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Please Help? What's my risk? When can I stop testing?
Dear Dr. H
I am a hetero sexual male 33. I am married but strayed a couple of times in the last 3 months. My last exposure was 7 weeks ago, me giving anal sex to a girl without protection, who said she had been tested and was negative, I am still in touch with her. I was inside her for about 5 mins or more before coming to my senses, withdrawing and washing.
My second last exposure sex was with a girl (student) when the condom broke, but I carried on unaware. This girl had also tested and was negative on ELISA/qualitative PCR after 12 weeks after our exposure.
Anyway the GP I saw straight after my last exposure (48hrs) possibly misinterpreted my exposure risk and offered a basic PEP regime (duovir) and I went on it just to be on the safe side. My baseline ELISA was negative.
Another Dr. (a dermatologist) recommended a PCR RT Quantitative test, 2 weeks after which surprisingly came as positive with 25,000 copies. This is where my nightmare started. I had also given a second sample of blood (4 days after) to the same lab. After receiving the result still in a state of shock, I went to a different lab to have the same test done about 6 days after the first sample was given. Based on the first unconfirmed result, having a high viral count I was also put on ARVs by the same Dr.
The lab that did the initial PCR, (I deduced later) found that the results of the first blood sample and the second sample were not matching and requested me to give a third sample 7 days after the first sample was given. Both of the two subsequent tests were not detectable i.e. negative. The lab, to make sure, also did a rapid immunocomb test and western blot test. It then said the first test was false, and admitted to their mistake but couldn't explain adequately where the mistake had occurred, most likely in the handling of the sample or interpretation. The PCR RT test at the second lab was also negative.
I was pretty distraught and saw an expert in the field of HIV. He recommended a DNA Proviral Qualitative test. I also got this done (3 weeks after the exposure) at the lab that had made the original mistake, this was also negative. I confirmed this with the pathologist there who had taken a personal interest in my case.
This Dr was very encouraged but said that I should continue with the ARVs until 6 weeks post exposure, and stop after ELISA test is negative. This was because he did not want to lose the efficacy of the ARVs just in case I had the virus.
6 weeks after my exposure, my HIV 1,2 p24 test came negative. I also sent a sample for another PCR DNA qualitative test which also was negative, the lab again had run PCR RT, Immucomb rapid and western blot test as backups, as a favour to me, all negative.
I now have stopped ARVs, I still suffer from anxiety, also fear that with no ARVs or PEP, I am now seroconverting, suffering from mouth ulcers and sore throat. I don't have fever or rashes, but do get stiff neck and upper body muscle pains.
I am a hetero sexual male 33. I am married but strayed a couple of times in the last 3 months. My last exposure was 7 weeks ago, me giving anal sex to a girl without protection, who said she had been tested and was negative, I am still in touch with her. I was inside her for about 5 mins or more before coming to my senses, withdrawing and washing.
My second last exposure sex was with a girl (student) when the condom broke, but I carried on unaware. This girl had also tested and was negative on ELISA/qualitative PCR after 12 weeks after our exposure.
Anyway the GP I saw straight after my last exposure (48hrs) possibly misinterpreted my exposure risk and offered a basic PEP regime (duovir) and I went on it just to be on the safe side. My baseline ELISA was negative.
Another Dr. (a dermatologist) recommended a PCR RT Quantitative test, 2 weeks after which surprisingly came as positive with 25,000 copies. This is where my nightmare started. I had also given a second sample of blood (4 days after) to the same lab. After receiving the result still in a state of shock, I went to a different lab to have the same test done about 6 days after the first sample was given. Based on the first unconfirmed result, having a high viral count I was also put on ARVs by the same Dr.
The lab that did the initial PCR, (I deduced later) found that the results of the first blood sample and the second sample were not matching and requested me to give a third sample 7 days after the first sample was given. Both of the two subsequent tests were not detectable i.e. negative. The lab, to make sure, also did a rapid immunocomb test and western blot test. It then said the first test was false, and admitted to their mistake but couldn't explain adequately where the mistake had occurred, most likely in the handling of the sample or interpretation. The PCR RT test at the second lab was also negative.
I was pretty distraught and saw an expert in the field of HIV. He recommended a DNA Proviral Qualitative test. I also got this done (3 weeks after the exposure) at the lab that had made the original mistake, this was also negative. I confirmed this with the pathologist there who had taken a personal interest in my case.
This Dr was very encouraged but said that I should continue with the ARVs until 6 weeks post exposure, and stop after ELISA test is negative. This was because he did not want to lose the efficacy of the ARVs just in case I had the virus.
6 weeks after my exposure, my HIV 1,2 p24 test came negative. I also sent a sample for another PCR DNA qualitative test which also was negative, the lab again had run PCR RT, Immucomb rapid and western blot test as backups, as a favour to me, all negative.
I now have stopped ARVs, I still suffer from anxiety, also fear that with no ARVs or PEP, I am now seroconverting, suffering from mouth ulcers and sore throat. I don't have fever or rashes, but do get stiff neck and upper body muscle pains.
I would like your confirmation that I am all right before my thread goes of the main page.
Elisa with P24 at week 17 nonreactive
Week 19 PCR Qualatative, PCR Quatitative, Western Blot, Immunocomb, all negative
Week 19 PCR Qualatative, PCR Quatitative, Western Blot, Immunocomb, all negative
Elisa test at week 16 - nonreactive
14 week test - nonreactive
Blood test at 13 week mark, same as above, nonreactive.
Blood test at 11.5 week after my potential exposure - non reactive. The test was 3rd gen I think - HIV1, HIV2 & P24.
Ora Quick HIV1/2 at the 11th week mark negative
Dear Dr HHH
Your forum has been immensely helpful to me, thank you.
I had a HIV rapid test done at the 10 week mark it was negative.
Your forum has been immensely helpful to me, thank you.
I had a HIV rapid test done at the 10 week mark it was negative.
I just got my 8 week HIV 1,2 P24 Combo test back, it was nonreactive. My symptoms have subsided somewhat.
Well Dr.H it seems like I will lose the bet, hope it is true. Thank you for all the great work you do.
I just hope that one day I will get over my fears.
Well Dr.H it seems like I will lose the bet, hope it is true. Thank you for all the great work you do.
I just hope that one day I will get over my fears.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"If I remember correctly my Dr. (the HIV specialist) gave me the standard, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year testing recommendation. But he did say 6 weeks test is reliable, similar to what you have been saying." I don't know why you don't find that information reassuring. I have nothing to add.
"I will perhaps be the first person on this Forum to seroconvert after 6 weeks." I would bet my house at the roulette wheel against it.
This is my last reply on this thread.
HHH, MD
"I will perhaps be the first person on this Forum to seroconvert after 6 weeks." I would bet my house at the roulette wheel against it.
This is my last reply on this thread.
HHH, MD
Thank you for your reply. (And You for your comments)
I am just going out of my mind, suffering from all the symptoms of acute infection, sore throat, mouth ulsers, fever flushes, headaches.
I realy feel that the PEP and ARVs I have been taking for the last 6 weeks have stuffed up my testing.
If I remember correctly my Dr. (the HIV specialist) gave me the standard, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year testing recommendation. But he did say 6 weeks test is reliable, similar to what you have been saying.
At another forum I was told a 3 months test would be definitive. I hope I can survive for that long.
Again your opinion would be helpful?
I am just going out of my mind, suffering from all the symptoms of acute infection, sore throat, mouth ulsers, fever flushes, headaches.
I realy feel that the PEP and ARVs I have been taking for the last 6 weeks have stuffed up my testing.
If I remember correctly my Dr. (the HIV specialist) gave me the standard, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year testing recommendation. But he did say 6 weeks test is reliable, similar to what you have been saying.
At another forum I was told a 3 months test would be definitive. I hope I can survive for that long.
Again your opinion would be helpful?
I will perhaps be the first person on this Forum to seroconvert after 6 weeks. Either way I will keep you posted.
7 weeks after last exposure and assuming no furhter exposure- a test at this point would be reliable and you would know-I don't know all the differences between all the testing you went through, but the DOC here will tellyou that at 6 weeks a test is highly reliable-and if you want more another at 12 weeks for sure-
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It seems clear you didn't even need HIV testing, let alone PEP. You are a poster boy for the reason that most experts, including me, do not order PCR tests on people following low risk exposures, i.e. the potential for false positive results.
However, I cannot help further. I am not an HIV treatment expert and do not know the extent to which PEP might delay seroconversion. I believe it is not a risk, and that therefore your 6 week negative test results are reliable. But you should rely on the advice of the doc who prescribed PEP. If that person recommends further testing, follow his/her advice.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
However, I cannot help further. I am not an HIV treatment expert and do not know the extent to which PEP might delay seroconversion. I believe it is not a risk, and that therefore your 6 week negative test results are reliable. But you should rely on the advice of the doc who prescribed PEP. If that person recommends further testing, follow his/her advice.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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