Need and expert opinion

[aspirees14]

Hello, i have a question regarding the HIV test and its window period if co-infected with acute hepatitis C.

Previously i was exposed to a HIV infected blood. The person was poz for HIV and Hepatitis B. I then get tested  with 3rd gen ELISA at 46 days. The test were negative. But at 6th weeks i developed a fever for 2 days and was resolved with panadol but nasal congestant was persist until 2 weeks. And then at 10th week i developed a weird penis lesion (sort of like ulcer) that persist until today.

Due to worrying symptoms and following up to the window period, i got tested again at 84 days with 4th gen Combo rapid prick test and the result were also negative. But since then after the 3 months window period, i develop a skin rash at the collar region that is not itchy and it stayed for about 2-3 weeks. And i also have this itchiness/stinging sensation (like pricking of needles) n on my body and sometimes peripherals. I also have on/off neck pain after the 3 months window period and sometimes loose stools.

I have read on the internet that these might be the symptoms of acute hepatitis C but i have not yet get tested for it. What i am concerned is, if i do have acute hepatitis C, would it affect the accuracy of my HIV test? Would the acute Hepatitis C may have delay the seroconversion? Should i get tested again at 6 months mark?

Thanks in advance.

[aspirees14]

But what about your thoughts on acute hep c affecting the hiv window period if the diseases is contracted at the same time? Since there has been a reported case of that? And as you know i was exposed by blood (fresh blood) and not sexual exposure.

[Kirstie_MHModerator]

That question was answered in the first response given to you.  There isn't anything more to say, as you are conclusively negative for HIV.

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[aspirees14]

Thanks for your answer.

But i actually have a doubt on my test result as it was done anonymously and it could it the operator mistake. I was asked to wait for awhile outside while waiting for my test result, i expect it to be 20-30 minutes but i was called inside after about only 10-15 minutes which is why im doubting my test result. Could it be due to that? That the operator might have called me in way too early before the test kit to show a positive result? How long does it take to wait for the result to be accurate?

I'm having this doubt due to these worrying symptoms which is interrupting with my daily life. And another question would be what is the window period for Hep C test? Could these symptoms be HIV related in any way, especially the pricking sensation on my body and the rash

[CurfewX]

I can't help you with your unfounded distrust of the clinic.  If you think it's a bad clinic that doesn't know how to do HIV tests properly, you should go elsewhere.  There's no way we can know the methodology behind each test and the lab timing.  It depends on which test, and I'm not prepared to look it up - either you trust that the clinic knows how to perform a routine test or you don't.

YOU DO NOT HAVE HIV.  You're conclusively negative, and your symptoms have nothing to do with HIV.  This forum is specific to HIV, so we aren't able to answer your HepC questions here.

[CurfewX]

No.  Put HIV behind you - you conclusively do not have HIV.  I hope you don't have HepC either, but at least you can focus on other possibilities since you definitely don't have HIV.

[aspirees14]

Also, could HIV cause the lesion on my penis head?