lasik, medications and HIV1/2 antibody test

[mk12]

Dr. HHH,
   How are you doing? I don’t know how to get answers, because I don’t know of any HIV specialist.

My question is

I got tested for HIV antibody test 1 and 2 recently two weeks back, after a high risk exposure 3 months back. The results came out to be negative. I used to use some hydrocortisone for a big pimple on my face for couple of months last year. I had a lasik procedure done to my eyes to get rid of my contact lenses, this was 6 months back. I am Diabetic, for which I take medication regularly for the past three years. I also had got an MRI scan and CT scan, six months back for my back pain and spine and X-ray done for a ligament tear in my foot, again six months back. I take hydrocodone for backpain. I have been taking antidepressant(leaxapro) in the past

1) Do you think because I had so many health problems in the past and so many surgeries, my body must have got immunesupressed?

2) Can I believe my HIV antibody test results as truly negative?
3) Do I need to get a PCR test?
4) Do you think getting a lasik procedure to the eyes might cause any kind of immunesuppression, and there for do I need a PCR test?
5) Do you think my MRI scan, CT scan and X-ray procedure might have caused any kind of immunesuppression and therefore do I need a PCR test?
6) Do you think me taking antidepressant Lexapro for couple of months in the past, might have caused any kind of immunesuppression and therefore do I need a PCR test?
7) Do you think a combination of all these might have affected my HIV antibody test result, by either increasing the window period or the antibody test failing?

I am sorry to ask you so many questions, but for the past two weeks, after I got my results, I am getting so many doubts.

Please help me. My mind is wandering with so many questions. Thanks in advance for your precious time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  the reason that hydrocortisone is used as a cream is so that it will not be absorbed and have systemic effects.  There is no meaningful immunosuppression due to hydrocortisone cream.
2.  Stress does not delay the production of antibodies.  No effect.
3.  Kissing, even with chapped or cut lips is NO RISK.  No one has ver gotten HIV from kissing, even open mouth, deep kissing.  You are not going to be the first person in history to get HIV by kissing.  

It is time for you to move on.  You are not at rsik for HIV.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It is not all that uncommon for persons who are concerned about potential exposures to have lingering doubts about the validity of their HIV test results.  Please do not be concerned - the tests are highly reliable and in your case, provide you with accurate information.  You do not have HIV.  In answer to your specific questions:

1.  No.  the presence of the problems you have had do not make you immunocompromised in a way that changes your risk for HIV.
2.  Yes, believe them
3.  Absolutely not.  A PCR test would be a waste of time and money.
4.  No.  the lasik procedure would be expected to have no effect.
5.  No, no immunosuppression from your radiological procedures.
6.  No, antidepressants do not cause immunosuppression
7.  No, no effect of these factors, even when considered in combination

Bottom line, your tests are negative.  You can be confident that the results are accurate.  EWH

[mk12]

To: Dr. EWH
Doctor EWH,
   Thanks for your response. could you please clarify the following concerns and i will be done and i will close this site. I am so tired searching for answers.
   1) You did not mention anything about the hydrocortisone cream that i used for the face and diabetes medication and a combination of all the therapies, surgery and medicines that i used.
   2) I was under lot of stress during the 3 months, did not sleep, did not eat, my mind was breaking. I also read that stress causes immunesuppression, will that effect the HIV antibody test result?
3) Talking about my recent exposure, i went to a strip club, and she kissed me on my cheek, two times, and i had sharp grown hair(slight beard) on my cheeks, and then she did a lip to lip kiss for a second or maximum two seconds, closed mouth. The problem was that i had chapped lips, broken lips and cuts on my lips, it was open, but nothing was actively bleeding. I was scared because what if her lips had blood from kissing me on sharp grown hair on my cheek and then kissing me on my cut lip. So it would become a blood to blood contact. That is why i am so worried. I have a one year old daughter, i cant concentrate on anything. Please answer.