Confirmation regarding rare/very strains of HIV, and testing for HTLV

[joeyk11]

Doctor Jose, or Dr Sean Cummings, following on from the previous topic regarding rare / very rare strains of HIV, and HTLV, can you confirm that, if I caught a rare or very rare strain of HIV seven or eight years ago, that I'd have antibodies by now, and that by now it would show up on the HIV Duo test?  Also, seven or eight years later, would I have symptoms as well ie. being very ill?

And I'm still worried about the HTLV1 and 2...  Would you recommend getting tested for peace of mind?
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/new_with_new_subject?forum_id=383#
Thanks in advance....  Very very worried/terrified about the whole thing - please help me Doctor....

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

You really need to relax.
I totally agree with your doctor and I can confirm that you are definitely HIV negative.  The HIV Duo test would have picked up the antibodies, even if you had been infected with one of the rare subtypes.
Regarding HTLV, as mentioned beofre, it is extremely rare also, and I woudl not recommend you getting tested.  However as you ahve already dione the test, I am very sure that the result will be negative as well.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[joeyk11]

can dr. Jose or anyone confirm what my doctor told me?

[joeyk11]

Just to confirm that i have seen the doctor and he has confirmed that, years later, even with the rare strains i would have antibodies which would be detected by the duo.
Also had tests for htlv and ebv for reassurance...
Basically i feel a lot better now...

[joeyk11]

And if I was to get tested for HTLV1 or 2, there aren't any rare strains that I need to worry about is there?

Please help me Doctor as I'm extremely anxious about this....

[joeyk11]

Sorry, the above message appeared incorrectly on the screen.  Can my original post be edited to read as below:-

Doctor, would you agree as well that, if I caught a rare or very rare strain of HIV seven or eight years ago, that I'd have antibodies by now, and that by now it would show up on the HIV Duo test?  Also, seven or eight years later, would I have symptoms as well ie. being very ill?

And I'm still worried about the HTLV1 and 2...  Would you recommend getting tested for peace of mind?

Thanks in advance....  Very very worried about the whole thing - please help Doctor....