Test result conclusivity re test needed???

Hi Doctor,

I asked this question in the community forum but i am still very anxious. Im 24 from UK and been in a relationship with my girlfriend for 4 years. Last september i had PROTECTED vaginal with a csw in Amsterdam. When i got back i didnt think much of this an decided i would move on from the whole situation. Anyway about 4 months after the incident i became extremely anxious and decided to for a NHS hiv test and full screening.

While i was waiting for these results i decided to get an INSTI test aswel as i was very worried and anxious. Thank god all these tests came back negative and i was so relieved that i could move on. These tests were taken 4 months after the incident.

About a month later i discovered i got genital warts around my anus. I have never had these before and they were very tiny and went quickly with treatment. They have come back a total of 3 times so far and im very worried this could indicate HIV. They are always very small and go quickly but its really stressing me out.The doctor at the GUM clinic said these could of come because of stress and i could of had the virus for years. Iv also had a small oral thrush infection which could be from my steriod inhaler i have taken all my life. I have probably had oral thrush before but because im so anxious at the moment im always checking any little tweak in my body. I have used nystatin and daktarin oral gel and the situation remains the same really. The doctor said just to swill my mouth with salt water now dont take anymore nystatin.

My question is do you think i should be re tested for HIV? These are the only symptoms iv had but im so anxious now. If you could give me some advice i would really appreciate it. I dont really want to re test as i really want to move on but i will if you think i should.

thank you

J

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I agree with the advice you already received on the Community site.  Believe your test results.

The reason testing for HIV is so very important is that many of the signs of HIV infection are quite non-specific and can occur in situations other than HIV.  In addition HIV is often asymptomatic for many years before  person begins to experience HIV-related illness.  For both of these reasons, testing is a critical element of evaluation for HIV.  Fortunately the tests for HIV are extraordinarily goo an provide accurate information when a person is tested any time more than 8 weeks after exposure.  In your case you were tested twice at times long after 8 weeks with negative results.  Believe the results.  You did not get HIV from your encounter with the CSW in September.

I hope my comments are helpful.  Warts can be a nuisance an sometimes it takes persistence to control them.  Keep working with your doctor but don't worry about HIV relate to your September exposure.  EWH

[Jayuk2011]

Thank you doctor, Today i seen a doctor i havent seen before and she gave me a course of tablets for the oral thrush. I hoping this will sort it out. Thinking back i have always had trouble with fungal infections as i have fungal nail infection in my feet and athletes foot.

Does the oral thrush not alarm you? Do you think this is irrelavant considering i had protected sex and iv had the tests done?

Doctor can i say what you and the other doctors do on here is invaluable and i can thank you enough for the re assurance you have given me, anxiety about hiv has really taken over my life and i just want to get back to normal, so thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, the thrush does not worry me.  While persons who have had HIV for years can have increased risk for thrush, thrush also occurs regularly in people who do not not have HIV. In fact, only a very small proportion of the many persons who have thrush turn out to have HIV. Given the no risk nature of your exposure, there is no reason to worry qabout your thrush.  EWH

[Jayuk2011]

Doctor, Iv been taking fluconzole 50mg for 1 week now and the thrush situation is the same. its really worrying me now. Have you ever known somebody to get a negative test at 4 months and then turn out to be positive? Its just with the thrush and the warts im worried something is now wrong with my immune system.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Please stop this silly worrying.  You do not have HIV.  Your exposure was no risk and your tests prove that you did not get HIV.  

That's all for this thread.  EWH