Aa
Testing beyond 11+weeks
Dear Drs. I posted a few months back about an encounter that concerned me.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/HIV-and-unprotected-vaginal-sex/show/1961964
To date I have had 3 negative antibody tests at 29 days, 50 days, and 80 days. For unprotected vaginal encounters, Dr. Handsfield suggests 6-8 weeks, whereas Dr. Hook suggests 8 weeks for conclusive results. I have seen HIV experts throw around the 8 weeks as conclusive regardless of risk. I realize that I should try to accept my 80 day (11.5 week) result and move on and I am trying to with all my heart. However, I keep noticing these weird rashes that come and go on my arms (only my arms). The first I noticed after my 4 week test and before the 7 week. It went away on it's own in about 10 days. A new one reappeared in the same place another time and then after that went away another couple red patches appeared on my other arm. Then I tested negative at 7 weeks indicating that the rashes were not due to HIV. I went to a clinic and was prescribed some steroid ointment that cured the rashes quickly. About 5 days after my 11.5 week test I had another break out on my left arm, again in the elbow region. I put more steroid cream on the rash and it was gone in a couple days. I really have no idea what these are and why they keep coming and going. Interestingly, I seem to always notice them in the morning when I get out of bed, which makes me think that something is going on while I sleep (e.g. friction, bed bugs, etc.). I also know that stress can cause/aggravate skin conditions. I have also been taking a lot of ibuprofen which may cause rashes.
Apologies for the long note, but I just wanted to ask your thoughts on my 80 antibody test and the recurring red, itchy patches on my arm. I know this cannot be ARS for many reasons, but I also hear that HIV can cause many other rashes. However, am I correct that this usually occurs in late infection anyway? Should I still forget about HIV? Thanks guys.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/HIV-and-unprotected-vaginal-sex/show/1961964
To date I have had 3 negative antibody tests at 29 days, 50 days, and 80 days. For unprotected vaginal encounters, Dr. Handsfield suggests 6-8 weeks, whereas Dr. Hook suggests 8 weeks for conclusive results. I have seen HIV experts throw around the 8 weeks as conclusive regardless of risk. I realize that I should try to accept my 80 day (11.5 week) result and move on and I am trying to with all my heart. However, I keep noticing these weird rashes that come and go on my arms (only my arms). The first I noticed after my 4 week test and before the 7 week. It went away on it's own in about 10 days. A new one reappeared in the same place another time and then after that went away another couple red patches appeared on my other arm. Then I tested negative at 7 weeks indicating that the rashes were not due to HIV. I went to a clinic and was prescribed some steroid ointment that cured the rashes quickly. About 5 days after my 11.5 week test I had another break out on my left arm, again in the elbow region. I put more steroid cream on the rash and it was gone in a couple days. I really have no idea what these are and why they keep coming and going. Interestingly, I seem to always notice them in the morning when I get out of bed, which makes me think that something is going on while I sleep (e.g. friction, bed bugs, etc.). I also know that stress can cause/aggravate skin conditions. I have also been taking a lot of ibuprofen which may cause rashes.
Apologies for the long note, but I just wanted to ask your thoughts on my 80 antibody test and the recurring red, itchy patches on my arm. I know this cannot be ARS for many reasons, but I also hear that HIV can cause many other rashes. However, am I correct that this usually occurs in late infection anyway? Should I still forget about HIV? Thanks guys.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The 4th generation tests (i.e., combination assays for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen) reduce the window period to 4 weeks.
See the thread linked below, which explains the discrepancy between official advice on window periods (often 3 months) and the actual shorter windows, depending on the specific test or combination of tests.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
I don't care whether you accept the scientific, reasoned reassurance you have had or not. But this isn't a debate and I will not discuss it further. You're just going to have to accept the apprently difficult fact that you don't have HIV! Do not over think it, and do not keep asking for additional clarifications. This thread is over -- and please do not start another with still more questions about it.
See the thread linked below, which explains the discrepancy between official advice on window periods (often 3 months) and the actual shorter windows, depending on the specific test or combination of tests.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
I don't care whether you accept the scientific, reasoned reassurance you have had or not. But this isn't a debate and I will not discuss it further. You're just going to have to accept the apprently difficult fact that you don't have HIV! Do not over think it, and do not keep asking for additional clarifications. This thread is over -- and please do not start another with still more questions about it.
Thanks for the comments. I have noticed that test manufacturers claim an approximate window period of 3-4 weeks for 3rd generation assays. I assume the 6 week recommendation is to provide a bit of wiggle room. Also, if I am correct, the 6 week recommendation would cover people who do not produce enough IgM to detect HIV early at about 22 days (as IgG is detectable as soon as about 6 weeks). Many authorities are quite vague and say "some" people require the full 3 months. Is this only immunocompromised individuals or can it be anyone? I know most of this recommendation deals with regulatory issues as I have seen HIV presentations depicting detection of viral markers and the figure only goes out to about 80 days. Apparently 4th generation assays reduce the window by about a week? If these are conclusive at 4 weeks, this would make 3rd generation conclusive at 5 weeks correct?
Perhaps I should have waited until the full 13 weeks for the final test as that would have made me more comfortable. Indeed, I plan to seek counseling in the near future as I am afraid that this experience has turned me off from sex completely. Thanks doctor.
Perhaps I should have waited until the full 13 weeks for the final test as that would have made me more comfortable. Indeed, I plan to seek counseling in the near future as I am afraid that this experience has turned me off from sex completely. Thanks doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As we discussed last time, the chance your partner had HIV is low, and even without testing, the chance you acquired HIV was no higher than 1 in many thousand. You also acknowledged both Dr. Hook's and my advice that testing at 6-8 weeks or later is definitive, and your test at 11+ weeks proves you do not have HIV. You have also acknowledged your own intellectual understanding that you "know this cannot be ARS for many reasons". And it is not true that acute HIV infections "can cause many other rashes". In any case, negative test results always overrule symptoms.
"Should I still forget about HIV?" Yes, you should.
Good luck with it -- HHH, MD
"Should I still forget about HIV?" Yes, you should.
Good luck with it -- HHH, MD
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