Seroconversion symptoms, hiv testing

[postit06]

Dear Doctor,

Sorry for my bad english...
I would like to thank you for your work and the useful information you provide.

I am a gay male (40 year old), I have had 2,5 months ago a stupid risky sexual encounter (I have been playing safe sex for 20 years !!!)... I was receptive anal and stupidly let my partner penetrate me without condom for approx. 2/3 seconds at the very beginning of the intercourse... I then asked him to wear a condom.
We discussed our HIV status and my partner confirmed to be HIV neg.

I have had at the 4 week mark HIV testings including :
* HIV Duo (Ab HIV1 / HIV2 + Ag p24 - ELFA Vidas Biomérieux)
* HIV 1/0/2 (Advia Centaur)
Both test came back negative

I have been experiencing some symptoms :
* at 3.5 weeks post exposture - bilateral groin pains & mild sore irritation (at this time, I went to my GP and he told me there were no abnormal swollen lymph nods and no throat infection)
* at 6 weeks post exposture - persistent headaches (similar to sinusitis) for approx. 10 days
* at 10 weeks - moderate pain in left cheek with swollen parotid orifice and duct...Specialist doctor diagnosted parotitis (origin undetermined at present time ; I'll have a new appointment wit the specialist on wednesday)
* some mouth ulcers from time to time

Are these symptoms probably linked to HIV... I am very anxious concerning parotitis as far as I have been informed that this could be a sign of HIV early infection ?
Can I rely on the tests I had at the 4 week mark ?
Should I re-test now ?

Thank you again for your help and support.
With best regards

[Nacido]

Congratulations.

One more wish:
Don't become like me and so many others here, the post 3 months testing negative and still worried...it is dark pit very hard to get out. If ever you start doubting again your test results (I hope this will not happen to you), immediately seek professional (psychological) help.

The best to you,

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for you kind words and congratulations. Take care. EWH

[postit06]

Dear Doctor,

I have just received my 12 week HIV test result = NEGATIVE !

First of all, I would like to thank you very much for your kind help and the consistent information you are providing on the HIV Prevention Expert Forum.

I also would like to share my last 3 month experience with others :
1. DO NOT RELY on symptoms... I have had myself a lot of symptoms (persistent headaches, muscle & groin pains, folliculitis, "parotitis", diarrhea...)... all due to common viruses or more probably, in my particular case, very very high anxiety (I was absolutely convinced to be HIV + !!!)
2. RELY ONLY on professional advices  provided by HIV specialists such as Doctor Hook
3. RELY ON your testing results (if taken at correct window frames)
4. DO HOT HESITATE to seek psycological help during difficult period of waiting (window period / testing results)
5. MOST IMPORTANT ALWAYS USE CONDOMS

And if you can afford, do not hesitate to make a donation to associations/funds/reasarch centers fighting against HIV !!

Happy new year to all and thank you again Doctor Hook !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum  Your risk for infection from the exposure that you describe is low and this is confirmed by your test results at the 4 week point.  Your partner said he was not infected (after the fact, thus there was no reason for him to lie) and even if he was, the risk of getting HIV after a single episode of receptive rectal intercourse if less than 1 in 100 (1%).  In your case, your negative DUO test at 4 weeks essentially confirms that you did not get HIV from this exposure.  Published data indicate that at 4 weeks the DUO tests detect virtually all HIV infections.  

Each of the symptoms you describe is non-specific and could be caused by other processes including the sorts of common "every day" viruses that most people get from time to time.  This is the reason that when symptoms and test results do not agree it is always best to go with the test results.  Yours show you do not have HIV.

If repeat testing will give you peace of mind, then re-test but only if you can promise yourself to believe the test results.  The results will be the same as they were at 4 weeks, confirming what is already known, that you did not get HIV from this exposure.  

Please do not let this slip up weaken your commitment to condom protected safe sex.  Take care.  EWH