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Avatar universal

HIV Risk and Testing

Hi Dr,

First of all thank you for the service you provide.  I've been reading these forums a while now and they have provided quite a bit of comfort.  

Around 4 months I had unprotected oral sex with a female.  I'm a male and it was giving and receiving oral.  I was test by PCR-DNA and Elisa around 7 weeks, then I did another Elisa at 12 1/2 weeks (88 days).  I've been negative on all tests.  My question is how accurate is the PCR-DNA test with an Elisa at 7 weeks?   Then, how accurate is the Elisa at 88 days or 12 1/2 weeks?  All my tests we done at Labcorp.  I've been having strange syptoms for almost 2 months now...pain in throat while swallowing w/ pain in my groin area from my glands I think.  Thank you for your time.
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We ask clients to stay on topic in their questions. I will provide a single answer but that will wrap things up for this exchange and there should not be a need for further questions.

With respect to your herpes test, we would not have recommended it. There was no reason to worry about HSV and unfortunately, the test often does just what you are experiencing- i.e. a negative test becomes a “low positive".  At the value you report, over 80% of results are falsely positive.  I doubt that you acquired HSV.

As for EBV and CMV, they do not fit the picture you present either.  I think you need to work with your doctor to sort this out using tests and evidence of infection, not guesses but my sense is that there is no STD present here.  Certainly, thus far there is no proof that this is the case.

This will end this thread. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good Morning,

I'm wondering about the possibility of EBV or CMV given that my symptoms have been going for a couple months now?  About 10 days after my incident I took a herpes test for recent and past exposure.  My recent exposure came back slightly positive (1.11) and my past exposure was negative.  Is this test accurate for herpes?  My throat was getting better for about a week, but now it seems like the discomfort is coming back.  Also, my glands and testicles seem to be feeling better, but still not 100% and I've been on anti-biotic for about 6 days.  Vision in my left eye seems to have a weird glare or sometimes it feels like I have something in it as well.  I don't know what to think...except for I know something is wrong.  This gone on for far too long.  Thanks!  
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The sorts of symptoms you describe would be atypical for NGU and for epididymitis.  As I said before, you need to discuss this witht he doctor. Levofloxacin would be fine for these syndromes but I am not convinced that this is what is troubling you. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My primary suggested it could be epidimitis or NGU.  Does this cause testicle pain and groin pain?  I tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV and all tests have been negative and I do not have any discharge...just aching.  Is Levofloxacin prescribed for NGU and epidimitis?  I apologize for so many questions, but I've always been a healthy person so I'm pretty concerned.  Also, with all my blood work being normal is it still possible to have an infection?

Thanks!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I do not treat patients unless there is evidence for treatment.  On the other hand, some doctors will treat worried patients because it gets them out of the office.  I cannot tell you why your doctor treated you or what you are being treated for. There are many reasons for prescribing levofloxacin.  

The questions you are asking should be directed to the doctor who is treating you.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Dr.

So I went back to my dr yesterday due to my glands continuing to ache and now my testicles seem to be aching along with tightness and discomfort in my lower back.  My testicles are also much more sensitive.  He prescribed levofloxacin in case of infection.  Does this sound like it could be an STD?  Is levofloxacin regularly prescribed for STD infections?  Thanks!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would do your best to not worry about your symptoms.  Your Dr. has evaluated you and there is no problem obious to him/her.  You may have had one of those troublesome community acquired viral infections that people get from time to time.

There is no reason to be concerned about HIV due to having unprotected sex with your regular partner at this time.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Dr,

Thank you for your reply.  What do you recommend I do about my symptoms?  I went to my primary Dr last week and did regular blood work, which came back normal.  My throat seems to be clearing up on it's own, but my glands in my groin are still aching.  I've never had symptoms like this in the past and I really want to put the fear of HIV behind me.   Also, I've recently started a new relationship that is getting more serious.   She tested for HIV recently and was negative.  Is it ok for us to have unprotected sex in regards to HIV?  Thanks!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  As someone who is familiar with our site, you know that we do not recommend PCR alone as HIV tests. The reasons for this have to do with the lack of information on the time course for development of a positive PCR, as well as the fact that positive PCR tests can be falsely positive.   On the other hand, when a PCR is combined with an antibody test, the performance is quite similar to the DUO tests.  In other words, at ANY time more than 4 weeks after an exposure, if both the PCR and antibody tests are negative, you can be confident that you did not get HIV.  thus, in your own case both your 7 week and 12 week tests provide definitive evidence that you did not get HIV.

By the way, the exposure you describe- unprotected oral sex, is no risk as well. There are no proven instances in which HIV has been transmitted by oral sex.

You do not need further testing.  You did not get HIV from the exposure you described.  EWH
Helpful - 0

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