Please help me as i am going out of my mind with worry. Last week i had sex with a prostitute as a bet with some mates when we were very drunk. I did use a condom and it stayed intact but the worrying thing was that during sex i realised that the girl was on her period. I am really really worried that her blood has infected me with HIV.I do not have any open sores or anything like that around my genitalia. Do i need to worry? The worst thing is i have a girlfriend who i have had unprotected sex with since the incident and all i can think of is that i have passed on something to her. PLease help me

If the condom you used had remained intact, was latex, and was used throughout sexual intercourse, then it should have been highly effective at preventing HIV infection. Blood is much more infectious than vaginal and cervical secretions, but the fluid with which you came into contact is irrelevant if the condom was used properly and effectively. It is possible to get infected with certain STDs even if a condom is used, so be conscious of that (see "Is it necessary to roll the condom all the way down? http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/PreventionSexual/Q8921.qna).

Your story highlights the perils of hanging out with the boys when you get drunk. Many people are prone to do things while they are intoxicated that they wouldn't otherwise do, and consequently experience feelings of guilt or remorse. If your drinking behavior is causing you discomfort (which it has already), maybe you should take a closer look at the role alcohol plays in your personal life and relationships. This guilt is clearly influencing your relationship with your girlfriend, and that can be a real drag.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Believe it or not, people do make mistakes. Hey, at least you used a condom!

RMK