Exposure in Cameroon: Very scared: Plz help

Hello Doctor,
              My story is very sad. Actually I went to Cameroon few months ago for work purpose. There I hired one black prostitute  and had sex(3-4 months ago). But the sad part is I was so drunk that my condom broke and went on for several minutes without a condom as it slipped also first time. I and she performed oral sex also and this went on the whole night. The biggest mistake of my life, I had sex two times without condom  with her due to my alcohol, this makes two time fully unprotected sex and one partly unprotected. I am so scared and anxious because there are some rare strains of HIV available in Cameroon. I don't know why I went to that country. The test for that is not widely available in US. But I found that one test called ABBOTT HIV-1 VIRAL LOAD TEST(Now FDA Approved) detects all strains HIV-1/2/O subtypes and also group N which primarily found in Cameroon. I am so stressed that I want to get tested for all these HIV types.Is it right doctor that to detect all types and groups, this test (ABBOTT HIV-1 Viral load test) is only available??? OR which one is available?? I have some questions:

1) Where should I go to get tested by this ABOTT test??? because this test is not widely available. Is this test very sensitive to detect???

2) Any other alternative way to get tested for all these HIV types and groups(HIV-1/2/O/N subtypes)??? I want to get tested for all as it is very dangerous in Cameroon for these rare strains. Group N(though not much found) is increasing day by day in Cameroon.

3)Plz advise in clear and do tell me the test for all these rare types? I am not able to find, where to get the test which detects all rare strains??

4) One thing more doctor, the maximum window period is 6 months by CDC but some websites has mentioned, rarely it can take more than 6 months also. Even CC says 6 months. So why these websites are mentioning like that more than 6 months??

Plz reply soon.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Seek care from an infectious diseases or HIV specialist who can order tests for both HIV-1 and -2.  There are several tests available, both as blood tests and PCR-type tests.  If the results are negative at this time, it is probable that you are not infected.  The reason no one (including me) will give you an absolute answer regarding how long it may take for the tests to become positive is because there is great variablity amongs people.  For that reason, no one I know is comfortable saying NEVER.  On the other hand, given that you hand only two (or three) exposures, your chances of infection are low.

Hope this is helpful.  EWH

[karap]

Hi,

1)  I saw over the internet, HIV-1/2/O and all subtypes are available but HIV tests which detects HIV-1 GROUP N and CRF's are available in US???  Are they available??

2) It is variable among people but 6 months is the maximum period for all people according to CDC?? I don't have any medical problems, nothing like that. I heard that if after 6 months the test is negative, that is definitive and no need for re-testing. Is it right?  DOCTOR what do you mean by the reason no one (including me) will give you an absolute answer regarding how long it may take for the tests to become positive is because there is great variablity amongs people. Did you mean there is variability but 6 months is the maximum, then no need for re-testing after 6 months and need not worry about HIV.

3) Actually I am worried and anxious because after reading in 1 or 2 websites the time period of more than 6 months and thought that I need to get tested for many years to get a conclusive result. As each and every information over the internet says 6 months. Inaccurate information can also be there on these1-2 websites?? I started thinking that after 6 months also, I need to doubt my status and worry because at 6 months also, the result would not be definitive?? What do you say??? Plz reply soon as I am very worried.

Thanks and Regards

[karap]

Hello doctor,
                     Please comment on my question.

Thanks

[karap]

One thing more doctor, it is said that window period is variable for cancer or immuno cmpromised people. I didn't have any serious medical problems for the last 7-8 years(sometimes fever or cold). So my immune system would be good and 6 months would be definitive. I also read that for immuno compromised people also, 6 months is definitive.

Thanks  

[ConvincedOne]

From what i read online today's Elisa HIV1/2 detect all subtypes. These tests are very sensitive.

Statistical experience in last 20 years says: MINIMUM 97% OF ALL INFECTED PEOPLE WILL SEROCONVERT UNDER THE FIRST 6 WEEKS !

with a new modern technology, and with a new statistics in the last 4 years (2000-2004)
some doctors and researchers in microbiology area even say:

MINIMUM 98.5% WILL SEROCONVERT UNDER THE FIRST 6 WEEKS !

MAXIMUM 1.5% ARE POSSIBLE OUTLIERS FOR 7 WEEKS - 10 WEEKS PERIOD !

these doctors and researchers in microbiology area even say: AFTER 10 WEEKS HIV SEROCONVERSION IS - ALMOST - IMPOSSIBLE !

Good luck

[karap]

Hello doctors,
                       Please advice and be in clear. I would really appreciate it. That  will help me.

Thanks and Regards

[sanzip123]

why you get worried (you are not only 1 in this world , you will get same storry on each day just read archives)
and what to do subtypes with antibody tests antibodies are in response to virus which detected by Elisa
follow guidlines of CDC( see CDC has taken all these precaUTIONS IN THERE TESTING TIME YOU ARE NOT 1 WITH SUPERNATURAL POWER AND WITH RAREST INFECTION OF HIV , SEE CDC KNOWS THERE WORK THEY HAVE 1000 OF DOCTOR TO COME AT WINDOW PERIOD )

3 months and sure and most probably at 6 months (but if first negative statitistic says it is also negative mostly)

by the way asking this question what a result you got , you got same answer that for others i,e 3 months ,

you stop going on net and reading abt HIV , you will come across 1000 of issues of HIV testing
dont ask anything on net. if suppose your 6 months test is negative and 1 year  test become positive(hypothetically) what you will do will you blame net doctor and what will be result of that you did mistake and you have to pay by worring a lot that you did now stop reading get asingle test at 3months if its negative you can be sure and one more thing remember you can be positive only if your partner is also positive(by chances and probability) its not always CSW are with HIV so look for best you will be negative dont repeat same storry first stop drinking otherwise same storry will be in next year god always gives us 2 chances in our life .

go to your gp follow his guidlines if you thinks or go for 3months test which is acceptable

[karap]

Doctor,
              Your comment and assurance will hlp me a lot and satisfy me. I will appreciate it.

Thanks and Regards

[karap]

Hello Doctor,
                      Your comment and assurance will satisfy and help me as almost I am convinced. I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and Regards

[karap]

Hello Doctor,
                     Please comment. Your assurance will give me relief a lot.

Thanks and Regards

[karap]

Hello doctor,
                         Doctor I went to ID doctor, he also even told 3 months gives conclusive result and no need for re-testing. If a person is negative then no further need. He will also order test for rare strains. Actually doctor I am waiting for 6 months time to get tested as CDC says 6 months is the maximum period and full assurance. But just in 1-2 websites, I read more than 6 months, I got worried. So I don't need to bother about those websites? If I am negative after 6 months of last exposure, then no need to worry and further testing?? Please reply soon.