6 week negative conclusive?

[robertom]

Upon reading this site i have learned that my risk was probably low (i thought i might have gotten someones blood in a cut i had at work)I tested at 6 weeks (41 days) and recieved a negative. About a week and a half after test i got rashes that would come and go and i had them 4 out of 7 days from the time they started, went to urgent care doc says probably environmental and gave me prednisone. Then this past wednesday i was walking and had a sharp pain in my chest evertime i would breathe and it hurt real bad. Went to er and they took x rays and said everthing looked good i just probably pulled some muscles in my chest or something, well later that night i started to feel kind of sick and thursday i felt like i had body aches and i woke up in the middle of the night with my back being soked and my bed was soked so i emmediatley checked my temp and it was about 99 degrees. Yesterday i felt better but late last night in both my armpits i developed a rash or hives or something. They itched pretty good and there in the same spots in both armpits. They look like red dots and they would kind of sell when i scratch them. I put cordisone on them and it looks like there starting to go away. Throughout all of this i had no other symptoms no fevers the highest i got to was maybe 100 but i would check again in a coulple of minutes and it would be back down. No known other syptoms (symptoms). Do my symptoms sound like HIV. do i need to test again at 12 weeks im scared and need some advice.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My first comment is before I read your question, but based only on the title you chose for this thread.  A negative 6 week test is just about always conclusive.  You don't have HIV.

Now I have read your question.  Guess what?  Nobody gets HIV from contact with blood of the sort you suggest, even with cuts on their hands; your symptoms do not suggest HIV; and yes, your 6 week test is 100% reliable.  I don't know the cause of your symptoms, but the test result proves it isn't HIV.  You don't need further testing.  But you should see your own health care provider and follow his or her advice.

Good luck---  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Of course there is no difference in test reliability at 41 versus 42 days; the data on seroconversion window aren't nearly that precise.

You don't have HIV.  I deleted your new thread.  

[roberto_m]

Thanks doc, sorry if i messd something up for posting a new question. Your words have been real helpful and i will just try and put HIV and all of this out of my mind and behind me forever. thank you