Can HIV Be Transmitted After Protected Sex?

Posted on Thu, 22 May 2014

Question: hi doctor,

i had 10 days ago protected with condom sex with prostitute.

and i did hiv test was not react result,,

but i did it just after 7 days from the exposure,

the problem is, since before yesterday i have lymph node swelling in my neck in both side , not that much big swelling but there is pain and headache…

and i read that one of the symptoms of HIV is lymph node swelling and pain in it and headache or joints pain

please doctor I'm too much scared,, :(

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
with safe sex, symptoms could not be due to HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

1.As you had your exposure with adequate protection with condom, there is nothing to worry.
2. Earliest symptoms of HIV can appear 4-6 weeks after the possible infection, if any, that too only in 50% of the individuals who got infected, not all.Any manifestation earlier to 4 weeks after exposure not necessarily due to HIV. As you had lymph node enlargement 9 days after the high risk activity, it could not be due to HIV.
3. Cervical lymph node enlargement is such a common symptom that anybody can have with or without HIV.
So consult your physician and get treated for the lymph node swelling and get well soon. Not to worry about HIV.
Dr S.Murugan

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar