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Avatar universal

Same question, another test.

Well I know you probably think I'm crazy for paying another $22 dollars to basically ask the same question, but here it goes.

I posted a few weeks back inquiring about ARS symptoms I was having about 2-3 weeks after I had sex with an escort in the Washington, D.C. area. She told me that she was originally from Brazil, but currently lives in Miami Florida. I won't go into the symptoms again, but Dr. Hook did tell me that my concerns about HIV "were appropriate". I know that he also told me that 99% of the people with my symptoms end up not having HIV, but still, my worrying, in my opinion is warranted.

So here's a quick recap of my test results.

2 weeks and 6 days (20 days): a/b screen @ ER = Negative.
5 weeks and 1 day (36 days): HIV 1/2 EIA w/ Reflexes @ PP's office = Negative
8 weeks (56 days): Rapid finger prick test at Planned Parent center here in D.C. = Negative.

are these results conclusive? Do I need to test again at 12 weeks.

The vaginal intercourse I had with this escort was protected. We had sex 3 different times and I used a different condom each time. The oral sex, however, was not protected. She gave me unprotected oral and I performed unprotected cunnilingus on her.

I know I may be overacting, but this whole incident really shook me up. I mean I had the rash, all over the "trunk off my body". Looked exactly like the acute HIV rash pictures I've seen on the internet. I had the white tongue with a very dry mouth. I had the extreme muscle weakness in my whole body, especially my arms and legs, and I did have a fever the night I went to the ER. This all happened about 2-3 weeks after I was with this woman.

So, again, do I need to retest? Is this rapid finger prick test I took at 8 weeks reliable?

Also, I am starting to see a counsel about my anxiety issues, which a-lot of people tell me is my whole problem.
4 Responses
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As Dr. Hook told you, the exposure was very low risk.  Your test resuts are definitive and prove you don't have HIV. That was true even before your latest test.  The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests that exist, for any medical condition.  The results always overrule exposure history and symptoms.  Even if you exposure had been high risk (it was not) or if your symptoms were typical for ARS (they were not), the test results you have had prove you didn't catch HIV. That was true even before your latest test.  (Although official advice is for a final antibody test at 3 months, in fact results are conclusive at 4-8 weeks, depending on the specific test or combination of tests.)  You do not need another test at 12 weeks or any other time.  But since that's the official advice, perhaps you'll want to do it anyway.  It's up to you.  If you do, you can be sure the result will remain negative.

Note that MedHelp permits a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions).  The purpose is to prevent forum domination by few users with anxiety-driven questions.  This being your second in a couple of weeks, it will have to be your last before next October.  Before then, a new question would be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee.

I agree with your friends.  Anxiety indeed is "the whole problem" here.

HHH, MD
Helpful - 2
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I guess I didn't pay enough attention to your symptoms.  They are not atypical for ARS. However, many other minor viral infections cause identical symptoms.  But most important is what I wrote above:

"The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests that exist, for any medical condition.  The results always overrule exposure history and symptoms.  Even if you exposure had been high risk...or if your symptoms were typical for ARS...the test results you have had prove you didn't catch HIV."

This thread is closed to additional comments.  Move on.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dr. Handsfield,  just out of curiosity, you said my symptoms weren't typical of ARS. In my last thread Dr. Hook indicated that they were in terms of symptoms and timing, why the differentiation of opinion?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you. I've definitely learned my lesson from all of this. I appreciate the time of you and Dr. Hook both. Have a good night.
Helpful - 0

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