HIV OR ANY OTHER STD

[plzhelp345]

I had  a unprotected vaginal intercourse with a stripper 7 months ago. it lasted for 5 mins. i was drunk and i didnt know what stupid mistake i was making. I live in ny and i got tested at 1 month, 2 month, 3 month and 5 month and 7 days. I believe they were all Antibody test and they all came negative. My question to  you is tht I got vaccinated for hepatitis and measles and chicken pox 4 or 5 times in last 5 yrs for school or work or something .Can tht cause delayed seroconversion or coinfection with any other std. I am 23 and i am stressed out. I cant seem to get this hiv thing out of my mind. I know symptoms are poor indicator of the infection. My left armpit hurts and i had a black blue on my knee. i know doctors say 6 month is conclusive. i missed 6 month mark by 3 weeks. Should i go again. Please help doctor

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Blood tests for HIV are always positive within 1-2 weeks after symptoms start.  But your symptoms don't matter one way or the other.  It is impossible to catch HIV and still have negative test results 3 months and almost 6 months later.  

You came here for reassurance.  I gave it.  Accept it or not, I don't care, but I'm not going to argue about it.

[plzhelp345]

This is my last question. So if the symptoms that occur are due to HIV then it should have shown in the blood results rite and how long does it take after the symptoms for HIV to show in the blood. This was my last question. I wouldnt bother you after this.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

HIV testing is always reliable as long as it is done at least 6-8 weeks after exposure.  Six months is very old news, going back to older HIV tests no longer in use.  With current tests, some experts say 3 months, but nobody suggests a need to wait 6 months for reliable results.  No medicine or medical conditions alter the reliability of test results, with the possible exception of terminal illnesses or potent chemotherapy -- and even those are theoretical, not proved.  Your vaccinations make no difference.  It is impossible that your symptoms are due to HIV.  You're home free and need no further testing.

All these issues have been discussed innumerable times; indeed your questions are just about the most common asked on this forum.  If you have additional questions or uncertainties, either use the search function or just scan any 10-20 threads at random.

Regards--- hHH, MD