Hello and thank you for using the AIDS Vancouver Helpline as your source of HIV/AIDS related information.
Having sex with a condom, even if your partner is HIV+ is considered a low risk activity for HIV transmission. It is very unlikely that you became infected while taking off the condom, even if your penis contacted vaginal fluid. This is because the HIV virus dies very quickly when exposed to air. In addition, for HIV to enter your blood stream, it needs to come into contact with the urethra of your penis (not the shaft or ball sack). HIV+ fluid on the surface of your skin is no risk for transmission (although other STI's are).
Also, being a sex worker does necessarily make them more likely to be HIV+. The virus does not discriminate, and sex workers are often more likely to use condoms consistently and correctly as well as get tested- they want to protect themselves from whatever you may have!
The negative ELISA tests you received at 10.5, 11.5, and 14 weeks can be considered conclusive and definitive. If you have not had unprotected sex or shared needles in the last 4-12 weeks, then there is no need to re-test- you are not HIV+. Regardless of how much initial virus you were exposed to, you would not have delayed seroconversion.
The symptoms you described could be attributed to a number of different illnesses, but if they continue, I suggest you work with a medical professional so that they can be addressed.
Please let us know if we can provide you with any additional information. If you have any other questions or would like to speak to someone at the Helpline, you can do so anonymously and confidentially by calling 604 696 4666, Monday-Friday between 9am-4pm.
Wishing you all the best,
Elyse
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
helpline@aidsvancouver.org
hopeless, please help
Original Post Date:
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Question:
hi, there. First of all thank you for your great work in this forum. I am a 45 year old german guy, so i am sorry for my bad language skills. End of june this year i had protected sexual intercourse with a sex worker who is likely HIV+ (i read in a forum afterwards). After removing the condom, it was apparently intact (unfortunately i could not see any sperm in the reservoir), i realized lots of vaginal fluid at my ballbag. I have fear of being infected while removing the condom or later when my penis got in contact with the vaginal fluid on my ballbag. 3 weeks later i had nightsweat which is lasting untill now. 8,5 weeks after the exposure the lymph nodes at my throat and my band got swollen for 1 week. Then i discovered a rash at my band which disappeared after 2 days. I made a Elisa test at 10,5 weeks which came back negative. I also was checked negative for every STD. Just one day after the test my lymph nodes under my arms got swollen and they are still today. I became mentally ill and went in therapy. At 11,5 and 14 weeks after the exposure i made two further Elisa antibody tests. Both came back negative. The problem is that no doctor can tell me why my lymph nodes are still swollen. I also have dizziness every day now, which makes it difficult for me to do my work. I am really desperate and have fear that this is HIV. Here are my questions: is my elisa test at 14 weeks conclusive or do i have a delayed seroconversion because of a very low initial virus amount at the beginning? Do i have to make a further test? I am very thankful for an answer.
Answer:
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