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What is the chance of HIV transmission after protected sex?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 26-year-old male. I had protected sex with a sex worker a month back. I used one condom, she gave oral sex, and then we had vaginal sex for 5 minutes. Once I finished off, I went to the bathroom and got cleaned off. I could not see any tears on the condom. I just washed my penis and got back home. The same night, after two hours, I pulled my foreskin behind to clean my penis with soap. The frenulum got too tight and tore. It started bleeding. I washed my penis and let it heal for two weeks.

What are the chances of getting HIV from what had happened? I do not have any symptoms. Just had a fever for a day, and now I have a common cold. On the 15th day post-exposure (yesterday), I went for the HIV PCR RNA test. The results are yet to come. Will the torn frenulum give a chance for the HIV virus to get in after two hours? I am feeling very anxious and stressed out. I really need your guidance. Please suggest what I need to do to rule out HIV and live a normal life.

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) with the given description are almost nil. The HIV test is likely to be negative. If the test is negative, it is almost conclusive, provided there is no further risk exposure. The chance of the test result coming positive later is almost nil. You can go for HIV antibody tests after three months of exposure to have final conclusive results to relieve your anxiety.

I hope this has helped you. Please feel free to reach me again in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I really appreciate your quick response.

There was no further exposure. Can I take this HIV RNA test result as conclusive and not retest after that? I just wanted to know how accurate this test is after 15 days of post-exposure. Is it more than 95 % accurate? And are there chances of false negatives?

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

This test is more than 95 to 99 % sensitive after 12 to 14 days of exposure. It is almost conclusive. But it would be better to go for HIV antibodies tests after three months of exposure to have final conclusive results and to relieve your anxiety.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I got my PCR RNA results, but they have only done it for HIV 1. It has come back as not detected. I have attached the report for your reference. Lymphocytes are slightly high. Is this a bad thing? Please give me your feedback. I also want to know the following:

  1. Do I need to test for HIV 2?
  2. How safe am I with respect to acquiring HIV?
  3. Do I need to test for STDs? I do not have any kind of symptoms.

Please suggest what I need to do to get this done and forget about this.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) with the given description are almost nil. HIV-1 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is negative. It is almost conclusive (attachment removed to protect patient identity) that HIV-2 is usually rare. You can get HIV-2 RNA (ribonucleic acid) PCR, too, if you desire. It is rare. Though the chances of tests coming positive later are nil, it is better to go for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody tests after three months of exposure for final conclusive results.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Can I take the STD panel test now? It has been three weeks since the exposure. I need not repeat it later on, do I? If I do an HIV-2 PCR tomorrow and if it comes back as negative, will I be 95 % safe?

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can get an STD panel test now as a baseline. If you develop any symptoms, the specific tests can be done if needed. So I suggest you get an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 2 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test done. It is more than 95 % sensitive. Also, I suggest that you undergo HIV 1 and HIV-2 antibody tests after three months, which will give final conclusive results.

I hope this was helpful.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I just wanted to update you with my test results. I had done a HIV 1 RNA PCR on the 15th day post potential exposure and it came out negative. On the 21st day post exposure I did a HIV 2 PCR and it also came out as negative yesterday. I have attached the report. Am I safe? Is this conclusive? Can I forget about HIV? Please advice.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is almost conclusive after both HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 1 and 2 RNA (ribonucleic acid) PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is negative. The chances of HIV test results coming positive later are almost nil. You are free from HIV provided there is no further risk of exposure. But it would be better to get HIV 1 and HIV-2 antibody tests after three months of exposure to have final conclusive results.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I did an STD panel test six weeks post-exposure. Please find attached my results. Am I safe? Do I need to repeat the STD panel test at the end of three months?

Please reply.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the follow-up query. It is good that the tests are negative. Further tests are not required unless there are any symptoms.

I hope this has helped.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Today is the tenth week post a risky exposure. I have rashes on my inner thigh, which cause itching. There are small bumps in my inner thigh near my groin area. I just wanted to check with you if this is an STD. I underwent an STD panel test at six weeks post-exposure, and everything came back negative. Is this any STD or a fungal infection? I am planning to repeat the STD panel test at 12 weeks as a confirmatory test.

Please suggest.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the follow-up query. The rashes appear to be due to fungal infection. You can try with a topical antifungal cream like Miconazole or Clotrimazole twice daily. Keep the area dry. Use antifungal dusting powders after bath daily to prevent recurrence. It is not related to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). I suggest that you undergo STD (sexually transmitted disease) panel tests after three months for conclusive results.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I got all my STD tests at six weeks post-exposure. All came out negative. Could this be an STD like herpes or something?

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your follow-up query.

The uploaded pictures appear to be due to fungal infection and not due to herpes (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). These can occur in any individual. So do not worry.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

It has been 90 days since potential exposure. I have been on fungal medication for the past week. I am having Terbinafin 250 mg once every night. I am planning to do a STD panel tomorrow. Will Terbinafin affect the results? Also, will this 90-day panel test be conclusive for all STDs, including HIV? Can I go for the test by 10 am tomorrow?

Please give your suggestions.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The HIV tests will be conclusive after three months. You can allay fears of HIV. Other STD tests, too, will be almost conclusive. You need not worry. Terbinafine (antifungal) will not affect the test results.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I did the STD panel test after 90 days post-exposure. I have attached the reports for your reference. Am I clear of all STDs, including HIV? Can I just leave this and not think about this again?

Please reply.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The HIV and herpes tests are negative after three months of exposure, and they are conclusive. You are free from these. You can allay fears of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

I hope this helps you out.

Take care.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 28, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 3, 2025

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