Question 1

I had sex with someone new last night and during it the condom broke. It took me about a minute before fixing it and switching to a new one. Now I'm stressed about the risk of getting HIV from this. Is there a real chance I got infected? What should I do now if there's a possibility of having caught something?

Accepted Answer

Hi, I understand your concern. There's a potential risk of HIV transmission if the other person is HIV positive. I recommend starting **PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)** within 72 hours and getting tested. Please consult a doctor immediately for evaluation and guidance.

Question 2

I recently got bitten by a street dog, which left a scratch without any bleeding. I quickly rinsed it with tap water for about 10 or 30 seconds and then got the intradermal antirabies vaccine around 45 minutes later. I'm a bit concerned about a few things. Could I still be at risk for rabies since I didn't wash the bite with soap for a full 15 minutes? Also, is there a chance my family could catch rabies just from washing dishes in the same spot where I cleaned my leg? I'm worried because I noticed the hospital might not have kept the vaccine cold the entire time I mean, they took it out in the morning and used it throughout the day, and I got my first dose around 4:30. For the second dose, they did get it right from storage, but the cool box was always open. Is there a possibility that this could affect how well the vaccine works and my chances of getting rabies?

Accepted Answer

For a scratch without bleeding from a street dog bite, washing the site with running tap water for 10-30 seconds is a good first aid measure. The risk of rabies transmission through such a scratch is very low. However, to be safe, you received the intradermal antirabies vaccine, which is the appropriate course of action to prevent rabies infection. Rabies is not transmitted through objects like utensils. The virus is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. Washing utensils where you washed the bitten site does not pose a risk of rabies transmission to your family members. The rabies vaccine is sensitive to temperature and must be stored properly to maintain its effectiveness. If the vaccine was not stored correctly, there is a risk that its potency may have been compromised. However, receiving the vaccine doses as you described (45 minutes after the bite and on the fourth day) is still beneficial in preventing rabies infection. It is important to complete the full course of the vaccine as prescribed by your healthcare provider to ensure protection against rabies.

Question 3

I'm really concerned about my husband. He had a fever and his platelet count was really low, so the doctor first thought he had a viral fever. After some medication, his platelets went up, but when we checked again a week later, they dropped again. They suggested we test for HIV, and we found out that HIV 1 came back reactive, but HIV 2 was non-reactive. They did a rapid ELISA test too. Does this mean he really has HIV? And can we still consider having a baby?

Accepted Answer

The reactive result for HIV-1 on the rapid ELISA test indicates a positive result for HIV-1 infection. However, the non-reactive result for HIV-2 suggests that HIV-2 infection is not present. It is important to confirm these results with further testing such as Western blot or PCR for HIV-1. Regarding having a baby, it is still possible to have a baby if one partner is HIV positive. With proper medical care and treatment, the risk of transmission of HIV to the baby can be significantly reduced. It is important for both partners to consult with a healthcare provider specializing in HIV care to discuss options such as antiretroviral therapy and other measures to reduce the risk of transmission during conception and pregnancy.

ideally within 24-48 hours so no need to worry

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