General testing questions, etc

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions in advance.  I am due for my regular, yearly HIV test this week and I have a couple of questions before I take it (not that it would effect my choice in taking it, just peace of mind). I am a hetero male, never used drugs, and always use condoms. I know I have low risks, based on this, but please provide insight, as I am looking for education.

- When I go to take it, I will be at 26 days past my last intercourse. I've heard that 28 days (blood test) shows 90% of people that would test positive, is this pretty much the same for 2 days shy of 28?  Like 85% or so?  Also, I don't think the DUO test is avail in my area.

- I have an infection of some sorts, maybe viral/ bacteria? Could that pose a risk for a false-positive? I read on another medical forum that it could, albeit a remote chance. What are you medical thoughts?

- What is considered a 'high fever' when related to ARS? I've had a mild one, around 99.5 for a few days now, just wondering.

-Not to surround symptoms, but would a sore jaw muscle fall under the "very sore muscles" part of ARS?  Or is it all over the body?

Again, thanks in advance.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  I'll try to help sort this out for you.

It is wise for all sexually active persons (who are having non-monogamous sex) be tested from time to time for HIV and other common STDs, so the planned testing is responsible of you.  However, it sounds like you are near zero risk for HIV.  The risk for other STDs (e.g., chlamydia) probably is higher, but even that would have happened only if there were an unknown condom failure.  All things considered, you can definitely expect negative results.

1) The odds of HIV infection from any single episode of heterosexual vaginal intercourse are so low that I really don't think you need worry about any particular event -- unless that partner is known to be infected or especially high risk.  Annual testing is more to pick up uknown exposures over the entire period and doesn't really need to depend on timing since the last sexual event. However, if you want 100% assurance about your last sex, then indeed you need to wait until 6-8 weeks have passed.  Or have the combo (duo) test, if available.

2) There are no infections or illnesses that have any effect on HIV test reliability.  The only possible exceptions may be immediately life threatening conditions, like terminal cancer or other very serious conditions -- and even there are theoretical only, with few if any actual known cases that they affected HIV test results.  A garden variety respiratory virus will have no effect.

3) ARS fever is usually 101 or higher.  Everybody's temperature hits 99.5 from time to time; or you could have mild fever due to the virual condition.

4) The muscle aches assocaited with ARS (and with other systemic illnesses, like influenza) are body wide.  Aching in a localized area, whether of muscular or any other origin, is not a symptom that hints at ARS.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[jpr2011]

Thanks for the reply.  

For a brief follow up, would you consider things like pneumonia and/ or bronchitis (since they can be severe) to be severe enough infections that would pose a false-positive?

That's my last and only follow-up.  Thanks again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I suppose if pneumonia were severe enough to be life threatening -- i.e. in the hospital, on a respirator, on the verge of death.  Even then, only maybe -- and obviously irrelevant to your situation.

Please stop looking for reasons that your test results may not be reliable.  There are no such reasons.  Let it go and move on.