Test question and what else should i do now?

[viewofsisley]

hihi dr,i tested 7weeks,3month,and 8 months in my city hospital for HIV after unprotected vaginal with a girl in the bar with unknown status.The dr here told me i am fine,then i asked him if i need more testss ,he answered no,he said i am negative for HIV 1/2 ab,and at this time i am really ok.

Then i asked him more about the hiv1/2 ab tests.He told me the test detects the HIV antibody in the blood,if one person has HIV antibody,he is infected.And at this time,according to the cdc guideline,the negative ab tests proved i am fine.

So i am confused,the test dose not try to find the virus,but only test for antibodies,what if i don't have antibodies but the virus was in blood?  he answered if the virus was in my blood ,i would have produced enough antibodies which could be detected now.

Then i went back.But not completely sure about myself now.So my first question is:Why the dr was so sure that i would produce antibodies if the virus in the blood? He did not do anyother test for me,how could he know it so sure,only because of the cdc guide?or What if i could produce,but may take more time than8 months ?I googled some information for antibody and i read that "produce antibody"is a "basic function of immune sys when the virus or bacteria etc.comes into".Does it mean If i am a basic normal man,i should have the function to produce antibody when the hiv virus comes into ,is it right?

Then i googled for somemore information about the hiv tests,i found there was another test called PCR RNA test,it tests the virus not ab.But this test was not approved for diagnosis ,why?   I asked my dr then, he didnot reccommand to this test,why? But actually if i want to test with this PCR,i need to go out far away from my city to contact with some special Lab.Do i need to run this test to confirm my ab tests?Do you think the PCR test is good and worthy to run for me?


my last question is Are you sure i am ok now?Can i have unprotected sex with my girlfriend now?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

See this thread:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/-A-Question-on-Testing/show/1347755

I have no more comments.  This thread is over.  Accept the reassurance and move on.

[viewofsisley]

hihi dr, i saw cdc stated that 6 months test is conclusive(though i saw you and dr hook said 3 months is absolutely conclusive),but for extra sure, i've already tested after 8 month,.

can i now be completely sure that i am clean?

and as you said ab test is good enough for me,i also heard there is a 4th generation antibody test combined with detecting p24 antigen ,dose the p24 antigen could be detected in every person?do you think i need to do this one in 12month?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

For people in your situation, i.e. worried about a sexual exposure, the antibody test has always been the best and most accurate test.  Other tests (e.g. PCR) are better in some circumstances, but not this one.

Your brother's friend is exactly right.

Happy new year--  HHH, MD

[viewofsisley]

thank you doctor!! plus my last 2 questions!!
thanks!!
Is the ab tests the best test for people now?(i mean accurate)

one of my brother's friend is a doctor,he said if I don't produce ab then i should know it and plus i should have medical problems.  do you agree with him?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the HIV forum.

Everybody with HIV produces antibodies to it.  There are virtually no exceptions.  A negative antibody test more than 6-8 weeks (and for sure more than 3 months) after exposure proves 100% that a person was not infected with HIV.  

In other words, your doctor was right.  For sure you did not catch HIV and you do not need PCR testing.  (In addition, you had a low risk exposure.  In the US and other industrialized countries, very few women of "unknown status" in fact have HIV.)

Please accept the reassurance and stop worrying about it.  You weren't infected.  All is well.

Happy new year--  HHH, MD

[viewofsisley]

i didnot remember i had an very obvious symptoms

[Hong77520]

Hi ,

just curious, can you tel me abt ur symptoms post exposure?