Very very worried, please help!

Dr. Hansfield and Dr. Hook,
I am 24 year old male with a sexual history of 3 sexual partners.

1st Partner) July 2007, a sex worker however I used a condom and only vaginal intercourse and a handjob was performed
2nd Partner) August 2009, a sex worker again with a condom
3rd partner) From September 2009-December 2009 I had only vaginal intercourse with this person approximately 15 times. Some of these times were protected but occasionally we had unprotected sex and one of the times was while she was on her period so I was exposed to her blood. This person claims to have slept with 8 guys in the past and claims to have been tested a year before me but there is no way for me to know for sure because i know she is dishonest.

Now begining in June of 2010 I became very paranoid about HIV so I recieved a standard antibody test. This was just over 6 months after my last sexual encounter and the results came back "Non-reactive." This gave me some instant relief, however just a few weeks later, these same scared feelings resurfaced and i felt like i needed to get tested again. This time it was just over 7 months after my last possible exposure and the results were again "non-reactive." Both times the doctor told me I had absolutely nothing to worry about.
This past week i noticed two lymph nodes in my neck were palpable and possibly enlarged. I can also palpate my inguinal lymph nodes bilaterally, four of them each approximately 1cm. My PA said they all felt within normal limits and not to worry; but the same anxiety and fear has returned!! My questions are
1) I am now dating a virgin who I am in love with and am deathly afraid of infecting with anything. Can i be completely confident that I don'y have HIV and be able to move forward with this relationship without worry?
2) Is it possible for anyone to test neg at 7 months but still be positive?? Some websites claim very rare window periods over 6 months have occurred.
3) Will a 3rd test give any relief??
Please help!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your concerns about HIV are not appropriate.  Your history of exposures is low risk and most importantly and most definitively, you have been tested, not once but twice.  This proves that you do not have HIV.  The stories of delayed window periods are myths that do nothing other than to worry people who have no reason for worry.  Your situation, like that of many of our clients represents a great example of the power of the internet not only to inform but also to mislead.  While there is much useful information available on the internet, much of it is also taken out of context or a bit unbalanced and some of it is just plain wrong.  Please stay off of the internet.

As for your questions:

1.  Yes, believe your test results and have confidence that you do not have HIV.
2.  See above.
3.  It really does not matter if you test a 3rd time or 30 more times, the results are not going to change.  You do not have HIV.  I hope my comments will help you to stop worrying and move forward.  EWH  

[Scaredd12345]

Thank you for your response Doctor. I have been urged by my Doctor and my friends to not worry about this any further, but there still persists this doubt in my mind. There are times throughout the day when I feel fine but then at random times I will start to think about it and get worried about all the “what ifs,” and then I feel this rush of panic come over me (It's usually when I am alone). I’ve considered seeing a therapist and I have been reading your past threads which I have provided a great deal of help. I am very impressed by the advice you and Dr. Hansfield have given, but sometimes I just feel like I will never shake this doubt. Should I see a therapist?? Do you have any strategies to stop thinking about this? And can you tell me what the accuracy of the test truly is after 6 months to the nearest decimal that you can; and the accuracy combined with another test at 7 months. Please.
Thank you for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you cannot shake the idea that you migh thave HIV despite all you have read and know, talking with a therapist may be a good idea.  

Asking for the probability of having a positive test of any sort at 6 or 7 months is another example of your inappropriate anxiety over the possility of HIV.  Your risk is less than 0.001%.  To try to define that further is silly and an exercise in futility.

Try to move on.  You do not have HIV.  EWH

[Scaredd12345]

Dr. Hook,
I did take one more HIV test on Monday which is just over 8 months after my last exposure. The results were again non-reactive but I still cannot shake this fear so I have made the necessary step to make an appointment with a therapist this week.
This extended window period still bothers me because when I read about the cases, it said the patients were co-infected with Hepatitis C or they had a weakened immune system. My questions are
1) If my immune system was weakened enough for me to not make antibodies post infection; would i be obviously sick?? Were the presented cases of hep C with HIV, chronic hepatitis with liver failure?? Is there any literature or proof on this case?
2) Would it be beneficial for me trusting my past results to order blood work for Igs and viral hepatitis serology so that I know for a fact that my immune system is not weakened.
I know I must sound crazy with all of this worry but the thought that this could still be possible still drives me crazy. When I still feel the lymph nodes in my neck and inguinal, it just brings back all of these fears.
Thank you for all of your help  and I will not bother you further after your next response.

[avonelle38]

I do not mean to hijack your thread or interfere, but you do not have HIV. To continue to pester Dr. Hook with all of your "what if" questions is a waste of his valuable time as well as your own. Despite his multiple reassurances, you tested again... and surprise, it was negative- as he said it would be. You were advised to stay off of the internet and I fully agree. It is doing nothing but fueling your anxiety, and it is way past time to let go of this and move on with your life. The hep C case you are referring to has absolutely nothing to do with yourself, as you are not a healthcare worker who was stuck with a needle from a patient infected with HIV and Hep C. Stop making up all these "what if" scenarios, especially in the face of PROOF that you do not have HIV!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have nothing more to say. continuuing to test is a waste of your time.  EWH