What are the precautions to be followed after unprotected sex?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Before I suggest it, I would like to know a few things.

1. Was your partner a regular or commercial sex worker?

2. Did you use any protection like a condom?

3. When did you start taking post-exposure prophylaxis medication?

4. How long did you take post-exposure prophylaxis medication?

Kindly revert. Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I consider it as intercourse with a stranger who has indulged in multiple sexual encounters with multiple partners, and we do not know the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) status of the lady. As you did not use protection and bled, the risk is high. It is good that you started your PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) within no time, and I suggest you continue for at least 30 days. Although you may have side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, etc., they may not be significant considering the benefits. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. A slight increase in cholesterol is of no concern. However, reduce your weight for general well-being. Once you complete your course of medicine, get the HIV tests done after consulting your doctor. Further courses will be decided based on the test results.

Having said all these, do not panic. Good that you consulted your doctor and started medicines at the earliest. That should prevent infection up to the extent of 80 %. Do not get involved in sexual encounters until you complete your treatment course and get negative reports. Always practice the use of protection, especially with strangers and commercial sex workers.

I hope this helps. Thank you and take Care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You must be taking the medicines for a month, and you need not worry. And do not search internet, which will only scare you with unnecessary information. Although vaginal sex carriers have a lesser risk than sharing syringes, the risk is still there, and you cannot undermine it. And, decisions can be taken accordingly if you can get an HIV(human immunodeficiency virus) test done for the sex worker. I am not sure of the extent of damage to your liver due to alcohol, but still, considering the risk, the benefits are much more significant.

Considering your wife's health, do not indulge in sex with her until you are negative after 30 days. I am sure you are aware of the effects of alcohol on health. Kindly avoid or be within the limit. You will never know when it takes a toll on your health.

I hope this helps. Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

If she is negative for human immunodeficiency virus by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method, you can discontinue medications after consulting your doctor. In addition to the PCR method, antibodies should also be checked for her. This will help us know both her past and current infection status. The duration of sex does not matter. What matters is a mix of body fluids.

I hope this helps. Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The tests are antibodies for HIV 1 and 2 and the p24 antigen assay. Once the reports are available, which may take 24 to 48 hrs, think of the next course.

Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest taking HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) antibodies and western blot.

Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Western blot is a molecular study that utilizes PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect viral proteins like p24. Antibodies are two types covered in tests like immunoglobulin G and M, indicating both present or previous infection. I hope this clarifies.

Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The risk is always there when body fluids come in direct contact. It is more with anal intercourse than vaginal. The person infected with HIV carries the viruses in their body fluids, including vaginal secretions. The viral load is much lesser in saliva and breast milk. As those two tests are confirmatory, you should be assured if they turn out to be negative. Therefore, you may discontinue your medicines post consultation with your treating physician. Although errors may happen, it is rare. Unfortunately, you cannot rule out the errors completely. Sometimes you do not even know the error. I suggest you continue with the medicines regularly at the same time of the day until her results are available.

I hope this helps. Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Compared to your earlier shared report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), most values were within normal limits. I could see that there is a slight increase in liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT), cholesterol levels, and eosinophils. Note that all are known side effects of the medications you are taking. However, this is of no concern as of now. But you may want to repeat the tests especially to monitor the liver enzymes. You may repeat after 10 days to monitor the same. All these side effects come down post-treatment.

Hope this helps.

Take Care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Antibodies reports may take some time after infection. It only helps us understand past infections. The other report talks about active infection. It is still not conclusive. We may have to repeat the tests after 3 to 4 weeks. However, continue your PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I have gone through the report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Antibodies are negative. However negative antibody test does not altogether rule out infection. The usual window period with increasing accuracy is 3 weeks to 3 months. However, her PCR has detected some viral load. This should be interpreted cautiously. I suggest you discuss this with your doctor at length. Many times typing over such issues can be incomplete.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

1. Western blot is also an antibody test that mostly confirms test positive if earlier screening was done by the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) method. The viral load by PCR method is adapted when you really want to get pictures as early as possible.

2. Although a high viral load can increase the chances of spread, a low load can also do so. However, the risk is always there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Good to see the results. I would discontinue medications in such cases as you are negative after about three weeks of exposure to the virus and the girl is also negative. However, I suggest you discuss it with your doctor once before discontinuation. Regarding liver enzymes, it is expected and is of no concern as of now as they are still below five times the upper limit of normalcy. With the withdrawal of medicines, they should settle.

Hope this helps.

Take Care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Can you please schedule a phone consultation with me today? Would like to discuss this with you in detail. This will alleviate your anxiety as well.

Thanks and take care.