IS MY NEGATIVE RESULT PCR AND 4TH GENERATION ENCOURAGING

[troy1965]

I am based in South Africa.

I had a sexual exposure on the 8th October 2010 and after 2 weeks on the 22nd October, I found out that the girl was HIV positive, I told a doctor who said it was late for PEP but he was still placing me on the PEP. I started PEP 23rd October. On the 25th I had 4th generation test that is negative. On the 1st Nov 2010 I had a HIV PCR test that was negative.

Kindly advise me of my chances of having HIV? I have tested at 28days 4TH Generation and the result was Negative that was last week friday the 5th November. I would test again next week 14days after that should be the 19th Nov, am just stressed and so so depressed. But I strongly trust in God. I am sure from 28days my results are well encouraging.I have actually had a cough and some sore in my mouth but the doctor says that could be stress and anxiety etc……are sypmtons true signs?

[troy1965]

I told you some weeks back of my possible exposure. I had vaginal sex with a lady that I personaly tested 2weeks after sex (Positive) from the home test kit. 2 weeks after exposure I had a 4th generation test (Negative)same week i took PeP for 7days and stopped. I took HIV-1 PCR QUAL 3days after the 7days PeP (Negative), took another 4th Generation test at day 28 post exposure (Negative). I have some sort of mouth white patch and pimple/sore inside my mouth. after another 2weeks I have like something starke in my throat, not painful but discomforting, also feeling itching but not seen any rash yet, I sweat sometimes on my legs/underneath my groin. Dr says I have trush or some fungal infection from anxiety and stress due to I was not eating at a whole week etc. I had another HIV-1 PCR QUAL test at 6weeks (Negative) , Eliza 7 weeks (Negative) , 4th generation 8 weeks (Negative). I would be testing at my 3month mark. But my symptoms all give me away....the Vaginal intercourse was that she robbed my penis on her clitoris and after I put my penis inside and trusted for some 3 or 4 times and got out and wore the Condom, after sex I washed my penis and worried for that exposure.

[troy1965]

Kindly have an answer to this question for further insight. An Antigen P24 test at 14days after vaginal sexual exposure, wld that be encouraging since the antigen is usually detected early before antibodies start building up?

[troy1965]

The test that I have had so far where 4th generation antibody and antigen test at 1month (Negative) and I would also test next week making it 6weeks and 2 weeks 5days after stopping PeP that was administered 2 weeks after exposure taken for 8days only. Also you did say my odds are 1/1000 from a single encounter/exposure. Actually I did not have a completely unprotected sex. She was robbing my penis on her clitoris and as she slipped my penis in, i remember i trusted in and out twice or three  times and i came to my senses and removed my penis and wore the condom...that was my terribly experience and error. I would just be looking up to the test....! Would a 1 Month test be more accurate after the PeP?

[troy1965]

Thank you Doctor, I only started the PEP 2weeks after the exposure becuase I only found out at the 2nd week I took the PEP for only 8days because after the HIV PCR test Negative the Pathologist doctor advised that I stoppedsince i did not start the PEP and the right time. She went on to say that they would have captured the VIRUS if there was any original infection at 2weeks that the 8days PEPcould not have helped stopthe virus from replicating into millions of copies in my blood. I spoke to the Pathologist Doctor again today and she re-assuredme and said I could test at 3 months for normal 4th generation test to give me a clear mind.

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

Hello,
Thank you very much for your post and welcome to our HIV forum.
All those negative test results are highly encouraging and reassuring.  However because the tests have been performed whilst on PEP, their reliability can be affected by the antiretrovirals.  Once you finish PEP, you need to have a HIV Duo (4th generation) at least 4 weeks after, for you to get a fully conclusive test result.
Having said all this, from a single encounter of unprotected vaginal intercourse with a HIV positive woman, the risk for you is relatively low, around 0.1% (1 in 1,000).  I think that your symptoms are most likely to be related to stress and anxiety, even side effects from PEP.
Best wishes,
Dr José