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Expert: Terry B - 9/20/2009


Question
I was in Thailand and had a condom break, 5 days later I had chills and shakes for 1 night followed by diarreah for about 7 days.. temp was around 99.4 for about 3 days, never had fever or swollen glands.. went to doctor there and he said it was probably Salmanella but did no test, the initial incident happened 3 weeks ago and i am pretty concerned about it being HIV

Answer
Dear Trey:

Peace.  The factors in your possible exposure to HIV include the duration of your exposure after the condom broke and whether you were exposed to the blood, semen, or vaginal secretions of your partner. None of this is clear from your question - and symptoms could have been a number of things.  At this point, waiting another three weeks and getting a presumptive HIV test would be helpful - it's not conclusive but if you are HIV positive chances are at six weeks it will tell you.

That's about all I can offer at the moment - in the meantime, protect yourself from the fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) and others from yours.

Best to you and yours,

Terry

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Terry B

Expertise

Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice

Experience

Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.

Organizations
Disabled American Veterans American Public Health Association MENSA AA

Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa "HIV and Primary Care"

Education/Credentials
BS Psychology MPH Master of Public Health PhD studies underway

Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction

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