False Negatives

[Gaz1234]

Dear Docs
Sorry for posting but, it's been 6 months since my last post and some new developments.
Here's my previous post: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Worsening-Symptoms-Negative-Tests/show/1333039#post_6093001
Basically, since this time my symptoms have worsened my gums are receeding further, to the point that I'm close to losing teeth, and continue to ulcerate and hurt. Plus, the seb derm is affecting my face and arms. Without the topical cream I have it flares up big time. In addition, I have also started to develop peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. I've since had another  4th gen test that was again negative. Plus, other blood tests have revealed a vit. B12 deficiency. Ive now also got very noticable horizontal ridges in my nails too. I got referred to a general medicine doc who didn't have much of a clue and didn't fill me with confidence when he started to look on Wikipedia for a cause of my symptoms!!
My wife is also experiencing the same gum and seb derm symptoms. So the cause must be contagious. I'm getting really concerned that it can only be HIV. But, somehow it isn't reacting with the tests I've had. I don't know what to do! Should I push for more oblique testing such as viral load and CD4/CD8?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Persistence in fixating on HIV casued by mysterious, "alien" strains is another of those urban myths perpetuated on the internet.  Believe you tests.  You do not have HIV,  That''s really all I have to say except to repeat that if you and your wife are ill, your continued pursuit of the possiblity of HIV will only delay finding out what is really happening.  EWH

[Gaz1234]

Hi Dr Hook,
To be honest guilt hasn't really been the driver for my HIV concern. I honestly took my 12 week negative as conclusive and got on with my life. It was only when my gum problems started that I began to focus my attention on HIV. The development of my other symptoms over time since then, such as seb derm have reinforced my belief that it is HIV.
My wife is definitely developing the same symptoms as me so it must be something contagious and since my doctors are currently at a bit of a loss to the cause I'm struggling to believe my tests are correct.
I guess after the array of tests I've had the greatest chance of a false negative is via a diverse strain given that my risk was with a person from Africa. But, i don't know what strains the tests could miss. If were talking group N or P then I know the tests I've had should detect these  but, what about diverse CRF's ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'm sorry to hear that your symptoms have continued/progressed.  They however are not due to HIV related to the sexual exposure you described.  Your tests prove this and unless there have been further exposures, additional testing, oblique or otherwise, will not change.  If you were not satisfied with the first doctor you met with, I suggest you try another.  In addition, I should point out that with difficult clinical problems such as yours, sometimes there is a bit of trial and error needed to sort things out.  With negative tests, this is not HIV of for that matter, anything else that you acquired from your past mis-step.  What that exposure did give you however appears to be a dose of guilt which has you focused on the possibility of HIV when your attentions should be directed elsewhere.  EWH