Please Advise PCR DNA

Doctor,
I had 2 encounters with the same SW in the United States. One was on Oct 24th, 2010 and the other was on Nov 22nd 2010. During both of the times i had unprotected Oral and protected Vaginal sex. During the second encounter the protected vaginal sex was just one time insertion and then i got scared and took my penis out. During the second time, we were both naked for some time and there was cuddling but as i could remember there was no unprotected insertion.  No condom breaks.On Nov 27, i felt a small bump at the back of my head, hard as bone. It was just exactly in the middle of my back head at the centre. When i googled about this symtom, and in lots of sites they have mentioned that , it could be a HIV concern. I was shocked to see it. I was in great stress and fear. When i read about the other symtoms (symptoms) associated, it was mentioned night sweats, diareahha etc. I did feel night sweats the next night. After 2 nights I opened the window to avoid nigth sweats. It was too cold for me as the winter had just begun. Next morning i noticed a lymph node at the back of my body.  And then after 2 days  diareaha started. Though not very severe, but the stools were pretty loose and watery. It was there was almost 3 to 4 weeks. I was in great stress.  I had no fever, sore throat or rashes. After 6 weeks, i decided to go for a PCR DNA test at labcorp. I got the results back and it was negative.
They also did the
1) HIV-1 Antibody, Confirmation Western Blot,
2) HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qual HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qual
along with
3) HIV-1 DNA by PCR With HIV Antibodies by ICMA with the same blood sample. Those results also were negative.
My question is, can i take these results after 6 weeks as conclusive because i saw some of your answers to people who have taken DNA PCR test along with antibody test at the same time as conclusive?  Please advise.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. Before I address your question in some detail let me congratulate you for your commitment to safe sex.  It will help to keep you uninfected.

As for HIV, you do not have it. the combination of a negative PCR test at 6 weeks following exposure along with a negative antibody test is definitive evidence that you do not have HIV.  The reason we do not routinely recommend the HIV PCR (along with the antibody test) is that there are false positive tests all too often and because it is quite expensive.  having had the tests however, you can be confident that you did not get infected.

As far as your symptoms, I have never heard of a "small bump at the back of my head, hard as bone. It was just exactly in the middle of my back head at the centre" as a sign of HIV infection and find myself wondering what they were thinking.  At the same time however, I would add that ALL of the symptoms of early HIV are totally non-specific and are regularly caused by things other than HIV.  In fact, in all cases, they are far more often due to non-HIV causes than to HIV.  

Bottom line, you are in the clear related to the expsoures you mention.  I hope my comment is helpful.  EWH

[willneverrepeat]

Doctor,
I tested again at the 55th day (approx 8 weeks, a day before 8 weeks) and the results came back negative.  This time it is just the antibody test.

The results are as follows,
HIV-1 Antibody Test with Reflex to Western Blot Confirmation <1.00 <1.00 Negative
HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qual HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qual Non Reactive Non Reactive Negative

Can i take these results as conclusive at approx 8 weeks or do i need further testing? Please advise doctor.

Thank you so much

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your results are conclusive.  No need for further testing and no need to worry related to this exposure.  EWH