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Corticortsteriod usage and teasting
Dr, I'm scared, alone and confused. I, (female) , had a vaginal encounter that led to partial ejaculation inside me. I tested at 3,3.5.5 and NOW, 7. I never mention syptoms since this sight say test result always out wiegh syptoms. All tests were negative with the 20 min. finger prick test. At six wks post exposer., i had body aches, rash and felt feverish and cold at the same time. That lasted less then 24hrs. At 5.5 mo. i had body aches, major sweeaing for two days and fever of 101.7 for 24 hrs. I never developed a cold though after those syotoms. I then, (now) took the 7 mo. test 6 wks. after those last syptoms, it was neg. My major concern is could i have not had enough time to srecoversion? These archieves stated that if one was on corticortsteriods during sercoversion, it may have an effect on tests. I was using rectal hydrocortisne 100/ml once a day for 3 mo. Before during and after encounter. What are my odds at 7 mo. of turning poss. The meds have a tremedous affect on me that, i'm just not sure. All over this sight it states, no meds can alter tests, but then it says they can, Corticortsteriods. The insert/dirrections on package say to goes systemically in the body and can mask new viruses. You are the expert, please, excuse my ignorance on this matter. What do you thimk?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In my experience the effect is largely theoretical. EWH
Last question, Do you see delay happening in tests? Is it only in theory,but you havent seen cases? I really need to know. I thought , until research yhe only IV drug users or Chemo patients had something to worry about when it came to accuracy of tests? Please tell me if you know of any cases. I need to know.Thank you Dr.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes it would. EWH
Clarification on my part. 3 mo. since i stopped meds. tested at 7 mo. which was 6 wks. from those last symptoms. My question is, would six wks after pusosidly sercversioning be sufficant time for a antibody test to registe?. sorry for the confusion Dr.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Three months is plenty of time for you to have a reliable test result. It is clear that you do not have HIV. Believe the tests. EWH
RE; I do have Ucertive Colitis, but, seems to me in my experience, that i have not had these particular syptoms.
The partner was not an IV drug user or a gay male to my knowledge. I dont know why i was having this syptoms. I of all peaple want to put this behind me.The last meds were taken 3 mo.. after the last possible exposer. Is 3 mo. enough time for Hiv antibodies to register? 5.5 mo. syptoms then a test at 7 mo? You are asked constantly, but my questions are not unfounded like many other posts, have there been situations like mine in your 30+ career? Is this a theoretical answer or do you see patient tests change after this long? Dr, i do feel so alone, isolated and do know the average dr. knows 25% of what you know. Please talk me threw this. I'm not on this sight for pleasure and your exportise is emensly valued. I am extermly anxious and dont ever want to test again. You opinions are apprieiated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. You ask good questions. Before we discuss the impact of steroid therapy on your blood test results, let's first discuss the exposure itself. You do not say much about your partner but, assuming he was a heterosexual male who did not use IV drugs, the probability that he had HIV is less than 1 in 1000 and, if he was infected, the chance of him transmitting that infection to you is also about 1 transmission for every 1000 sex acts. Thus mathematically, before we even begin to consider your test results your mathematical risk of infection is only 1 in a million. Rather low.
Now the steroid medications. You are correct, that there is some absorption of steroid medications when they are taken rectally. Less than when taken by mouth but still some absorption. While the effect tends to be modest, it is true that steroids can DELAY (not prevent, particularly if you have not taken them for a while) development of antibodies when one becomes infected. However, if you are no longer taking steroids you can be completely confident that your 7 month test has provided you with accurate results- you did not get HIV from the exposure you mention.
Finally, there is the question of why you are having the symptoms that you mention. while symptoms such as these are often the result of community acquired, non-sexually transmitted viral infections they can also be due to inflammatory bowel disease or other of these types of problems. Is there any chance that the symptoms you mention could be due to something like this.
I hope you find my comments helpful. EWH
Now the steroid medications. You are correct, that there is some absorption of steroid medications when they are taken rectally. Less than when taken by mouth but still some absorption. While the effect tends to be modest, it is true that steroids can DELAY (not prevent, particularly if you have not taken them for a while) development of antibodies when one becomes infected. However, if you are no longer taking steroids you can be completely confident that your 7 month test has provided you with accurate results- you did not get HIV from the exposure you mention.
Finally, there is the question of why you are having the symptoms that you mention. while symptoms such as these are often the result of community acquired, non-sexually transmitted viral infections they can also be due to inflammatory bowel disease or other of these types of problems. Is there any chance that the symptoms you mention could be due to something like this.
I hope you find my comments helpful. EWH
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