I recently had a brief encounter with a sex worker and made sure to use a condom, but now Im really anxious about the risk of getting HIV. Ive been reading up a lot online, and to be honest, it's making me pretty scared and down. The thing is, the encounter was really short, like about 2 minutes, and I didnt feel much. While removing the condom, I think I mightve done it wrong by pulling it from the base up. When I checked afterward, my penis was dry and there wasnt any noticeable liquid on my hands. Im worriedcould I still be at risk for HIV?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

The risk of HIV transmission in this scenario is low, especially since you used a condom. However, to further reduce the risk, you can consider taking Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of the exposure. PEP involves taking a combination of antiretroviral drugs for 28 days. I recommend you consult a healthcare provider for a proper assessment and prescription of PEP.

Dr. Anshul Suggests...

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Answered 04/07/2025

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I've been having sexual interactions with another male, but our activity hasn't involved actual penetration, just some touching. I'm really concerned and want to know if this kind of contact could still put us at risk for HIV transmission.

there is a chance of transmission its better to do elisa

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I've been really worried about the window period for HIV testing. I got tested after 140 days, and my result came back non-reactive. I'm wondering if that means Im definitely in the clear, or if there's a more accurate test I should consider for better peace of mind. Could you shed some light on the best test option for HIV detection?

The window period for HIV testing varies depending on the type of test used, ranging from 10 to 90 days. For a non-reactive result after 140 days, it's likely that the test has detected the absence of HIV antibodies and antigens, indicating a negative status. The best test for HIV detection is the 4th generation antibodyantigen test, which can detect 99% of samples within 45 days. However, if you're still concerned, consider a nucleic acid test (NAT), which can detect HIV within 10-33 days.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I'm really worried and have a question I've been thinking about. After having intercourse, how long does it usually take before you might start to notice any symptoms of HIV? Would it be a matter of months?

depends on health status

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

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