I just need a little ifo on Late/Delay seroconversion

[starseaker2828]

I will try to be as quick as possible.

I need some straight answers on this subject because i seem to read a lot of mis match information on this subject. On one hand i have seen one of the 2 of you doctors state that Late seroconversion past 12/13 weeks is very rare but when it happens it is unknown the reason why, and had it the other way, Late seroconversion only happens with people who have undergone extreme chemo, organ transplant etc. . I have also heard this from multiple posters and from Mass health department as well.

Is that true that this day in age (not with earlier test that is irrelavent i think) that the only persons that will and can test positive after a negative 3 months test are ONLY people that fall into that category.

I had a 3 negative tests, one at 3 months and would like to get over this but need some straight answers to move on for good. I have settled all other irrational thoughts and am truly ready to move on if it is warranted. Thanks for listening i hope you can help =)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  But I really can't help much.  You correctly interpreted Dr. Hook's and my perspectives, as discussed repeatedly on this forum.  I'm not sure what you mean by "mis match information"; I don't think you'll find any of that on this forum.  The reason the threads remain available is so that people can get the answers they need without having to spend their own posting fee.  I'm afraid you wasted yours; I have nothing to say that you haven't already learned.  With modern HIV tests, delayed seroconversion beyond 3 months is an urban myth; if it happens at all, it is too rare for serious consideration.  You also correctly learned that the reasons some seroconversions are later than others are unknown.  As for advanced immunosuppression or potent chemotherapy, even those effects are theoretical only; I am unaware of any actual reports of delayed seroconversion on that basis.

Your negative test results prove without doubt that you did not catch HIV.  Time to move on.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[starseaker2828]

Please dont misunderstand my posts, i wasnt trying to prove  you wrong at all. I was just trying to clarify if i was misunderstanding the posts thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I glanced only at the first of those 3 threads.  Dr. Hook's comments there are exactly in agreement with mine above, and in any case the serious illness/immunosuppression business is irrelevant to your situation.

I have neither the time nor the interest to read the others or to keep this thread going.  Stop looking for evidence that I am wrong and that you might actually have a chance of having HIV.  You're going to just have to accept the news that you do not. You came here for reassurance which should not have been necessary anyway.  Accept it and move on.  No more comments will be accepted.

[starseaker2828]

Am i just reading those posts incorrectly or is it difference of opinion. I wouldl love your insight on this Doc.

[starseaker2828]

Sorry for the next response but i had found the posts which i was referring to.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Late-Seroconversion/show/640466

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/ELISA-RAPID-ANTIBODY-10-weeks/show/714792

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/please-give-me-as-much-info-as-possible/show/611704

All of which Dr. Hook states the reasons to take longer, thats really my problem. Im not here to cause problems but maybe you both have different opinion on the matter? Thats fine with me i just had seen that and also knew you had said that the reasons are unknown.

Again i apologize for this post but i just found those threads. Thanks doctor.

[starseaker2828]

Thanks for putting that into perspective for me, so i would take it with the mix of me having oral sex, the person saying they had been tested and is negative mixed with 3 negative tests is compared to having a better chance getting hit by a meteor. Your lightning statement def. made me chuckle lol.

Thanks for the follow up.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

When something occurs extremely rarely if at all, why should it matter if the reason isn't known?  Do you worry about why some people get struck by lightning?

You are wasting your emotional energy on smoke and mirrors.  Accept the reassurance you have been given and move on.

That's all for this thread.

[starseaker2828]

Ya....that is pretty much what i gathered, i wish there was a more definitive answer on why someone would take longer, i would hate to be that sorry soul to take longer for no reason ya know? When you say that it is too rare to worry, in your eyes what do you consider rare? And lastly have there been any reported cases of late seroconversion happening in the last10 years or so, to your knowledge?

Thanks.