Help please !!

Hello Doctor, I was having protected anal sex with a prostitute and at some point the condom tore off and I have been worried sick since then. I am 32 years old and I immediately (around 6 days later) had a NAT PCR test done, which came out as Negative. About 2 months after my encounter (exactly 60 days), I had an ELISA test (sandwich) and the readings were Test value = 0.026. Cut off = 0.3 Result = Negative.
I am a virtual basket case now. I have been reading all around the internet and feel that I have all the symptoms associated with HIV viz sore throat, whitish tongue, knee ache and white sputum. I have lost a bit of eight too. I have been a cigarette smoker for 15 years, a pack a day and have completely quit (cold turkey) after my encounter. What does my ELISA result mean? Is that a normal value for people? Is it possible for my mind to play tricks on me? I have had my tests done in a state of the art hospital in India. Can I trust the Negative result in spite of my "symptoms"? Please advice. Thank You and God bless.

[LIZZIE LOU]

your symptoms mean nothing when diagnosing hiv...only a test will do that.

it is highly unlikely that a test at 2 months will change...BUT ...only a test at 3 months will give you a conclusive result.

[Johndias]

Lizzie, you reckon that the PCR test done 6 days after exposure does not count for anything?

[Vance2335]

Nope, the PCR is not approved for diagnostic testing. While it can be used to help spot early HIV transmission it is by no means worth taking anything from it. But like Lizzie said the 2 month is a very good indication.

[Johndias]

Ok....thank you. Finally, Test value = 0.026. Cut off = 0.3 Result = Negative. Could this mean that my body is seroconverting and has started producing anti-bodies? I mean the test value is only roughly about one tenths of the cut off. Is the 0.026 the amount of HIV anti-bodies?

[JeanClaude]

A CONCLUSIVE NEGATIVE HIV test is an ANTIBODY ASSAY @ 3 months. That said, your NEGATIVE @ 2 months combined with the PCR is very strong evidence against HIV infection.

-JC-

[LIZZIE LOU]

ignore those numbers...they mean nothing to you.  all you need to worry about is "reactive or non reactive"..."negative or positive".

[Johndias]

Thank You all !! I appreciate the help and am humbled by the magnanimous way in which you all answer posts. Does anyone have any numbers, or links to articles and statistics with respect to being Negative at 8 weeks and then becoming positive at 12 weeks. Basically, I am looking for some comfort in numbers....maybe being 1 in 100 or something like that......

[Vance2335]

No there are no numbers. I can tell you that the 2 Dr's in the expert forum have not seen anyone turn positive after an 8 week test in several years.

[Johndias]

Sorry to ask trouble you guys again. I was reading through the net and came across this site. http://www.thailandguru.com/hiv-aids-thailand.html To refresh your memory, my encounter happened in Bangkok. My tests were done in India for HIV A and B. Is this another strain that I need to get tested for? Have any of you guys heard about this? Jean Claude, being in Mumbai...any advice. I am in Bangalore???
Quick update....It is now 10 weeks and I cannot believe that I have made it this long...thank you all for your help....2 more weeks to go...sigh !!!

[Johndias]

Had my 13 week (91 days) AB blood test and it was negative. Boy, when my pals told me that the experience with heterosexual anal sex is amazing, and told me to try it in Bangkok, they were absolutely right.....only thing....I had my orgasm 3 months later when I saw my Negative report. Sigh !! Time to Move On??

[Vance2335]

Time to move on