Peace Of Mind...PRICELESS!

Greetings!   Nervous re: my "exposure". March 23, drops of menstrual blood on hand, person's HIV status unknown. No cuts/sores, maybe chapped skin. Washed w/soap followed w/ alcohol (stung). Started Googling, told no risk by your comm. forum. Stressing. Wk 3=> symptoms. HA (BP 180/100).  Lost wt.(17# - 4 wks - no appetite). Tender nodes neck, collarbone, armpits. Lost voice (crying/post nasal drip -?pharyngitis). Dry cough. Cold sore. UTI =>antibiotics. Loose stool X 2. No temp. Few mini "night sweats" (hot flashes?) not drenching.                                                                                                                                                                             Test at 4 wks.     HIV DNA PCR/HIV Ab              Results: HIV1 DNA Not detected.
                                                HIV DNA by PCR                                  HIV 1/0/2 Abs index value <1.00
                                                HIV DNA RT by PCR                             HIV 1/0/2 Abs Qual Non reactive
                      Tested at 8 wks.  HIV 1/0/2 Abs ICMA                              HIV 1/0/2 Abs index value <1.00
                                                                                                           HIV 1/0/2 Abs Qual Non reactive
                                                 HIV2 Abs, EIA                                     HIV2 Abs OD ratio Neg:<1.00
                                                                                                                                                                      #1. RA X 15 years. On Mobic, Plaquenil and Methotrexate X 10 years- affect HIV tests? Should I test beyond 13 wks due to med? Do antibiotics affect test?
#2. USA recommends retest after 3 mos, do you agree?
#3. If I test again, do odds look good it will be neg?
#4. If 13 wk test neg., can I return to unprotected sex with spouse? (HIV neg.)
Thank you for your time.  Anxiously awaiting your reply

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  There are really two questions here.  

The first question is did getting a drop of menstrual blood from a partner of unknown HIV status (who was probably not infected) put you at risk for HIV.  The answer is no.  Even if your partner was infected, Surface contamination of the skin of your hand would not put you at risk for HIV, even if there was a small cut or if your hand was chapped.  Thus this was a no risk exposure.

The second question has to do with the reliability of your tests.  The medications you are on for your RA are mildly immunosuppressive.  Thus such therapy might delay antibody response but it would not have any influence on the detection of virus or viral nucleic acids by PCR testing.  Your multiple negative DNA tests at 4 weeks and beyond are strong indicators that you do not have HIV.  Thus while it is possible (but unlikely) that antibody production MIGHT be delayed, there is still strong evidence that you do not have HIV.

In answer to your specific questions:
1.  See above., The meds will not affect the test.  
2.  I see no need for further testing.  You do not have HIV.
3.  Unless you have further exposures, additional testing, no matter when you have it, will not change your test results.
4.  You can safely have sex with your wife at this time.

Hope this helps. EWH

[basketcase99]

Thank you for your quick response. Just so I'm sure I understand your response, even if meds suppressed antibodies, the PCR would have picked up actual virus, correct?  Are HIV DNA by PCR and HIV DNA RT by PCR 2 different tests? Only took PCR @ 4 wks. 8wks was antibody only. Still no need to test further? Or is all that irrelevant since this was a no risk exposure?  And sex with spouse can be unprotected? I forgot to ask about the tender nodes that still remain, will they eventually go away? Anything I can do to hurry the process? Thanks again so much for your help. Appreciate it greatly!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Lots of repetitive questions.  You read my comments correctly. No risk exposure and negative PCR at 4 weeks. Thus no need for further testing, even if you don't believe that this was a no risk exposure (which it was).

No need to worry about transmission to your partner.

The nodes, if that is was they are, do not indicate HIV.  EWH