Fear Of Hiv

Fear of HIV, often known as AIDS phobia, is a kind of nosophobia in which a person feels they are infected despite having tested negative for HIV. AIDS phobia is a deep-seated issue; it has nothing to do with reports but rather with the guilt of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior or obsessive thought.

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I had some scratches in the penis area and the condom slipped off halfway while withdrawing. Will I get affected by STI?

Query: Hello doctor, Two weeks ago I had intercourse with an unknown girl. The hour before the exposure I trimmed and just had some small scratches on the region where the penis and scrotum meet, and had sex using a condom while withdrawing it slipped halfway. This act was just completed within five minute...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. The chances of transmission of HIV or hepatitis by single-protected intercourse are almost nil if the condom is used appropriately. If there is no contact of fluids with scratch wounds then the possibility of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), He...  Read Full »

I got a few cuts on my penis area while shaving and had unprotected oral sex with a sex worker. Does it make me vulnerable to HIV and STIs?

Query: Hello doctor, I had sex last week with a sex worker. 12 hours before sex I shaved my penis area with a razor, and there were cuts in four to five places. Moreover, I licked her vagina without any protection. Can these two activities lead to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and STIs (sexually trans...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder K. Sachdeva

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Unprotected vaginal sexual contact carries a risk of transmission of HIV and other STIs. Please get tested for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections). The first test could be taken at four to six weeks of exposure and if the...  Read Full »

I had a hand massage, but I am unsure if my female partner washed her hands or had pores on her hands. What are my chances of developing STDs?

Query: Hi doctor, What are the chances of getting STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, herpes, or HIV on getting massages with oil over the penis from the female partner? I would also mention it was a hand massage and no fluid exchange occurs. As I am worried because I do not know if she have ...  Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your anxiety. As you have informed there was no penetration or no oral sex involved and only a hand massage was witnessed. So, the risk for HIV in your case is zero. And I think you do not need to worry about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and no tests...  Read Full »

I have a wound on my groin area. Is my partner at risk of HIV transmission if we have sex?

Query: Hello doctor, I hope you are doing well. I have a question regarding the risk of HIV transmission. Yesterday evening, I popped an ingrown hair on my groin area and it was bleeding. Today, about 14 to 18 hours later, I am supposed to have sex with my partner. I am concerned whether it is safe to have...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I understand your concern. Based on the information you provided, it is unlikely for the wound in your groin area to come into contact with vaginal secretions or blood during sexual activity. If your partner is free from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), then there i...  Read Full »

Can I do an HIV test using a home kit three days prior to the completion of window period?

Query: Hello doctor, I had intercourse three months ago. Today, I bought an HIV self-test kit. The test info says that there must be a window period of three months. I am just three days short of completion of the window period. Can I do the test today itself as I am very anxious? Kindly advise.   Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would be happy to help. The ideal window period for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is 12 weeks. During this period, the chances of false negative results are high. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Heal...  Read Full »

The pharmacist who gave me my rabies shot touched the needle before injecting. Are there chances for HIV infection?

Query: Hello doctor, Yesterday, I took a rabies shot in a pharmacy. The pharmacist touched things like papers and money when talking to other customers. Also, his thumb touched the long part of the needle when he was preparing the injection. However, he did not touch the needle tip, and there was no blood...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. There is no need to worry. The pharmacists are well trained about the precautions before any injection. Therefore, the chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by such modes are nil. I hope this helps. Thank you.  Read Full »

Can I become HIV positive eight years after exposure and after testing negative with home kits?

Query: Hello doctor, I am around 26 years old, and I have had multiple times of sexual intercourse with sex workers for four years. I had lost around three kilograms of weight past two years during the pandemic, and I just feared if it could be due to HIV or something, so I took the third-generation antib...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. HIV fourth generation kit is able to detect antigens as well as antibodies after six weeks of exposure. It can completely exclude HIV after three months of exposure. So, consider yourself free from HIV, as you had exposure three months back.. ...  Read Full »

Are red dots on my shoulder and back after a protected sex a sign of HIV?

Query: Hello doctor,Five months ago I had unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex with a sex worker. After six days, I got flu, sore throat, and dry cough. The fever and sore throat went away in four days, but the cough lasted for three to four weeks. I am unsure if it is from HIV or the common flu ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder K. Sachdeva

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The answers to your queries are: Not all unprotected exposure will lead to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Your HIV antibody test is negative because you did not acquire HIV infection from the unprotected exposure you are worried about. ...  Read Full »

Should I consider fourth-generation HIV combo tests conclusive in me after four weeks of possible exposure?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a deep-mouth kiss with a sex worker, and now I am anxious about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). I tested negative with the fourth generation combo test three weeks before. The combo test detects only HIV-1 p24 antigen, so shall I consider it conclusive for HIV-2? Or do I need...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Kissing is generally not a risk factor for transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) unless the saliva is contaminated with gross blood or there are open sores or ulcers in the oral cavity. Moreover, a fourth-...  Read Full »

A barber touched my face injury with his bare hands while shaving. Are there risks of HIV transmission?

Query: Hi doctor,Today I visited the unisex saloon shop near my house. This is my regular saloon which I visit for haircuts and shaving. The barber changed a new blade and was shaving me. After some time I felt a sharp pain on my face and found that the barber had cut my face a little bit. I have attached ...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.From the images attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), if a new blade was used, you need not worry about HIV. The chances of transmission of HIV are nil. There is no need for PrEP in your scenario. There are chances of HIV transmission by using reu...  Read Full »

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