Expert: Terry B - 11/4/2007

Question
hi Terry , first thing i wanna tell you is you guys are really helping people out and doing a great job . ok here is my story and the question attached to it . Please take the time to read the story to understand my query .
i had oral sex with a girl on the 20th october . i sucked at her vagina and i wont lie there was little amount of vaginal excretion.The mistake that happened is i dint wash my hands or mouth after that but had a drink of whisky .
later on i rubbed my penis around her vagina trying to enter her but she was too dry to be entered . Also i touched my penis with my hands after touching her vagina . The thing that happened is could not enter her because i was so drunk there was rubbing that went along with trying to enter her . I would gladly ask the girl if she has aids but she has left town a while ago . also i have just found out she has slept with like  2 dozen men .
here are my questions.
1. how long do i wait before i go in for a test which is definite (considering the exposure date to be oct20.)
2. Also please tell me the name of the test i need to go for to determine that i have no sexual diseases or aids.
Eagerly awaiting ur reply .
Thanks in advance.


Answer
Dear Jai:

Peace.  Thank you for your appreciation of our work, and for providing details for your question.   Based on what you are asking, I would remind you that what you describe is somewhat low risk for HIV transmission (see questions and responses on oral sex throughout this forum) and you might weigh the benefits of knowing your status against the costs involved.   

First, directly answering your question about testing for 'sexually transmitted infections' - this would depend on your setting and possible symptoms.  There are, as you could probably imagine, many diseases that can be transmitted sexually.  I would recommend, in order, that you talk with your personal or family physician if you have one, and/or a counselor at a sexually transmitted infection (STI/STD)/HIV testing clinic.  

I recommend the physician first because if infected, you may need treatment, and I would suggest you also talk about alcohol and - as you state - alcohol's impact on your life by putting you at risk and impairing your performance.   Not that this is uncommon, but being aware of this and taking some action can improve the rest of your life.

If you do not have a trusted physician, I would recommend you find your local STI/HIV clinic because they should be most familiar with those diseases found in your geographic area as well as be able to recommend a health care provider.

Now on to your specific questions:

1) A review of published data suggests that reliable test results can be obtained by ELISA/Western Blot antibody at about six weeks from exposure.  Greater certainty at six months.  If you are not sexually active in the interim period, this testing has the longest track-record and greatest body of data on reliability with HIV, and is the least expensive.  For cases where the technology is available and cost is not an issue, PCR and antigen testing is an option that may give you reliable results within days of the exposure.

2) There are a variety of tests in a sexually transmitted disease panel, which can look for syphilis, gonorrhea, Herpes, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis, as well as HIV.  Your local physician or testing center should know the tests and your options.  

I hope this is helpful.

The best to you and yours,

Terry