I have written in so many times but I really would appreciate an answer....I am so worried and it's ruining my life. About three/four months ago I had protected vaginal sex with someone I know (somewhat) but I later found out he had many gay encounters prior to our sleeping together. About an hour after the intercourse I washed my vagina out with water and a month later I found shingles on my stomach. Now I have swollen lymph nodes on one side of my neck.

Pleease, tell me...Am I at risk? I will donate...I just need an answer

Hello,

Protected sex is indeed "protected" if the latex condom was used properly and did not break. The vast majority of cases of shingles have absolutely nothing to do with HIV/AIDS. If my reassurance is not enough for you to shake your worries, get a single HIV-antibody test. Since more than three months has elapsed since your horizontal tango, your test results will be conclusive.

Thanks for your donation to the Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation (www.concertedeffort.org). In return, I'm sending my good-luck karma that your definitive HIV test is negative. I'm confident it will indeed by negative.

Good luck. Be well. Stay well. Nol!

Dr. Bob