There are certain acts and sexual behaviors that put you at a higher risk of contracting HIV. Knowing which factors increase your risk, is important in developing a strategy to protect yourself from HIV now and in the future.
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Query: Hello doctor, Two months back, I was drawing an HIV-positive patient's blood (it said in her chart she was undetectable) with a butterfly needle. I retracted the needle when finished. I cleaned up, and as I was leaving the room, I noticed my index finger was hurting, but I did not feel any needle p... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. As per the description, I feel there was no prick during the process. However, the pressure of holding it during the process might have initiated some pain. Moreover, the chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodef... Read Full »
I am worried about HIV or other STDs after unprotected sex. What can I do?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 33 year old male, who had unprotected sex yesterday. I was drunk, but now, I am worried about HIV or any STDs for that matter. I do not have medical access for the next three months, as I am on a ship. If I express my apprehensions, it may cost me my job. I do have Lamivudine and ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We do not know the HIV status (human immunodeficiency virus) of the person with whom you had sex and also your baseline HIV status, the other thing you mentioned that you do not have medical access for next three months. Considering the availability of only Lamivudin... Read Full »
Can I contract HIV from the use of a blackhead remover?
Query: Hello doctor, I had brought a blackhead remover which includes a stainless steel needle with a blunt tip and a loop online. I used it carelessly without cleaning it yesterday. Now, I am scared to death of contracting HIV from it. Please help me. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cannot survive for long outside the human body. It is unlikely that using a comedone extractor without cleaning could spread HIV. Kindly mention if there was any bleeding when you attempted to remove the blackheads. For more inform... Read Full »
Could I get infected by HIV by having sex with a CSW?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 28 year old male, and a couple of months ago, I had availed an escort service. Ever since, I have been worrying all the time about possible HIV infection. I feel little embarrassed writing about all this. Please excuse if you find any content of my note below unwarranted. I will tr... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The answers to your queries are: An estimated 40 to 90 % of patients with acute HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection will experience acute retroviral syndrome, which includes fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, skin rash, myalgia, arthralgia, etc. These symp... Read Full »
Are rash and lymph node swelling after oral sex signs of ARS?
Query: Hi doctor,I gave oral sex to a man, whose HIV status was unknown, six weeks ago. I have now rash under both armpits and a swollen lymph node in my neck. I am attaching pictures of the rash and the lymph node. Could this be ARS? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I saw the attached pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Oral sex has the least possibility of ARS (acute retroviral syndrome). I do not think you have ARS. Do you have dandruff or an earache or a toothache? Do you have a history of a cold or a... Read Full »
I had an unprotected sex but did not ejaculate. I am worried about HIV. Please guide.
Query: Hello doctor, I am 27 years old heterosexual male. I am married and have a three months old baby boy, I never had sex before my marriage neither outside it, but yesterday I went to a massage center which including massage with oil, sona, steam room and then moroccan shower by the lady. During the sh... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The answer to your question based on the various things that unprotected sexual act without ejaculation still puts you at some risk of contacting HIV as you do not know the other person status. But the good thing is that you are circumcised and there is ample evidenc... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor,Last week I had protected sex with a woman. While that sex, there was a skin peeling on the edge of my nail. This peeling had occurred the day before sexual intercourse and got bleed. There was no bleeding during sexual intercourse, but there was a clotted wound. I did not put my finger in... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protected sex means no risk. A little kiss may cause HSV (herpes simplex), herpes, and STD (sexually transmitted disease). You must be under treatment for herpes. Take capsule Acyclovir 800 mg of daily after food. The actual dose is six times a day. But it is not possi... Read Full »
Do the symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat indicate HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, I had sex with my office colleague 15 days back and he looks healthy and happy, but within two weeks of that incident, I got cold, fever 99.8 Farenhite, sore throat, toothache, and severe cough like never before. I am very scared. I got my period four days after sex. I am worried abou... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the condom was intact, then there is nothing to worry. Nevertheless, you can go for HIV testing at four weeks. Read Full »
I am suffering from headache, high fever, and throat pain after body massage. Can it be HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, Around three weeks back, I went for a body massage in the afternoon. The therapist asked me in the middle whether I needed a body-to-body massage, and I said yes. She removed her dress on top and rubbed her body on me, but she did not pull her pants. She gave me a handjob (no penetrati... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Body massage, rubbing or handjob, touching or rubbing anal opening, and even fingering are safe sexual practices. They do not pose any risk of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) as the virus cannot pass through intact skin. Clothing like towels is not a ... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I have a small cut on my thumb. It was semi-open but not actively bleeding. I did not finger or come into direct contact with any sex workers' vaginas, nor did any of them have any open bleeding wounds that I touched. However, I felt and ran my hands on their bodies and anus. A few of the... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by the given descriptions are almost nil. I hope this helps. Kind regards. Read Full »