In need of good answers - testing methods and windows

[txbuck]

I am a male and on May 25, I performed cunnilingus on a prostitute.  She also performed oral sex on me, as well.  On June 16th I began having abdominal cramping and diarrhia after a domestic trip, here, in the US.  A CT scan was done and I was found to have a fatty liver and several diverticuli.  The doctor prescribed Cipro and an OTC probiotic.  In a few days the diarrhea cleared up but the cramping never has.  I have not had a fever, swollen lymph glands, rashes, thrush, headaches, sore throat, or any of the other myriad of web found symptoms.  On June 29 I had an OraQuick - finger stick - rapid hiv test performed.  The result was negative.  I still experience the same cramping and I wil have diarrhea if I stop the probiotics (I have tried this and had diarrhea).  I repeated the same type of hiv test at the same clinic, in Houston, on July 13 and the result was negative.  I have read on these sites that a negative test after 6 weeks is VERY likely to remain negative.  Is this true?  I have no cancer, chemo treatments or drug usage AT ALL.  I have tentatively planned to have another test done on Friday, of this week.  Same place, same test.  Is the OraQuick 20 minute rapid test a reliable test?  Is it as reliable as the other tests?  I have read SO MUCH on these sites that my head is swimming with facts.  Some say that 4 weeks is reliable.  Others say that six weeks is a reliable period to wait.  Others say that eight weeks is that standard and the CDC says 13.  What is the true story?  How good are these tests and do I have cause for real concern?  Thanks for taking the time to read my question and thanks for the work that you are doing.  Regardless of everything, I will become a better father and husband.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your question has nocontext.  I repeat, you are not at risk.  This ends this thread.  There will be no further answers. EWH

[txbuck]

One follow up and then I will leave you alone.  Do you know of anyone who has tested positive after testing negative for 7 weeks?  Understanding that the person is tested with modern testing methods and has otherwise normal health.  For my piece of mind, please answer.

[txbuck]

Thanks Doc.  Take care and God Bless.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No cure as yet but great progess.  Modern therapy has transformed HIV from a death sentence for nearly everyone who has the infection to an infection which can be managed using antiviral therapy so that infected persons can live a normal life while taking effective daily medications.  EWH

[txbuck]

You have eased my fears and I appreciate the quick response.  I have another follow-up question.  Do you think that this terrible disease will ever be cured?  Please keep up the good work and I really appreciate your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your abdominal cramps and other symptoms are coincidental to but not related to your exposure to the commercial sex worker you mention.  You do not have HIV.  I am confident of this for multiple reasons. Among the reasons I say this are:

1.  People just do not get HIV from giving or receiving oral sex.  The quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex with an infected partner is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex.  Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex.
2.  You have been tested on multiple occasions over a seven week period.  At that time at least 98% of persons who acquired HIV 7 weeks ago would have a positive test.  

When you combine the low risk nature of your exposure and your negative tests (BTW, the OraQuick tests are very reliable), you can be confident that you do not have HIV.   The CDC's recommendations are more conservative than ours for two major reason -first they cannot afford to EVER be wrong and have to give out general information without knowing details such as those you have provided me and secondly, they that some people are still being tested by older tests which are not as sensitive as those currently available such as the OraQuick.

Bottom line, you do not have HIV, you have nothing to worry about and do not need further testing.  Hope this is helpful to you.  EWH