Reactive Arthritis Window Period

[rooster2k1]

For Dr Hansfield, does Reactive Arthritis delay secroconversion, as it is an auto immune disorder?
Heres my situation
I had 1 time unprotected vaginal sex (2min), exactly 3 months later almost to the day, I developed arthritis in my hip and inflammation in my epididymitis. Two-2.5 weeks after the onset of this (total 14-15weeks after the episode), I tested at a HIV clinic using the unigold rapid test and then they send it off to a hospital for another eliza test. Both were negative. I have read so much (on the internet, big mistake) about Reactive arthritis and Hiv and it has me scared.
1. Would this disorder affect the window period (delay secrocoversion?)?
2. Can I rely on my results ( they said at the clinic it was conclusive but they were unaware of my disorder because it was diagnosised until a month later after I had the rest of the symptoms)
Thank you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You have misread my "previous posts".  If I ever said it was theoretically possible (I do not believe I did), I certainly qualified it to say it's theory only, not known to be true.

I have not changed my mind in the past hour. Your 3.5 month test result is 100% valid.  Presumably you came to this forum for reassurance.  I gave it.  Stop trying to talk me (and yourself) into believing you might have HIV.  You do not.  Let it go.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No medications are known to alter the reliability of HIV tests or delay seroconversion. Very advanced illness (near terminal cancer, AIDS) and potent (cancer-type) chemotherapy and high dose steroids are often stated as problems in this area, but this is mostly by assumption that it could happen -- not, to my knowledge, that it actually does.  In any case, there is no reason to suppose that people with reactive arthritis would have any such effect.  Your negative test result is reliable.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I haven't a clue who Nancy Lane and in a quick medical literatures search I do not find such a person who has published anything about HIV.  I do not believe the comment as you quote it.  People with HIV probably are at somewhat increased risk for reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's syndrome).  That does not mean that people with RA have a higher risk of HIV.  They do not.  And your test results remain reliable.

You seriously need to drop this.  Get off the web.  I'll bet you have spent hours looking for information to prove to yourself that you really have HIV, against all rationality.  Look how long it took you to find this one tentative clue that in fact means nothing.

Let it go.  Get counseling if you cannot.  I will have no further comments.  This thread is over.

[rooster2k1]

Hello, sorry one last follow up question then Im done, Nancy Lane Md posted this in 1998 about reiters syndrome and hiv and I dont understand what she meant, and this comment is creating a lot of confusion (if you look on other hiv forums people qoute it, and ask the same question I asked about the window period) here it is

"The clinical manifestations of Reiter's syndrome either occur along with or, most commonly, follow the onset of clinically apparent immunodeficiency. In those patients in whom Reiter's syndrome precedes clinical evidence of immunodeficiency, a period of up to 2 years may elapse before HIV infection becomes clinically apparent."

Is she implying that you wont test positive for up to 2 years, or that you wont have apparent evidence of hiv infection.

[rooster2k1]

Ok, so the tests at 3.5 months are conclusive?
Im just really concerned because its an immune disorder and in previos posts you have said immune disorder theorteically could have an affect? Also would having reactive arthritis help the tests because the antibodies would be reactiving to the HIV if I had it? Thanks again