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HIV and HCV Testing Question
I had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with a CSW. While performing oral sex, I tasted iron. Since this exposure, I have had the following tests at the detailed intervals:
Most recent HIV tests at 9.5 weeks after exposure
HIV1/2 Antibody
HIV, Quant, DNA
Most recent HCV tests at 16 weeks
HepA Antibody
HepB Core/Surface
Acute Hep Panel for HepC
In addition, each test was accompanied by a CBC, GGT, Bilirubin, T3, Free Thyroxine, Iron Binding Test and too many other enzyme tests to list. I was slightly anemic but all levels were otherwise normal according to doctor.
Are these tests conclusive?
(For the record, this is the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life and if should be lucky enough to make it through this, I will be certain to never do this again. I have all of the usual physical symptoms that many other posters note: coating on tongue, petechiae looking rash, headaches, low grade fever, fatigue, dry mouth, etc. and I am certain that I have HCV and HIV.)
Most recent HIV tests at 9.5 weeks after exposure
HIV1/2 Antibody
HIV, Quant, DNA
Most recent HCV tests at 16 weeks
HepA Antibody
HepB Core/Surface
Acute Hep Panel for HepC
In addition, each test was accompanied by a CBC, GGT, Bilirubin, T3, Free Thyroxine, Iron Binding Test and too many other enzyme tests to list. I was slightly anemic but all levels were otherwise normal according to doctor.
Are these tests conclusive?
(For the record, this is the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life and if should be lucky enough to make it through this, I will be certain to never do this again. I have all of the usual physical symptoms that many other posters note: coating on tongue, petechiae looking rash, headaches, low grade fever, fatigue, dry mouth, etc. and I am certain that I have HCV and HIV.)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Correct, no further testing is needed.
HCV has been oversold as an STD. It is NOT sexually transmitted except in the restricted circumstance mentioned above. Therefore, we don't test for it in my STD clinic unless someone has a real HCV risk, such as drug injection with shared equipment. Therefore, I don't keep up on testing technologies etc. But to the best of my knowledge, even you had a had a significant exposure, the negative results at 4 months are reliable.
I'm glad the forum has been useful for you. But that should end this thread. Take care.
HCV has been oversold as an STD. It is NOT sexually transmitted except in the restricted circumstance mentioned above. Therefore, we don't test for it in my STD clinic unless someone has a real HCV risk, such as drug injection with shared equipment. Therefore, I don't keep up on testing technologies etc. But to the best of my knowledge, even you had a had a significant exposure, the negative results at 4 months are reliable.
I'm glad the forum has been useful for you. But that should end this thread. Take care.
Thank you. This information is very helpful and reassuring. Based on the comment "you were over tested", I assume there is no further need for testing. Correct? I don't want to jeopardize my wife and kids if I have anything.
If you wouldn't mind, could you clarify the current test window on HCV. I think I am good on the HIV thing based on what you have written here and in other threads.
The service you provide is really helpful. It is also helpful to see the large number of people that have nearly identical concerns.
Thanks again.
If you wouldn't mind, could you clarify the current test window on HCV. I think I am good on the HIV thing based on what you have written here and in other threads.
The service you provide is really helpful. It is also helpful to see the large number of people that have nearly identical concerns.
Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to hear you had the most important STD tests! The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice.
Thank you for the quick response. I was also tested for Syp, Gon and Chl and they were negative.
The "iron taste" to me was like when you lick a cut when you are a kid. Not sure if she was at the end of menstruating. I saw no visible evidence of blood.
Lastly, exposure was in Hong Kong. Does that change anything?
The "iron taste" to me was like when you lick a cut when you are a kid. Not sure if she was at the end of menstruating. I saw no visible evidence of blood.
Lastly, exposure was in Hong Kong. Does that change anything?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Based on the sexual exposure described, I would not have recommended any liver function tests and not sure why your doctor thought they were necessary. Perhaps he was playing it safe, based on your symptoms. In any case, I have no opinion about GGT versus the other tests.
And as for your initial closing statement that you are "certain that I have HCV and HIV", I am equally certain you do not. Test results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. I'm sure your doctor also reassured you. There is no possibility you caught either infection.
And as for your initial closing statement that you are "certain that I have HCV and HIV", I am equally certain you do not. Test results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. I'm sure your doctor also reassured you. There is no possibility you caught either infection.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Assuming you are in the US or other industrialized country, it is unlikely your partner had HIV. HCV is not transmitted by heterosexual sex; the only known kind of sex known to transmit HCV is overtly traumatic/blooding rectal sex in men having sex with men; and the risks for hepatitis A and B were almost as low. The unrpotected vaginal sex could have exposed you to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc. Oral sex on women (cunnilingus) carries little risk for any STD. I don't know what to make of the "iron taste" business, but there is no reason to suppose it increases the risk for any infection.
So based on the exposure you described, you were overtested, and there certainly was no reason to spend perfectly good money on all the CBC and thyroid and liver function tests. But the results are reliable, and you can be confident you didn't catch HIV or viral hepatitis of any type. However, you don't mention urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, nor a syphilis blood test. All these would be good ideas; you should discuss them with your doctor. Most likely they will be negative, but better safe than sorry, right?
As for your "dumbest thing" statement, maybe not so dumb. Of course you should plan on using a condom if and when you have such an exposure in the future. But even without protection, most commercial sexual exposures don't result in any STD.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Assuming you are in the US or other industrialized country, it is unlikely your partner had HIV. HCV is not transmitted by heterosexual sex; the only known kind of sex known to transmit HCV is overtly traumatic/blooding rectal sex in men having sex with men; and the risks for hepatitis A and B were almost as low. The unrpotected vaginal sex could have exposed you to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc. Oral sex on women (cunnilingus) carries little risk for any STD. I don't know what to make of the "iron taste" business, but there is no reason to suppose it increases the risk for any infection.
So based on the exposure you described, you were overtested, and there certainly was no reason to spend perfectly good money on all the CBC and thyroid and liver function tests. But the results are reliable, and you can be confident you didn't catch HIV or viral hepatitis of any type. However, you don't mention urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, nor a syphilis blood test. All these would be good ideas; you should discuss them with your doctor. Most likely they will be negative, but better safe than sorry, right?
As for your "dumbest thing" statement, maybe not so dumb. Of course you should plan on using a condom if and when you have such an exposure in the future. But even without protection, most commercial sexual exposures don't result in any STD.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
One thing to add: the doc did not do ALT or AST test. Instead, he opted for GGT.
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