Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 9/9/2007

Question
I had recently been to an asian (from erotic services on craigslist)  massage clinic and got entangled in all tis trouble. I think she was not just a masseur but a sex worker. What happened was:
We kissed very lightly on the lips (no fluids). I also rubbed myself against her from behind. Then my penis was rubbing on her vagina while she had her thong on. I dropped some precum on her thong while in the act, dont know about her. She proceeded to make me lie flat and then we mutually masturbated. I rubbed her vagina and had my finger inside for a minute. All this while i did not have any condom on. Is there any chance to contract HIV from her vaginal fluid on my finger that might have touched my exposed penis. There was no absolutely intercourse involved.

I had developed some coughing (after 3 days), and swollen tonsil (after 10 days for 3 days) after this. Worried by this i got a test done at the 25 day mark. It was a Uni Gold Rapid test and it came out negative.
Should I go for further testing?
She also mentioned that a negative test at 25 day mark means nothing. Is that true?
The consultant at the center asked me to come back at the 3 months mark and then again at the 6 months mark.

All this has no doubt hampered my personal life and my work.  I still have some coughing occasionally and there are some red spots on the back of my tongue.

Please advice

1. am i at risk? (low, none, high) What are my chances?
2. did my test mean anything?
3. do i need further testing?


Extremely Worried

Answer
1. Anytime infected semen, vaginal fluid, blood and/or breast milk enter another person's body, transmission is possible.

2. It meant that you did not have HIV antibodies 25 days after possible exposure. However, with HIV, it can take some people up to 6 months to develop antibodies which is why they asked you to come back. Most people, though, will seroconvert by 3 months.

3. If you want to know definitively, yes, follow the advice of the test center.