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What Are The Chances Of STD Transmission Through Protected Sex?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Oct 2014
Question: I had protected sex with a girl from a bar and don't have any symptoms, but need to know if I'm std free, I had a g/c test two weeks after the encounter and a qualitative rna hiv test 30 days after a herpes antibody test 30 days after and now an hiv antibody test 8.5 weeks after am I all have came back negative for everything, I need some clear answers, cause its stressing me out pretty badly and can't find any good answers on the internet. thanks and please help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karen Steinberg (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is unlikely you have an STD

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic.

You did have protected sex (unless that was a typo and you meant Unprotected) which reduces the risk of transmission. You have had no symptoms and thus far all your tests have been negative. This indicates that infection with an STD is unlikely. HIV 2 is rare in the United States so testing for that is not generally done. The RNA test is done early after exposure and if negative, an antibody test is done 3 and/or 6 months later to confirm negativity.

If it was unprotected sex you had, you are at higher risk of acquiring an STD. In either case, I suggest you get another HIV antibody test at 6 months after exposure to confirm negativity. You should also get a test for syphilis if you haven't already. If you develop symptoms such as burning with urination or discharge from your penis, you should have another test for g/c. The tests are pretty accurate and if they all remain negative and you don't develop any symptoms, you are most likely STD-free. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee that 100% as a tiny possibility remains, particularly if it was unprotected sex that you had.

Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Karen Steinberg (1 hour later)
the early rna hiv test came back negative at 33 days and did a follow up at eight weeks so I guess I'm asking is that enough to rule out hiv 1 thus far? and it was protected sex, it was just out of my character to do something like this so I was worried thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karen Steinberg (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Recheck the HIV antibody at 6 months.

Detailed Answer:
I think you are at super low risk. The negative HIV RNA at 33 days and negative antibody at 8 weeks are reassuring. I would just recheck another antibody test at 6 months to be absolutely certain, but I think you can rest easily at this point. You may be letting guilt at doing something out of character create unnecessary worry.
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. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Karen Steinberg

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 824 Questions

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What Are The Chances Of STD Transmission Through Protected Sex?

Brief Answer: It is unlikely you have an STD Detailed Answer: Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. You did have protected sex (unless that was a typo and you meant Unprotected) which reduces the risk of transmission. You have had no symptoms and thus far all your tests have been negative. This indicates that infection with an STD is unlikely. HIV 2 is rare in the United States so testing for that is not generally done. The RNA test is done early after exposure and if negative, an antibody test is done 3 and/or 6 months later to confirm negativity. If it was unprotected sex you had, you are at higher risk of acquiring an STD. In either case, I suggest you get another HIV antibody test at 6 months after exposure to confirm negativity. You should also get a test for syphilis if you haven't already. If you develop symptoms such as burning with urination or discharge from your penis, you should have another test for g/c. The tests are pretty accurate and if they all remain negative and you don't develop any symptoms, you are most likely STD-free. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee that 100% as a tiny possibility remains, particularly if it was unprotected sex that you had. Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.