HIV test while taking Transfer Factor

Dr.

I had unprotected sexual intercourse with a woman almost 7 months ago. 5 months later (21 weeks) I went to get tested and it came back Negative. However I was also taking this dietary supplement called Transfer Factor for about three months when i got tested. I googled it and found out that it is all natural (not a drug) and meant to help your immune system. I read it also helps NK cells function better. Lastly I also found out that it has helped people with HIV/AIDS decrease their viral load and increase their CD4 count although it also said these people were under antiretroviral treatment. My question is that if a supplement like Transfer Factor even though it is not considered an antiretroviral drug could possibly give me a false negative since it seems to have helped people's immune system who are HIV positive. I looked online if this supplement could alter an HIV test but found only what I wrote above. From reading this forum I know you said that antiretroviral treatment and potent chemotherapy could delay a Positive result. Therefore my other question is after 5 months could something like this alter my test and if so would this no longer be the case if i get tested again after 7 months since that is how long it has been since the sexual intercouse occured.

Lastly I would like to discuss my symptons over the past few months. When i get canker sores my lymph nodes hurt a little bit but then goes away and heal once the sores go away. My mouth seems to have some thrush in the back of the tongue but my doctor and dentist told me it just needed a cleaning. I might add that I had sore throat with a light fever (99-100) for a few days but this happened a few weeks before I got tested Negative. Also I get headaches from time to time but Im hoping its just stress. Dr. I'm sorry if my question seems really out there but I just want to be sure about my Negative result. I've learned my lesson and want to put this all behind me once and for all!

Thank you!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The dietary supplement that you were taking claims to boost your immunity, not suppress it.  This being the case, if you had gotten HIV from the exposure you describe (a most unlikely event, whether or not she had HIV, and she probably did not have HIV to start with), your test would have become positive sooner, not be falsely negative.  You can believe the test you had, you did not get HIV from the exposure you describe.  This is for certain.  Believe the test.

As far as your symptoms, believe the test. The symptoms you describe are entirely non-specific and not something to worry about.  Take care.  EWH