Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 1/9/2008

Question
Hi Kristen, I wonder if you could help, I really liked your past responses to other questions and appreciate any help.
I had sex with a prostitute about eleven years ago and although the condom broke really thought nothing too much of it, I realised pretty quickly and obviously withdrew and stopped. Since that time I have been married and also had three lovely children. I always thought I would be fine as my wife has had numerous blood tests before all her pregnancies. Although I have no symptoms I have recently read a few reports in the journals and panicked a little and wondered if I would have realised by now or if there is a possibility of symptoms materialising in the future.
Any help is much appreciated.
Louis

Answer
Well, you cannot base your possible status on whether or not your wife has received an HIV test in the past. It is not a definite that people pass HIV onto their partners. It usually takes many years for symptoms to develop. The easiest thing would be for you to go to your local health department and get tested. It's free and anonymous and then you will know for sure. All I can do here is speculate which won't give you an answer either way. The only way to know is to get tested.