Conclusive results?

[Testing2much]

Heterosexual male, unprotected handjob with another males semen as lube.  This was over 4.5 months ago.  Confirmed NGU (swab) from the event.  Treated with Zpak and then Doxy.  Is this an HIV risk?   Due to other STD being present, concerned about viral load, etc...

Also concerned about some shoulder joint pain, swollen nodes in neck, pits, and chest (infraclavicular), and weight loss.   No real fever, no rash, no real sore throat.... and most of the symptoms that i would attribute to HIV didn't even show up till just recently - last 30 days or so, so about 3.5 months after exposure.

Also, have tested with the Oraquick in home test multiple times (8 total) from week 12 through week 19.  All negative, and followed the directions explicitly when taking.

Can I stop worrying about HIV, even with the symptoms lingering (at week 19)?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I endorse the information you have already received on our HIV Community site.  No person has ever gotten HIV from receipt of masturbation.  Further, you are clearly not the first.  Your multiple negative tests for HIV provide conclusive evidence that you were not infected by the exposure you describe.  

I hope this helps.  Please move forward and stop worrying.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, the OraQuick is as reliable as other tests for HIV antibodies.  You should believe the results.  

End of thread.  Further questions will be deleted without comment.  EWH

[Testing2much]

Dr, just wanted t ask for clarification on something....  It appears that there was a typo in your final response to me, and I was hoping you would restate for me so that I may ensure I understand your meaning completely.

You wrote:

"It appears that you are a victim of internet based mis-information.  The OraQuick test is quite accurate and the idea that 8% of infected persons is simply not the case."

Did you mean that the Oraquick home test is actually more reliable than the reported 1 out of 12 (infected people) will supposedly show false negatives that was initially reported?

[Testing2much]

Appreciate the insight Dr.  There is a lot of misleading information out there about the OraQuuick home test then...  There are literally hundreds of articles out there claiming that the home test is not as accurate (as the oral test taken in a clinical setting) in identifying people that are actually positive.  

Your information is well received.

Now I just need to figure out why all these glands are swollen....

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last answer.  It appears that you are a victim of internet based mis-information.  The OraQuick test is quite accurate and the idea that 8% of infected persons is simply not the case.  

Further testing is truly a waste of time.  

I'll have nothing more to say. EWH

[Testing2much]

Sorry, neglected to hit "reply" before posting my last two messages.

Here they are again, in response to your last message.


Just about every press release, including quotes from the FDA claimed that there is a possibility of 1 in 12 people (that are actually positive) getting a false negative on the home test.

This is why I took so many, hoping to cut down those odds a bit, and ensure no "user error".


Dr, one final question I'd like your thoughts on (please).  Since I was able to "pick up" a bacterial infection from this event, is it reasonable for me to be concerned about HIV as well?  

I have read that viral load may be considerable higher in the semen of those coinfected with an STD and HIV.  

This, plus my nagging symptoms is what drives my fears.

[Testing2much]

Dr, one final question I'd like your thoughts on (please).  Since I was able to "pick up" a bacterial infection from this event, is it reasonable for me to be concerned about HIV as well?  

I have read that viral load may be considerable higher in the semen of those coinfected with an STD and HIV.  

This, plus my nagging symptoms is what drives my fears.

[Testing2much]

Just about every press release, including quotes from the FDA claimed that there is a possibility of 1 in 12 people (that are actually positive) getting a false negative on the home test.

This is why I took so many, hoping to cut down those odds a bit, and ensure no "user error".

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I cannot tell you where the mis-information you have gotten is coming from. Soon after it was release some investigators published reports suggesting that the Oraquick missed some cases but more recent data have shown that this was not the case.  EWH

[Testing2much]

Is all of the stuff I am reading about Oraquick home test accuracy (being only 92% accurate) mainly attributed to folks that don't understand the concept of "window period"?

Thanks Doc.  

[Testing2much]

Married w/ kids...  Really scared for the future of my family over this regretful incident.

Haven't slept with wife in months.  I need to be able to put this behind me as soon as it is safe to.  

I received some positive advice from the community forum, but wanted to get an opinion from the Docs as well.

Thank you for any advice or guidance.