Duo and Flu

[reallyconcerned81]

Hi, Doctor. I need your help. I can't relax. I wrotte almost 4 weeks ago. Taht's the thread's link

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/Broke-condom/show/1822991#post_8405656

Tomorow will be the 28th day after the exposure and I wanna test a DUO. But I have some symptons of flu (I think it's not the influenza). The symptons are: nasal congestion, sneezing and coryza.

My only question is: my health condition increases the odds of a false positive? Can I test tomorow or I have to wait till I get better?

Please, Doctor. I trust in you. Give me this simple answer. I need your help

[reallyconcerned81]

I know you forbid me to comment, but I have to tell and thank you, doctor. The result of the Dua did at the 4th week was negative.

Thank you very much

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There are no medical conditions that affect the reliability of HIV testing, except maybe terminal cancer and other conditions associated with profound immune deficiency.

Your negative PCR is strong evidence you weren't ifnected.  I don't really understnad why you are so worried.

That will end this thread. No more comments, please.

[reallyconcerned81]

Besides the symptons I described I have low fever (37,6ºC) now

[reallyconcerned81]

Sorry, Doctor. You had already answer but I could not read what you wrotte. Now I have you answer, thanks.

One last question, I promisse.

The symptons today are stronger than ysterday. I'm coughing a lot, for example, and I feel really tired. If I have a flu instead of a cold, it would increase the odds of false positive results?

There is one thing you did not know because Dr. EW deleted my post. At the seventh day after my exposure I tested negative (PCR in Real Time)

Thanks

[reallyconcerned81]

I just read your answer now. Thank you very much

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Patience, patience.  Do you imagine the moderators are on call 24/7?  MedHelp standard is to answer questions within 24 hours -- yet you're antsy after 45 minutes!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm sorry to see your somewhat irrational worries about HIV have continued  despite Dr. Hook's strong reassurance that you were not at risk.

You're right -- influenza (flu) does not cause nasal congestion, sneezing, etc.  You caught a cold, nothing more.  It will not interfere with HIV testing in any way.

There won't be any follow-up discussion.  You can expect your duo test to be negative; and there will be no need to post the result.

Please note that MedHelp permits a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions) -- in order to prevent dominance of forums by hyper-anxious questions.  Just a warning so you don't risk a posting fee on a new question before next May that would be deleted without reply.

HHH, MD

[reallyconcerned81]

Doctor, Why can't you give this simple answer. Just say "yes you can test' or "no you can't because the odds of a false positive is higher now".

Please

[reallyconcerned81]

Doctor, please don't ignore me. Tell me if I can test tomorow or if is it better to wais because the results could come positive due my flu (I am also coughing).

Help me doctor.