A night I want to forget

[Bond00823]

Doctor, I have a concern. I will keep it brief. Had unprotected vaginal/oral encounter with female escort, not very expensive, 10 weeks ago. I was worried because she is african american and found out they are a "high risk" group from the CDC.

I had the following tests done:

1.) PCR DNA test/ ELISA - 19 days- Negative

2.) Antibody- 25 days Negative

3.) Rapid Test- 44 days- Negative

4.) PCR DNA Test- 46 days Negative

5.) Elisa Test- 60 days- Negative

6.) Rapid Test- 64 days- Negative

I want to rely on these results, but I had these flu like symptoms with a rash, that is on my chest and comes and goes. This rash has been here for a 6 weeks. It comes and goes.

1.) Would my testing rule out HIV?

2.) Would the DNA PCR Test have been positive if I was going though the acute stage?

3.) Do I need to see an HIV Specialist?

4.) Do I need any other confirmatory testing?

I find your advice reliable, and appreciate the work you do on this forum. Thank you very much.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I don't know where you got the impression that CDC classifies Mexican Americans as being at particularly high risk for HIV.  You misread or misinterpreted something.

What a waste of money, time and energy to have had all the tests you did.  You probably didn't need testing at all except for peace of mind; if so, a single standard antibody test at 6 weeks or so would have been sufficient.

1) Your test results are 100% reliable.  You don't have H IV.  2) Yes, but irrelevant.  3) No, or course not. 4) You have had multiple confirmatory tests already and do not need more testing.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Much Needed Help]

Dr. H, he indicated he was with an African American woman, not a Mexican American woman.  

I have also seen indications that African Americans have a higher rate, but more men, than women?

[Bond00823]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[skerdstraght68]

for a "not very expensive" escort you sure made the experience expensive.  The testing 4 days apart and the DNA test is almost comical.  Move on and stay away from **** you can't deal with.

[anxietyX5]

doesn't seroconversion illness come between 2-4 weeks, and only last up to 2 weeks? the reason why I ask is because she says that her symptoms lasted up to 6 weeks. Can systematic stage start as soon as 10 weeks?

[Ronnie99]

I think the original poster is a "he" not a "she".....

[anxietyX5]

sorry I got that confused, dr HHH how soon or how late can people start getting symptoms from hiv in the symptomatic stage?

[skerdstraght68]

2-4 weeks if they even have symtoms.  I doubt symptoms come on later than 6 weeks.

[Bond00823]

Well I had symptoms come on about 2 weeks after the incident. But, the chills and rash on my chest lasted for 8 weeks. I know the acute stage begins 2-4 weeks after an incident and the average length being 2 weeks. But can the length of symptoms that linger be 6 weeks? so can I be seroconverting for that long. I have a question about LabCorp? Do they use modern Elisa tests? Are Labsafe and Private MD labs reputable companies to have tests done?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional quesitons are irrelevant; the testing have had proves you did not acquire HIV and that HIV did not explain your symptoms.  All HIV tests on the market are always positive within 6 weeks and all labs, especially reputable ones like LabCorp, use the most modern assays.

It's time to start worrying about things that have a greater chance of harming you, like being hit by lightning (which literally is more likely than the chance you have HIV).

HHH, MD