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Should The HIV Antibody Test Be Repeated After 6 Months Of Exposure?

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Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Question: I am a married male aged 32 yrs from XXXXXXX 3.5 months ago i had unsafe sex with a female sex worker - though it was not a complete intercourse. Inserted her for just 1 - 2 min and then pulled back with the fear of STD's. Afterwards lot of stress related to HIV surrounded me. I did not take any PEP or had no earlier medication. I got my P24 test done 72 hours after exposure - results were negative. I also got HIV antibody test of that female sex worker done 5 days after my exposure - she tested negative. I further repeated my P24 done 21 days after exposure - results were again negative. I got HIV antibody & VDRL test done after 102 days of exposure - results were negative. The problem is I developed Balanoposthitis (as diagnosed by 2 reputed local dermatologists)almost 2 days after intercourse with my wife and almost 75 days of my unsafe exposure with the female sex worker. Did I get Balanoposthitis from female sex worker? Is this Balanoposthitis a sign of HIV infection? Now that I am negative 3 months after exposure, can I be sure that I do not have HIV? Why this Balanoposthitis appear 7 years after my marraige? Barring this one incident of unsafe sex with female sex worker, I never had any physical relation with any body other than my wife. My wife was already tested for HIV at the time of her motherhood and she was negative. I not diabetic - got my blood sugar checked after balanoposthitis. Do I need to repeat HIV antibody test after 6 months of exposure? How long does it take for balanoposthitis to cure? Please help me out of this suicidal dilemma. I will be highly obliged!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
unlikely from the sex worker

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic .

I read your query and understand your concern .

Let me answer your questions one by one
1)your balanoposthitis is unlikely to be transmitted by sex worker because if it was so symptoms should appear within a week not after 75days.

2)This disease is usually not considered as sign of HIV. Recurrent attacks are signs of immune suppression. And yours first attack.

3)after 105 days your hiv antibody test is negative means you may be sure you are not having HIV. Also the sex worker is hiv negative. So don't worry.

4)this disease can occur anytime. Not related to marriage or start of sexual life. The cause is mainly poor hygiene which cause bacteria overgrowth or minor injury during intercourse or irritation to penis by using scented soaps or spray or not rinsing properly or using strong soap which dry the area. Even some laxatives, antibiotics and sleeping pills cause this.

5)as such there is no need for repeat HIV test because antibody test after 3 months of exposure is conclusive and its negative.

6)it may take total 2 to 3 weeks for complete healing depending upon your response to treatment. Maintain good hygiene.

Remove all doubts from your mind and be careful next time.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (20 hours later)
Many thanks Doctor!

For Balanoposthitis, I am under medication for almost a month now - Initially Nuforce tablet for 5 days and Seriva cream for initial 5 days. Than switched to Orflaz kit - taken 2 oral kits at gap of 15 days and applying Canfree ointment for almost 20 days now - twice a day. Though I feel almost 95% okay but still some spots appear. Could it be Herpes or any other STD? That is what is killing and eating me from within.

After the incident of unsafe sex, I aggressively used to wash my organ with regular bathing soaps twice a day and also used to flush it with highly concentrated Dettol - water solution to avoid any kind of infection. Can that be a reason of this Balanoposthitis?

Madam, I will never repeat such a stupid and immoral act in my life again - Only one incident has given me so much of stress and anxiety.

Kindly revert to this query and we will close this discussion.

Warm Regards.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it will subscide

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Since you feel 95%has reduced means you are responding to the treatment. It may take some more time . Don't worry. It will heal completely.

Herpes and other std's have typical appearance. So I don't think such typical features are missed by 2 doctors. And without examination I can't tell exact diagnosis.

Yes using strong dettol might have caused this because it is strong it is likely to dry the area and more excess rubbing might have caused minor trauma. Too many times washing may dry up the area. Be stressfree everything will become fine.

Just cleaning once a day will be sufficient.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help. If no further queries are there you may close the discussion and rate the response .

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (8 minutes later)
Many Thanks doctor! Actually I asked both the doctors specifically about Herpes and they said no its not Herpes... But still one feels insecure and hence I posted this question... Nonetheless, many thanks once again & Kind Regards!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,

I understand the concern , stress and anxiety you are suffering from . And it is always better to clarify your doubts as much as possible .

I am glad that I have been of some help to you . You may close the discussion and rate the response .

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Deepika Patil

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 745 Questions

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Should The HIV Antibody Test Be Repeated After 6 Months Of Exposure?

Brief Answer: unlikely from the sex worker Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HealthcareMagic . I read your query and understand your concern . Let me answer your questions one by one 1)your balanoposthitis is unlikely to be transmitted by sex worker because if it was so symptoms should appear within a week not after 75days. 2)This disease is usually not considered as sign of HIV. Recurrent attacks are signs of immune suppression. And yours first attack. 3)after 105 days your hiv antibody test is negative means you may be sure you are not having HIV. Also the sex worker is hiv negative. So don't worry. 4)this disease can occur anytime. Not related to marriage or start of sexual life. The cause is mainly poor hygiene which cause bacteria overgrowth or minor injury during intercourse or irritation to penis by using scented soaps or spray or not rinsing properly or using strong soap which dry the area. Even some laxatives, antibiotics and sleeping pills cause this. 5)as such there is no need for repeat HIV test because antibody test after 3 months of exposure is conclusive and its negative. 6)it may take total 2 to 3 weeks for complete healing depending upon your response to treatment. Maintain good hygiene. Remove all doubts from your mind and be careful next time. Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help. Regards Dr.Deepika Patil