Are my HIV Tests conclusive from my exposure?

[scaredgrl85]

I had unprotected sex on April 11th of this year. He said he got tested after our encounter and was negative for HIV which would make it 5 1/2 months since his last encounter before me. I don't know how much I can trust that he was telling me the truth of his result. My paps have been normal for the last 2 years up until now. This guy had chlamydia (he later tested positive) and gave it to me. I was tested for gonorrhea, herpes 1/2, hep c/b, syphilis and HIV. I only tested positive for herpes type 1 only because I've had it all my life.
1- Tested for HIV at 6 weeks with the Oral Rapid test-negative
2- Tested for HIV at 8 weeks with the EIA blood test-negative
3- Tested again for HIV at 12 weeks with Oral Rapid test-negative
How accurate are my results? Is it possible that I can test positive later on for HIV since the CDC says it MIGHT take up to 6 months? I know my risk is low because it was one encounter, but he did have chlamydia and I know that increases the risk of HIV transmission. My pap recently came back as abnormal (ASCUS). My gyn did a colposcopy and biopsy and said he didn't see any genital warts and said that my cervix looks very inflamed. My HPV test came back as negative so can I say that my history of HPV has nothing to do with my abnormal pap? Can HIV have something to do with my abnormal pap? Thank You!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

With modern HIV tests, it never takes more than 3 months (and rarely more than 6 weeks) for HIV tests to become positive.  CDC's 6 month advice is partly driven by medicolegal caution, i.e. a CYA attitude.  You can be 100% confident you didn't catch HIV.

ASCUS is so common on paps that it's virtually a normal finding.  The causes in cases not associated with HPV aren't knonw, but most of the time the problem just goes away with repeat pap testing.  The inflammation of your cervix might have something to do with it.  But the biopsy is the gold standard--that result will trump the HPV test and the pap test itself.  Follow your provider's advice for further care, based on the biopsy result.

You don't have HIV, and HIV has nothing at all to do with your pap or biopsy results.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[scaredgrl85]

Thank You so much for your fast reply. I have a history of high risk HPV and had a LEEP done 2 yrs ago, but have had normal paps since until this time, and it's just so ironic that after my encounter it happened. Can I be certain that my abnormal pap has nothing to do with HPV since I tested negative for HPV or can it still come up in the biopsy? I'm guessing it would be useless or I should expect a negative result in 6 months if I re-tested? Have you ever seen a case turn positive after 12 weeks being negative? Thank you for your again, this site truly is wonderful!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

HPV tests are not perfect, so it is possible that your current pap abnormalities are related to your older infection; or to a more recent HPV infection.

I have never seen a single case of HIV infection following the sort of exposure you describe or in someone with your relatively low risk lifestyle.  And I have never seen anyone turn positive at any time after being negative at 6 weeks.  It can happen but is rare.

Thanks for the thanks about the forum.  Take care.

[scaredgrl85]

Hi Dr,

I swear this is my last question, I got my pathology results today but my doctor isn't available to interpret them and I'm just freaking out so much at this point. This is what it stated, I hope you can help me,

1- Squamous lined mucosa showing no significant change scene.
2- Transformation zone not identified.
3- Cervical T Zone biopsy showing squamous metaplasia.
4- Endocervical epithelial fragments and lower uterine segments endometrium with stromal breakdown.

Please if you can help me in any way with this information, I'd truly appreciate it. Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sorry, STD specialists do not routinely interpret pap smears and I'm not an expert in that area.  It looks pretty normal to me, but you'll have to ask the provider who did the test to be sure.

[scaredgrl85]

Hi Doctor,

You've been very kind to me and I truly appreciate all your help. My biopsy came out negative (very happy about that!) but the doctor said that I have chronic cervicitis. He's going to corto the cervix and hopefully all my symptoms will disappear. This is going to sound a little neurotic, but I read that chronic cervicitis can be an indication of HIV infection, do you agree with this? I took HIV out of my head but now it's haunting me again. Please I would appreciate it if you have any advice relating to my situation. Thank You.

[scaredgrl85]

Hi Doctor,

You've been very kind to me and I truly appreciate all your help. My biopsy came out negative (very happy about that!) but the doctor said that I have chronic cervicitis. He's going to corto the cervix and hopefully all my symptoms will disappear. This is going to sound a little neurotic, but I read that chronic cervicitis can be an indication of HIV infection, do you agree with this? I took HIV out of my head but now it's haunting me again. Please I would appreciate it if you have any advice relating to my situation. Thank You.