confused and scared about risks

[seekinginfo526]

Hello.  I have searched and re-searched the forum and the web, but have become more confused about what I should do.  I was tested at 7 weeks (the labcorp results said it was an ICMA abs test) and it was negative.  The impetus for this test was that I had 1-2 mins of unprotected vaginal sex with a girl I didn't know very well.  After that we used a condom.  This was 11/24/08.  She was not a sex worker - she was 25 and a graduate student, or so she said - I haven't had anything more than email contact with her since then.  In December, I became sick with a cold, and eventually got on Levaquin for 10 days for bronchitis.

One reason for my question is that today I called a local infectious disease physicians group in my area (I'm in the US) and attempted to make an appointment so I could simply talk to a specialist about what I should do.  The nurse essentially would not make an appointment for me and said 1) the window period is really 'just a day' (?) and 2) given my 7-week result, they would recommend testing at 4 months and then at 6 months, so there wouldn't be much point to me coming in.

I have been worried sick for all of 2009, and it is clouding my judgment.  I also wonder if my being asthmatic could at all influence test results (immune-related, that kind of things).  
Thanks in advance.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Relax.  You are overthinking things and have spent far too much energy trying to search for answers.  The facts are that the exposure you describe carried extremely low risk of HIV anyway, because the chance a woman like you describe has HIV is close to zero and a single episode of vaginal sex carries only about one chance in transmitting HIV, even if she had it.  Second, the ID office was being hyper-conservative; with modern HIV tests, the large majority of newly infected people have positive antibody test results by 7 weeks and testing any later than that is not necessary in situations like yours.  (You undoubtedly misunderstood the nurse about a one-day incubation period.)  Getting a cold means nothing; that's all it was, a cold.  (ARS does not cause cold or bronchitis symptoms.)

You really didn't need HIV testing at all, but you can rely 100% on the results you had.  You aren't infected.  Move on.  Stop searching online or anywhere else for any additional information.  And please start using condoms for non-monogamous sexual encounters.

I'm not going to entertain any "yes but" or "what if" follow-up comments.  There is nothing you can add that could change my opinion or advice.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

From my last reply:  "I'm not going to entertain any 'yes but' or 'what if' follow-up comments.  There is nothing you can add that could change my opinion or advice."

That still applies.  None of the additional information makes the slightest difference.  Let it go.  If you cannot, it indicates a likely need for professional counseling.

This thread is over.

[seekinginfo526]

Doctor - I'm sorry - I am worried that maybe I omitted details in my question.  I know your time is limited, but I wanted to clarify something with you because I was so nervous asking the question that I fear I left out possibly pertinent info.  I apologize in advance if these really are just yes but or what ifs.  There were a total of 3 acts of intercourse in this case I'm asking about, only one of which was without a condom for about 1-2 minutes, that being the one in my initial question.  I also performed oral sex on her for probably a minute total.  At the time of my test at 7 weeks, I was taking Advair, Levaquin, Omnaris (nasal steroid for allergies), and Klonopin for anxiety.  I am circumcised and prior to this event, I had not been sexually active for over a year, and that had been in a long-term monogamous relationship.  I requested herpes and syphilis tests - all negative as well, if that pertains.
- Does any of this change your opinion or recommendation?  (i.e. should i go back at 12 weeks? or is it 13 weeks?)
- Am I correct that even the combination of drugs I was on would not affect the test?

once again - I'm sorry if I am rehashing things, and followed your orders not to search elsewhere, but was concerned I didn't disclose everything in retrospect.  I very much value your time and expertise and came to your forum upon the recommendation of a friend who attended UW med school.

[seekinginfo526]

Thank you so much, Dr. your expertise is so appreciated.