hiv and its awful window period

[2468no]

Thank you for reading my post. I have been married for 16 yrs and knew my husband and I were hiv negative due to being tested for work. In April hubby and I were having problems and I stepped outside of the marriage and had unprotected sex. I confessed to my husband and he forgave me. He wasn't even worried about hiv. So we continued to have sex unprotected. In May I developed Meralgia Paresthetica in both thighs. I was examined by a neurologist and he gave me the diagnosis of mp. Could mp be a symptom of hiv? In addition I have burning in my arms. My neuro said its because my vitamin d was really low. It was at 11 now its 34. He tested me for all sorts of auto immune disorders and all results were negative. Thats good but it made me think the symptoms I have been experiencing were due to hiv. He decided to check my wbc and it was 19,000. Next thing I knew I was sitting in a Hematology office being tested for leukemia. So not only was I worried about hiv I had to worry about cancer. Results showed no leukemia and my cd4/8 ratio was 5.2. My wbc is still slightly elevated, its 11.

My testing started at 50 days post exposure using an rna by pcr test, next at 88 days post exposure I tested with a third generation antibody test. All test were non reactive. But I was and am still concerned because the cdc says in rare cases it could take six months. That is when I lost my mind and started testing with oraquicks from three months to five months. All tests were negative. Then I had the guy I had an affair with take an oraquick in front of me at four months. His test was negative. Next I had my husband test with an oraquick, his test was also negative.

So here I sit with weird symptoms counting down until my six month mark. I have about 20 days left.

Please help me, please....... Are my results conclusive?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  I'll try to help.

First, in response to the title of your question and your apparent main concern:  the window period isn't nearly as "awful" as you have come to think.  The official advice about a 3 month period to definitive test results, from public health authorities and the HIV test manufacturers, applies only to the HIV antibody tests.  When the combination of direct testing for the virus (p24 antigen or testing for HIV RNAor DNA) is added, the combination of negative results is 100% definitive any time more than 4 weeks after the last possible exposure.  Further, even when only antibody testing is done, 6-8 weeks is generally sufficient -- and the antibody-only results are at least 90% reliable by 4 weeks.  Below is a thread that discussesand explains these issues in detail; as you will see, it contains a link to still another discussion.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/RNA-and-oraquick-swab-test-/show/1891685

In addition, the HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any condition.  Negative results always overrule exposure history and symptoms, no matter how high the risk or how typical the symptoms.

Therefore, the bottom line, and your take-home message, is that your test results are 100% proof you do not have HIV.

I will add that your sexual exposure was obviously zero risk, since your one-time partner has had a negative HIV test, showing for sure he didn't have HIV at the time of your dalliance with him.  As for your symptoms, I have never heard of meralgia paresthetica -- but I looked it up, and clearly there is no reason to be concerned it might be caused by HIV.  In any case, your HIV test results show it is not.

I'm sorry you have had a misunderstanding of the window period and the reliability of all the tests that have been done -- both yours and your one-time partner's.  Your first negative result at 50 days proved you didn't have HIV -- and even that could have been done about 3 weeks earlier.  Continue to work with your doctor about your MP, vitamin D levels, and WBC count, but you can stop worrying about HIV.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

An echo from TheBody.com and Dr. Bob Frascino, I think -- rest his soul.

Thanks for the thanks.  Take care.

[2468no]

THANK YOU! Hearing I am 100% negative has given me a new outlook on life and how lucky I am to have dodge a bullet. Before reading your post I thought I wasted my money on the RNA test, but now I am delighted I had one. I was not aware of the rna test and antibody test combined equal 100% assurance of an hiv negative status. I can finally stop buying oraquicks!

So even if my one time partners oraquick test showed a false negative I am still in the clear because I had the rna at 50 days  and antibody test at 88 days.

I would like to  say this is a Woo Hoo- able Moment!!!