Expert: John Thai, M.D. - 9/7/2007

Question
I had unprotected sex 6 times with someone who later I found out he was sleeping with other women..
It was vaginal sex and he never came inside me, but in my mouth all 6 times.. I went to get tested for STDs and was told I have some irregular cells in my womb, I haven't been diagnosed with HPV yet.. I have to wait for another pap test in January 2008. I am concern about HIV now!!! He says he was tested in 2001 and had been in a monogamous relationship for 7 yrs, then slept with 1 women( I really don't believe that) & me.. I know that I am @ risk. In 2005 I was tested & tested negative for everything including HIV, since then he was the only other person I was with.. I just need some peace of mind I am to be tested in September 23 2007, but the last time we had sex was June 10th 2007.. Do you think I can do the test after September 10th or should I wait a couple of days more? Thanks for your time..

Answer
Hi Virginia,

HIV takes approximately 3 months from the date of infection to appear in any HIV tests today. Thus, a test in June will only tell you if you were infected prior to March. A test this September will only tell you if you were infected prior to June.

You can most certainly test a week before or after the 3 months period... it won't make much of a difference. You can certainly obtain a "free" confidential or anonymous HIV testing at any public health STD clinic. The quickest method is to get the Orasure Advance HIV testing which takes about 20-30 minutes for the result. They swab the interior of your mouth and test the cells for HIV.

If you are very worried, there are home test kits who can buy at any pharmacies. They include an overnight shipping envelope. You follow their instructions and send it to them. You wait 24 hours from the time they received it to obtain the result. The result is given over the phone via an automated system.

As far as irregular cells in your vagina, it depends on the interpretation given by the pathologist who saw the sample taken during the pap smear. It could may well be nothing or could just be something that could easily be addressed. Not all irregular cells are due to HPV or a sexually transmitted infection.

I do recommend that you get tested for all STI (sexually transmitted infections). It is offered free and performed by a physician at the STD clinic.

Regards,

John T, MD