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HIV concern question in regards to testing and symptoms
At the end of July I exposed myself to a girl who's HIV status is unknown. I had the briefest of brief exposure which lasted maybe 2 seconds, nor was a fully insterted (Vaginal). A risk is a risk. I tested with a ELISA at 7 weeks, and 11 weeks. Unable to get over myself I tested again which would be 14.5 weeks and that was a 3rd generation antibody test that came back non reactive. I can't seem to get over this HIV phobia. I constantly think I have HIV. This week which is about 5 months I got a cold which freaked me out. Now for 4 months I've have swollen glands, causing me to freak out the most. Swollen lymphnodes in the neck to be more exact. Is a 6 month repeat necessary? This has kept me up at night. I had classic ARS symptoms 6 weeks after exposure (diahrrea, swollen lymphnodes, kind of sore throat(went away with NyQuil), headaches, night sweats). I've read recently that stand alone HIV antibody tests aren't as accurate as with a duo. By that I mean that there was a post regarding delayed seroconversion on here,
And stated on there was that if there was any delayed seroconversion, then it would
Be from a standalone HIV antibody test. This concerns me so much, so please someone explain this to me. Do I need to retest at 6 months? Is my 3.5 month HIV test accurate? Can I put this to rest, and continue relations with my
Girlfriend? (she's a virgin, being why I'm so terrified). Thanks so much
And stated on there was that if there was any delayed seroconversion, then it would
Be from a standalone HIV antibody test. This concerns me so much, so please someone explain this to me. Do I need to retest at 6 months? Is my 3.5 month HIV test accurate? Can I put this to rest, and continue relations with my
Girlfriend? (she's a virgin, being why I'm so terrified). Thanks so much
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is absolutely no basis for being "afraid of passing HIV" to your sex partner(s). Best wishes for rewarding (and responsible) relationship(s).
Thank you yet again. I hope I can now resume relations and not be afraid of passing HIV around.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I suggest no further testing. Certainly I wouldn't do it if I were in your shoes, and I would be having regular unprotected sex with my wife (beginning 8 weeks ago, after my negative 6 week test).
There is no such thing as HIV "hiding", i.e. with negative blood tests.
You may not keep returning with every additional "what if" or "yes but" question that comes to mind. Trust me on this: you don't have HIV; and there is no additional information you can possibly provide that would change my opinions or advice. So that should end this thread.
There is no such thing as HIV "hiding", i.e. with negative blood tests.
You may not keep returning with every additional "what if" or "yes but" question that comes to mind. Trust me on this: you don't have HIV; and there is no additional information you can possibly provide that would change my opinions or advice. So that should end this thread.
Being in my shoes is great with a 14.5 week HIV test, as a doctor you would not further suggest any testing is what I'm getting correct? My personal doctor knows little to nothing about HIV, he recommends 4 week antibody tests as accurate and saw no reason for a test after my 7 week one. So turning to you is about as good as it'll get for me. I am tomorrow getting x-rays for any signs of lymphoma (I have had small swollen lymphnodes in my neck for 4 months now). I was more worried that the underlying condition is not lymphoma. It's just HIV, hiding. Can this not happen as well? I'm sorry for the questions but to me this seems very logical.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
With the modern HIV tests universally used today, delayed seroconversion is an urban myth or close to it. I am unaware of any confirmed cases.
Recurrent cold symptoms do not suggest HIV or any other immune deficiency. All is well; don't let your apparent anxieties over a sexual exposure you regret color all your thinking about it. You seem to be suffering some emotional consequences of it, but there are no medical ones.
Recurrent cold symptoms do not suggest HIV or any other immune deficiency. All is well; don't let your apparent anxieties over a sexual exposure you regret color all your thinking about it. You seem to be suffering some emotional consequences of it, but there are no medical ones.
Okay thanks doctor. It's just my worse fear, considering I'm just now getting over a cold it freaked me out again. I just need to know that I'm 100% in the clear. I hear and read so much about people talking about delayed seroconversion, it just freaks me out. But that's not real right?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As I said, the chance she has HIV is low; it's a matter of interpretation whether she was "lying" if she truly believes she doesn't have it. But it wouldn't matter if she did. Your test results show you didn't catch it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'm happy to help. For sure you don't have HIV.
The important information in your question -- really the only information that makes any difference -- is your test results. When modern HIV tests are done sufficiently long after the last possible exposure to the virus, the results always overrule all other factors like exposure history and symptoms. Even if you had a very high risk exposure (you didn't) or if your symptoms were typical for an acute HIV infection (they aren't), your negative test results prove for sure you didn't catch HIV. It is impossible to be infected and to have negative ELISA results at 7, 11, and 14 weeks. The duo test (for both antibody and p24 antigen) are indeed more senstive when done before 6 weeks. After that, the stand-alone antibody tests are equally accurate.
And your symptoms are definitely not "classic ARS symptoms". Not only are the symptoms themselves not typical, but the timing is impossible. ARS cannot start more than 2-3 weeks after catching the virus. And as I said, the exposure you describe was very low risk. It is statistically unlikely your partner had HIV, and even if she did, the fleeting exposure you describe is exceedingly unlikely to have resulted in HIV transmission.
So you definitely can put your concerns to rest. If I had been in your situation, I never would have stopped having unprotecte sex with your wife, and you certainly can and should resume relations with your girlfriend. There is no point in another HIV test at 6 months or any other time. If your obsession with the possibilty of having HIV (your self described phobia) continues, the next step should be professional counseling about it -- not further HIV testing.
I hope this has helped. Good luck-- HHH, MD
The important information in your question -- really the only information that makes any difference -- is your test results. When modern HIV tests are done sufficiently long after the last possible exposure to the virus, the results always overrule all other factors like exposure history and symptoms. Even if you had a very high risk exposure (you didn't) or if your symptoms were typical for an acute HIV infection (they aren't), your negative test results prove for sure you didn't catch HIV. It is impossible to be infected and to have negative ELISA results at 7, 11, and 14 weeks. The duo test (for both antibody and p24 antigen) are indeed more senstive when done before 6 weeks. After that, the stand-alone antibody tests are equally accurate.
And your symptoms are definitely not "classic ARS symptoms". Not only are the symptoms themselves not typical, but the timing is impossible. ARS cannot start more than 2-3 weeks after catching the virus. And as I said, the exposure you describe was very low risk. It is statistically unlikely your partner had HIV, and even if she did, the fleeting exposure you describe is exceedingly unlikely to have resulted in HIV transmission.
So you definitely can put your concerns to rest. If I had been in your situation, I never would have stopped having unprotecte sex with your wife, and you certainly can and should resume relations with your girlfriend. There is no point in another HIV test at 6 months or any other time. If your obsession with the possibilty of having HIV (your self described phobia) continues, the next step should be professional counseling about it -- not further HIV testing.
I hope this has helped. Good luck-- HHH, MD
Found out a few weeks ago as well that she lied about knowing her status. She claims to know that she is non infected, but she has never been tested. Her "claim" is purely off that everyone she has had sex with had been someone she was dating
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