What Causes HIV?

Posted on Thu, 9 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Apr 2015 Answered on

Tue, 5 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello

I was in a sexual contact with sex worker two days ago. We used protection orally and vaginal sex. After the sex was done the worker grabbed a wet towel and started to clean my penis from bottom up then when she got to the condom she stopped then slowly used the wet towel to remove the condom up and off my penis. I am worried that in doing so she rubbed the vaginal fluids on the head of my penis and the tip. Would this be a risk factor of catching HIV? Just trying to understand if I am at risk.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to transmit HIV .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome back to health care magic.
I have gone through the details.
HIV is not transmitted through fomites like towels. HIV does not survive beyond few minutes in environment.

The chances of transmission of HIV by unprotected intercourse is 1/200 to 1/1000.The risk is low.
If there is contact of vaginal fluids with penis then the risk is less than unprotected intercourse.
With the description given,it is unlikely that vaginal secretions have come in contact with penis.
The risk is nil.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venerologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (16 hours later)

Ok great. Just to make sure im going to take the Pcr Rna Hiv test. How many days after exposure should i wait to take it?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
10-12 days after exposure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Though it can detect as early as 4-5 days post exposure, You can take the test after 10-12 days exposure.
HIV 1&2 RNA PCR.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (35 minutes later)

Can someone have symptoms as early as four days after exposure?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

No there will not be any manifestation or symptoms .But the HIV virus starts multiplying and can be detected as early as 4 days.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Would tiredness and nausea be symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Non specific.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Yes they can be symptoms of HIV.They are non specific and can be due to any illnesses including simple infection too.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (5 hours later)

Doctor i ment to ask synptoms of acute hiv . Is it possible after 5 days of exposure to have tiredness and nausea are these symptoms of acute hiv just 5 days after the sex i had with a sex worker .

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Usually these symptoms appear after 2-3 weeks.They are non specific and can be due to any illnesses including simple infection too.
Do not get anxious about these symptoms.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (34 minutes later)

Thank you. If i take the pcr rna test on day 7. What would be the % conclusivity? 90% or greater

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes greater than 95%.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query
Yes it would be greater than 95% after 7 days exposure.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (10 minutes later)

Ok should i take it at 7 days or wait till 11 days?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Better after 10- 12 days

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
It would be better if you can take after 10-12 days.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

So if i understand. 7 days is 95% conclusive. 10-12 is 99.99% conclusive?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better sensitivity after 10-12 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

We cannot be sure as in mathematics about %.But it would be better to say test is more sensitive after 10-12 days.The chances of detection is higher and even the chance that virus is found sample is higher .
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 days later)

Hello I have taken the PCR rna test at nine days past exposure. Would you recommend taking the test at 12 days again. Or nine days is conclusive

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need for repeating PCR test.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
There is no need for repeating test after 12 days.it is almost 99% sensitive .
Though the chances of coming positive later is nil,To be conclusive you again go for antibodies for HIV test after 12 weeks.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D