Probability of Transmission and When to Test

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paul808

04/18/2023 at 7:21 PM

paul808

Last activity on 10/07/2025 at 11:32 PM

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Dear forum

Good afternoon. I welcome any thoughts on a matter which is making me sick with worry. I have been struggling with alcohol and depression, and had unprotected vaginal sex, once, with a sex worker. PEP medication was then started after 40 hours.I have been taking the PEP for three weeks now, and find myself looking every day at statistics for transmission. I cannot make sense of the information online. Initially I was able to reassure myself with a commonly occurring figure stating that the chances of female to male transmission, for the activity I stated, are 4 in 10,000, or 0.04 %. However, although this is the most common figure I find, it does appear to come from old research. I have also come across other websites stating that the probability can be significantly higher when a sex worker is concerned, and if the viral load is high. For example, I have seen figures as high as 1%, or one particular research paper stating that on average transmission can occur after 3 encounters.

Secondly, I am due my HIV test a fortnight after completing my month long PEP treatment. This also seems to conflict with the information I read online, which states that a test should not be until six weeks after PEP, due to PEP masking the test

Can anybody shine some light please on this information, or offer any advice on how to cope with this crippling worry ?

Thank you

Paul

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LizziB

04/20/2023 at 11:45 AM

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LizziB

Last activity on 04/21/2024 at 8:17 PM

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Hi @paul808

How are you doing?

This must be a difficult time for you, not knowing your situation and living in worry. Your doctors should be able to give you the most accurate information for your situation. It's sometimes difficult to do research online because there is so much contradicting information.

I will tag a few people who may have some personal experiences they can share.

@Deea9899 @daphnetmckinney @positivesingles @anxious1234 @Bhekiwonga @Jackie209 @Kellyboc @Rumunyu @Arian00 @OhThatsBre @Courtne1love @hamidzich @dav9910 @Osiris88 @Lancepeters @Hillary @Angelbelle @MarkTurton @BigHerb @ChasityHouck @Joelancs @Macsmigasmic @Tripp2020 @Lovelyluck @mmackey @FionaKelsie @Dennisps

Good luck over the next few weeks. I hope you can find someone to talk with and calm your nerves a bit.

Take care,

Lizzi from the Carenity team

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LizziB

Probability of Transmission and When to Test https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-hivaids/probability-of-transmission-and-when-to-test-5227 2023-04-20 11:45:23

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paul808

04/20/2023 at 3:14 PM

paul808

Last activity on 10/07/2025 at 11:32 PM

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@LizziB thank you so much

Probability of Transmission and When to Test https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-hivaids/probability-of-transmission-and-when-to-test-5227 2023-04-20 15:14:42

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Courtne1love

04/20/2023 at 11:50 AM

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Hey Paul! My name is Courtney I thought I was HIV+ for months straight & would give myself anxiety thinking that I had it. I’d have nightmares about it, sometimes even be scared to get tested. I am currently pregnant so that’s how I finally knew my status & come to find out, I’m HIV negative! Advice from my end is don’t worry if it came back negative one time, it’ll come back negative again! 😊

Probability of Transmission and When to Test https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-hivaids/probability-of-transmission-and-when-to-test-5227 2023-04-20 11:50:19

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paul808

04/20/2023 at 3:16 PM

paul808

Last activity on 10/07/2025 at 11:32 PM

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@Courtne1love thanks for the calming words Courtney. It is indeed overwhelming and makes life impossible to function. But it's good to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Much appreciated ..

Probability of Transmission and When to Test https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-hivaids/probability-of-transmission-and-when-to-test-5227 2023-04-20 15:16:27

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Courtne1love

04/20/2023 at 11:50 AM

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Probability of Transmission and When to Test https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-hivaids/probability-of-transmission-and-when-to-test-5227 2023-04-20 11:50:58

Probability of Transmission and When to Test

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