with her 6 times within 6 days without any protection), then should I mentally prepare myself for either outcome to be feasible (HIV+ or HIV-). I know I need to get tested, but probabilities being against me while I am on PrEP are creating a mental block to go take the test. I would appreciate any feedback on this regard. Any insight, whether its good news or bad news would help me prepare for this - it's the uncertainty that's crippling. Thanks.
The past few months I've made some bad decisions. I wanted to post here to see if I could any insight. Thank you in advance for your time and response.
My story starts a little more than two months ago when I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with an escort two times in one night. After I made that mistake, I went to the ER within 72 hours. I was put on PeP (Truvada/Isentress) for 28 days, which I finished. During the PeP period, I took an HIV RNA test, as did the escort. I took my test 14 days after exposure, while she took hers within 4 days of the incident. Both our tests came out to be negative. Relived, my doctor asked me if I was going to change my behavior patterns because I have a history of seeing escorts. I answered that I do no think I will be able to stop seeing escorts as I enjoy the hobby too much. The doctor recommended I move onto to PrEP after finishing PeP. She of course mentioned to still use condoms which I planned to. With the exception of oral sex,I have always used condoms whether she's and escort or not, and plan to do so but with this one particular girl I had a weakness.
Roughly 40 days after the initial incident (about three weeks prior to today), I met the same escort 3 times over 6 days and ended up having unprotected vaginal intercourse with her 2 times per meeting (6 times total). The day after our last meeting, she let me know that her test results came in (I had asked her to get tested the week before). She was positive for chlamydia and HSV-1. I immediately went, got tested and was given a dose of Azithromycin. My results came back a few days later. Chlamydia was negative, but HSV-1 was positive (which is new for me because I get tested regularly and I have never been HSV-1 positive before). I was clearly upset that I acquired HSV-1, but I also understand how common it is (all my immediate family members have it so it is quite amazing that I did not have it before). I am aware I could have acquired HSV-1 genitally as well since the I had unprotected oral sex with the escort. Nonetheless, I am aware of the risks of my general behavior, and so far I have had no outbreaks.
However, my concern of HIV has increased quite a bit. It's now been three weeks since I saw the escort and I have no plans to see her again - we had a falling out since she blamed me for her acquiring chlamydia. Though I find her accusation baseless (since I had not seen any other ladies during the time I was seeing her and because my STD tests have been negative till this HSV-1 diagnosis), it gave me some confidence that she was only seeing me without a condom, otherwise why blame just me. Also, she told me I was the only one and did not charge me extra for any of the sessions - we discussed this topic many times with her before we had unprotected sex during our second, third and fourth meetings.
But a few days ago, I saw another woman that works with her and this new woman mentioned to me that the previous escort had unprotected sex with a few other men. In fact, some of the other clients have confirmed acquiring chlamydia. This information completely freaked me out
Before I was under the impression that I am the only client she has had unprotected sex with (especially since she did not charge me extra for unprotected sex during any of our meetings and it took a while for her to come around to doing it). Also, given that I had her take a HIV RNA test after our first incident two months ago and it came out negative (I saw the results with my own eyes), I felt she generally must practice safe behavior.
But given this new information from this other escort, I am highly concerned because she (the escort I had unprotected sex with) is clearly not exclusive with unprotected vaginal sex, and she has successfully passed on chlamydia to others (and HSV-1 to me). Given she was clear of HIV before these two months, if she acquired HIV she would likely be in the acute infection phase and be highly infectious (though she was asymptomatic of any typical ARS symptoms at least during the times I saw her). Her viral load could be high, and on top of that she has chlamydia which increases transmission rates further.
All these facts have freaked me out. She charges close to $400/hr, so I know her clients are unlikely to be spreading around HIV, but the risk clearly exists. I have been mostly asymptomatic these three weeks since my last encounter with her. However, the past two days I noticed a change in my bowel patterns (slight diarrhea, fowl smelling stools and gas) and also my body temperature has generally gone up. My peak body temperature is 99.7 degrees fahrenheit (hovering around 99.3 most of the time). I normally I hover between 98.6 and 99.0. Also, I feel some scratchiness in my throat (pharyngitis).
Separately, since the first incident two months ago when I originally had unprotected sex with this woman, I have continued taking PeP/PrEP (I started PrEP the day after my 28-day PeP regiment ended). I'm currently on my second month of PrEP. I always take my pills and have never missed a dose (though one day I took a dose 14 hours after my usual time). I normally take the pill within the same 5 to 6 hour window everyday. Also, I am circumcised.
Given I'm currently on PrEP, assuming this escort is HIV+ and highly infectious (and I had vaginal sex with her 6 times within 6 days without any protection), then should I mentally prepare myself for either outcome to be feasible (HIV+ or HIV-). I know I need to get tested, but probabilities being against me while I am on PrEP are creating a mental block to go take the test. I would appreciate any feedback on this regard. Any insight, whether its good news or bad news would help me prepare for this - it's the uncertainty that's crippling. Thanks.
As a recovering sexual addict to another get help man! Ive avoided having any form of penetrative sex. With or without a condom for a while now. But Im telling you get help.
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