Test results

[jamesmil]

Dear Dr.

Here’s my story:

Brief protected oral and vaginal with csw and the condom seemed to be intact in the end but, I’m always contemplating what if questions in my mind. And despite reading about ways the disease can be transmitted I’m still very concerned about having contracted it. So, I have done a couple of test.

1) DUO at 27 days = negative / not detected

2) ordered by a doctor and taken at 5.2 weeks (37 days)

Protein C Reactive 1.84 mg/L         [ < 5 ]
Immunoglobulin A 257 mg/dL        [70 - 400]
Immunoglobulin G 1165 mg/dL       [700 - 1600]
Immunoglobulin M 82 mg/dL         [50 - 300]

So I would appreciate you view on the results and the possibility of any further test turning positive.

Would you recommend any further tests?

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  "What if" questions tend to cause upset and unrest for many of our Forum's visitors.  Let's review the facts which allow me to tell you with confidence that you do not have HIV and do not need further testing to prove this:

1.  Most CSWs do not have HIV.
2.  Most exposures to infected sex partners do not lead to HIV transmission
3.  Proper condom use virtually eliminates risk for HIV acquisition.
4.  The DUO test detects well over 90% of HIV infections at 27 days, precisely how much more is not totally clear but certainly more

Putting all of these FACTS (that is these are facts and not debatable) together makes the probability that you have acquired HIV through a protected sexual encounter with a CSW over 27 days ago effectively zero.  You do not need to be concerned and do not need further testing to prove this.

As for the Protein C and immunoglobulin tests, these are all non-specific tests which are no help in evaluating the presence or absence of HIV.  It is nice that they are all normal but they are meaningless with relationship to your concerns about HIV.

I hope my comments will give you peace of mind.  You need not be concerned and do not need further testing. EWH

[jamesmil]

Thanks Dr Edward. I'll take your word for it and try to relax now.