Queries
Hi
On 1st July I visited a CSW from Bangkok, Thailand. The usual procedure followed: we had a shower together, followed by a handjob and then a blowjob. I was wearing my condom for the duration of the handjob and blowjob. However, the condom could have torn as I sensed that her teeth was brushing against the latex (I did not check afterwards). In between the two sexual acts, I took off my condom. There was no penetration act but my penis could have brushed against her vagina briefly. We also had some kissing.
When I returned to my country, I noticed the following symptoms:
1) On 11th July, there was a single ulceration in the mouth. It recovered on the 18th July.
2) From the onset of the ulcer, I started feeling heaty, which prompted me to drink lots of water to prevent any fever from developing. On 15th July night, I felt so heaty and anxious that I could have contracted HIV that I couldn’t sleep. I took my temperature and it reads 36.8 Celsius, surprisingly. I convinced myself that there was no fever and tried to sleep. The next day I woke up I felt much better.
3) On 30th July, I felt an uncomfortable, dry feeling at my throat area. I am not sure if it classified as a sore throat, since I didn’t felt any major pain when swallowing. However, there is this feeling of a phlegm stuck there which made it very uncomfortable for me. Nothing I did can help to do away with this feeling.
I have been feeling guilty and anxious about my HIV status ever since this incidence. Hence, I would like to have an honest assessment regarding:
1) My risk of HIV?
2) Are those symptoms I described indicative of fever and sore throat?
3) Do you recommend that I go for a HIV test?
Hello there and thank-you for your question.
1) Getting a hand-job and kissing present absolutely no risk. Receiving oral sex with a condom is a 'negligible' risk, which means that although, in theory, there is a potential for HIV transmission, there has never been confirmed report. Using a condom is a great preventative of HIV transmission.
2) In regards to symptoms, I would recommend not dwelling over them and reading too much into them. It is in no way a definitive indicator of HIV infection. Because HIV symptoms mirror other viral infections (such as the flu) or can be explained by other things, testing is really the only way to know.
3) ..Which leads to your last question about testing. The practices you have described to me (handjob, blowjob with condom, kissing) do not present a significant risk of HIV transmission. However, for peace of mind and to curb your anxiety about your HIV status, you can always get tested. Then you will know for sure and won't have to worry.
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any others,
Stephanie
Monica
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
604.696.4666, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
helpline@aidsvancouver.org
Disclaimer
The AIDS Vancouver Helpline is a volunteer-driven information, referral and support service related to HIV and sexual health. Volunteers are trained in active listening, HIV and sexual health information, and local resources and services. Volunteers are not doctors, nurses, or other licensed professionals. Volunteers do not give advice, and strive to provide service-users with adequate information and appropriate referrals.
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