Aa
possible exposure. Please respond.
Hello Doc, I had unprotected oral sex with a csw 6 weeks ago. I did not have any anal sex only protected vaginal sex. i did not use a condom for receptive oral sex. i did not go down on her either. However, i did realise that the woman was using needles, drugs etc.
Lost weight since (5-8 pounds), mild rash on face on and off. Lost my apetite completely from week one. Tested for all std’s with (rapid screenings / labcorp is where I got the tests done). Took the pcr rna and standard antibody at 11 days and 35 days. Tested positive for herpes 1 & 2.
Concerns: 11th day i got a rash on left of stomach above the waist, around I cm, crusted spots. Was it the herpes?
2. day 40 I have a node on the base of my neck pea sized went to a doctor and have been on meds for 4 days now. Sore throat, cough, and some lose stools. went to a walk in clinic and the doctor has seen an infection in my throat and put me on meds(cefacol/cingulair). could it be Hiv related? Also have had constant back numbnes (upper right side).
1. Could i have taken the pcr and antibody test a week early and hence it missed picking up something at 5 weeks? Also how reliable is the PCR at 5 weeks? Most people suggest 6 weeks.
2. could the herpes rash that appeared on 10th day appear on my stomach over the waist? Was it the stress that bought it out?
3. The node in my neck, (my biggest worry) how long could it stay for if it is the ars symptom? Would there be some other symptoms associated with it as well? I do not have any trouble swallowing.
4. I have never had night sweats either just some loose stools occasionally. But since I have been on meds i have had a pain in my stomach before I have to pass stools. Are the meds causing this?
5. Finally doctor, people do not seem to take the pcr test seriously for hiv diagonisis. however, the councelors at the screenig site can swear it is almost positive at 11days let alone the 35 day? is that correct? Do i need further testing?
Lost weight since (5-8 pounds), mild rash on face on and off. Lost my apetite completely from week one. Tested for all std’s with (rapid screenings / labcorp is where I got the tests done). Took the pcr rna and standard antibody at 11 days and 35 days. Tested positive for herpes 1 & 2.
Concerns: 11th day i got a rash on left of stomach above the waist, around I cm, crusted spots. Was it the herpes?
2. day 40 I have a node on the base of my neck pea sized went to a doctor and have been on meds for 4 days now. Sore throat, cough, and some lose stools. went to a walk in clinic and the doctor has seen an infection in my throat and put me on meds(cefacol/cingulair). could it be Hiv related? Also have had constant back numbnes (upper right side).
1. Could i have taken the pcr and antibody test a week early and hence it missed picking up something at 5 weeks? Also how reliable is the PCR at 5 weeks? Most people suggest 6 weeks.
2. could the herpes rash that appeared on 10th day appear on my stomach over the waist? Was it the stress that bought it out?
3. The node in my neck, (my biggest worry) how long could it stay for if it is the ars symptom? Would there be some other symptoms associated with it as well? I do not have any trouble swallowing.
4. I have never had night sweats either just some loose stools occasionally. But since I have been on meds i have had a pain in my stomach before I have to pass stools. Are the meds causing this?
5. Finally doctor, people do not seem to take the pcr test seriously for hiv diagonisis. however, the councelors at the screenig site can swear it is almost positive at 11days let alone the 35 day? is that correct? Do i need further testing?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
What alienshadow said. The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice. Move on. That's all for this thread.
Thanks for your response Dr. Hunt, and i do appreciate your time, it is very dificult to get straight answers to concerns of std's hiv infections wherever i look and you have been great help.
However i do have a few more questions as i could not mention all due to limited writing options in message.
1. The rash that i got above the waist on the left of my stomach, i had shown it to the doctor at the clinic, now i know she was not an std expert but she took a look at it and said it was herpes. she also prescribed valtrex for it. she aslo said it was on the healing process as the spots within the rash were crusted over. Also the councellors at the test center said i could not have got herpes from that perticular encounter as herpes could not be detected only 11 days past exposure. Why would you say it is not herpes?
2. after we performed unprotected oral sex. i put on the condom and had protected vaginal sex. However for a breif peroid i lost erection. she once again gave me oral sex for a few minutes condom was on. never came off.
My question doctor is if my sex would not have been protected and i was at a high risk case. would you still maintain that the "The combination of negative antibody and PCR tests at 5 weeks is 100% proof I didn't catch HIV. PCR normally is positive within 2 weeks". im just questioning the authenticity of the pcr test.
However i do have a few more questions as i could not mention all due to limited writing options in message.
1. The rash that i got above the waist on the left of my stomach, i had shown it to the doctor at the clinic, now i know she was not an std expert but she took a look at it and said it was herpes. she also prescribed valtrex for it. she aslo said it was on the healing process as the spots within the rash were crusted over. Also the councellors at the test center said i could not have got herpes from that perticular encounter as herpes could not be detected only 11 days past exposure. Why would you say it is not herpes?
2. after we performed unprotected oral sex. i put on the condom and had protected vaginal sex. However for a breif peroid i lost erection. she once again gave me oral sex for a few minutes condom was on. never came off.
My question doctor is if my sex would not have been protected and i was at a high risk case. would you still maintain that the "The combination of negative antibody and PCR tests at 5 weeks is 100% proof I didn't catch HIV. PCR normally is positive within 2 weeks". im just questioning the authenticity of the pcr test.
Sorry ghostrider you need to move on and your last test would be my last. You will be lucky if Dr. Handsfield dosent delete this thread. India is informed on the HIV testing methods so there testing would be legit. MOVE ON buddy
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is a waste of your time and mine. You have already been maximally reassured, and were told in no uncertain terms you did not catch HIV and do not need further testing. Any more comments and I will delete the entire thread. And please do not start a new thread either; it also would be deleted without response.
Hello doctor,
sorry if im bothering you againg, i promise it's the last time.
I took another antibody test (ELISA) at 71 days (which was negative again). However, i took it while i was visiting India.
The node (just one) that was bothering me in my neck is still there. I have been diagonised with bronchitis and sinusitis as well. have you ever come across these to be hiv related symptoms. could they have caused the node and throat infection earlier?
1. How reliable would the test be in a country like India. Also it cost me almost nothing to get tested around $4. Could i trust the result?
2. I have read you saying that someone cannot have a node related with hiv and then test negative for it. if so, what could be causing this node in my neck to be there for more that 6 weeks.
I just wanted your re-assurance as i do not want to get re-tested again and again.
Thanks again.
PS. alienshadow i will see you in the members forum for your kind advice.
sorry if im bothering you againg, i promise it's the last time.
I took another antibody test (ELISA) at 71 days (which was negative again). However, i took it while i was visiting India.
The node (just one) that was bothering me in my neck is still there. I have been diagonised with bronchitis and sinusitis as well. have you ever come across these to be hiv related symptoms. could they have caused the node and throat infection earlier?
1. How reliable would the test be in a country like India. Also it cost me almost nothing to get tested around $4. Could i trust the result?
2. I have read you saying that someone cannot have a node related with hiv and then test negative for it. if so, what could be causing this node in my neck to be there for more that 6 weeks.
I just wanted your re-assurance as i do not want to get re-tested again and again.
Thanks again.
PS. alienshadow i will see you in the members forum for your kind advice.
ghostrider111
What more do you expect Dr. Hansfield to say? If you would read the fine print you would see he has already answered your questions I dont think he will reanswer you.
Seek Mental Help .
What more do you expect Dr. Hansfield to say? If you would read the fine print you would see he has already answered your questions I dont think he will reanswer you.
Seek Mental Help .
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You had accurate responses to this question on the HIV community forum. There was no realistic risk you caught HIV and you did not need testing at all. But the combination of low risk plus your test results provide absolute proof you didn't catch HIV. In addition, essentially identical questions have been asked and answered innumerable times on this forum. Thus, very brief answers; scan existing threads and archives for more detailed discussions.
1,5) The counselors were correct. The combination of negative antibody and PCR tests at 5 weeks is 100% proof you didn't catch HIV. PCR normally is positive within 2 weeks. You were not tested too early.
2) Such a rash almost certainly wasn't herpes, both from the description of the rash and its location.
3,4 ) Symptoms never are useful indicators of new HIV infections, because so many other things, all more common than HIV, cause the same symptoms. Your symptoms don't suggest HIV anyway.
Bottom line: You can relax. You didn't catch HIV. You do not need further testing.
Regards-- HHH, MD
1,5) The counselors were correct. The combination of negative antibody and PCR tests at 5 weeks is 100% proof you didn't catch HIV. PCR normally is positive within 2 weeks. You were not tested too early.
2) Such a rash almost certainly wasn't herpes, both from the description of the rash and its location.
3,4 ) Symptoms never are useful indicators of new HIV infections, because so many other things, all more common than HIV, cause the same symptoms. Your symptoms don't suggest HIV anyway.
Bottom line: You can relax. You didn't catch HIV. You do not need further testing.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
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