Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Regarding Unprotected Exposure and Seroconversion

mike_no answered a series of questions a few days ago in relation to an exposure that I experienced recently. Wasn't sure how to follow-up with this query so wrote a new one - apologies if this isn't the normal protocol.

Mike, I really appreciate your feedback and it certainly helps alleviate some of the fears. However some of the info you provided also raised some other concerns for me. I guess what I'm still struggling with is the symptoms aspect and the fact that I started having these around 5 weeks. You mentioned that seroconversion normally happens 2 weeks after symptoms. Therefore I could have been having symptoms at 5 weeks that would not have been picked up by a 6 week test - correct? I also notice that you mentioned Dr HHH says 6-8 week test is conclusive. This 2 weeks is quite significant for me since it might be 6 weeks was too early.

How likely is it that my 6 week test would have been positive if my symptoms at 5 weeks were ARS related
13 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Mike,

One last question. You said ARS can't show up after 2-4 weeks. How can this be if people can theoretically seroconvert right up until 3 months. Don't mean to be aggressive with my questioning - just trying to understand. Is it not possible someone could have ARS at 10 weeks and show antibodies at 12 weeks?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Anybody comment on my last question regarding testing?

Thx.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not at all - sorry if anyone took it that way or was offended. It is derived from the fact that my roots are scottish! We have highland clans that relate to our heritage.
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
Clasman,

I think,you should ease up, you had your 6 weeks negative and it's a very strong indicator, by the way ARS can't show up so late, it occurs within 2 - 4 weeks after the infection, so whatever is your problem, it's not ARS.

I apologize for the confusion, it's meant to be 'proceeding' i.e following..

The doc here in the forum says 6 week's conclusive and you should at least believe the doctor.


Restest at the 8th week for your peace of mind and move on
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Really going out of my mind now since I've just discovered that I have angular cheilitis as opposed to a cold sore. Apparently this is a strong indicator of ARS. Can anyone comment?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What kind of name is that?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mike,

Forgive me - one last question. You said 'detectable amount of anti bodies will always be detected after two weeks preceding the seroconversion'. When you say preceding did you really mean 'before' or was this meant to say proceeding i.e. 'after'. Otherwise how could there be abtibodies present if you haven't seroconverted?
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
You should also know that; practically, some one being in the last stage of cancer would be the only one who would seroconvert late

and when I say one would seroconvert within 14 to 22 days,14 being the earliest and 22 the average, the test at 6 weeks would definitely be reliable

You have to believe in your result and what the expert says, avoid reading too much about HIV and keep your self engaged in some activity.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mike,

Really appreciate the response. I appreciate I need to lighten up - was on my way to doing that until my latest symptoms popped up! If I understand you correctly though you believe that only rare cases seroconvert beyond six weeks - correct?

Let me ask about the test - if I was having ARS late at five weeks would this have been picked up in my 6 week test? Is the testing technology that advanced? I'm concerned that UK GUM clinics are behind the times.

Blackmane, not sure I understood your question about the name?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think he's referring to the fact that a "clansman" is a term generally used to refer to a member of the KKK.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mike,

One other thing that puzzles me is when Dr HHH states that late seroconversion is almost unheard of with modern tests. Surely it's the person that determines when seroconversion happens? If it doesn't happen until week 8 after exposure how does a modern test help?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mike,

Really appreciate you taking the time to answer me. The information I'm seeing is quite reassuring if it wasn't for the symptoms I've had. Incidentally yesterday I've come down with a heavy cold and today a major coldsore. I'm now at 52 days since exposure. Every little sign freaks me out!!

Anyway you mentions that most people seroconvert 14-22 days. I believe the average is 22 days? However for this to be an average there must be a maximum number of days for symptoms to show. My worry is that my immune system has reacted slower and that my symptoms starting at 34 days could have been ARS. If that were the case then antibodies might not have been sufficient to show positive on a 42 day test? Or am I missing something.

Any thoughts on the symptoms I've had?
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think you should read the earlier post properly, I said ' detectable amount of anti bodies will always be detected after two weeks preceding the seroconversion'

So what I meant was, Normally one would seroconvert in 14 - 22 days and by the the 4 th week detectable amount of antibodies would always be present

So your 6 weeks negative is very reassuring.

Hope this helps
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.