Interpretation of HIV tests below.

[worriedpleaseadvise]

Only provide educated, biasfree, scientific answers please, no judgement or rude comments. Thank You:)

I had unprotected insertive sex (I am the top) on 4 occasions with an individual who was unaware of his hiv status at the time. He said he believes he received it from his ex approximately 3 months ago and was not on meds at the time of our intercourse. I am unsure of when my tests are definitive as many doctors have differing views but I have had a persistent sore throat for some time, with thick mucus, no cough, and swollen glands in my neck.

Below are my tests. Please advise me if you have a background in Infectious diseases or HIV. Not if your a random individual who isn't a health profession looking to give your opinionated advice. Don't mean to be rude but I'd like legitimate answers please and thank you!

-Negative Antibody Blood work (Prior to first exposure with no sexual partners in the last 3 months)-(Full STD/STI Blood work and Urine Sample- ALL CLEAR)
-Negative DNA proviral, antibody (1 week since last exposure)
-Negative RNA- (2.5 week since last exposure)
-Negative Antibody (blood work)- (3.5 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative DNA, antibody-(4 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative Oraquick Antibody Oral Test-(4.5 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative Oraquick Antibody Oral Test (6.5 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative Oraquick Antibody Blood Test-(7 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative RNA Qualitative and Antibody- (8 weeks since last exposure)
-Negative RNA Qualitative and Antibody- (12 weeks {84 days} since last exposure)

When I say last exposure, that is the date from the very last time I had unprotected insertive intercourse with him. And when I say negative in reference to the PCR tests I mean undetectable/not-detected viral load from the RNA and negative anitbody. I'm scheduled to test at 4 months/16 weeks, 5 months/20 weeks, and 6 months/24 weeks still per my GP recommendation. But would you consider the above tests conclusive? Would the 12 week/84 day test be considered conclusive with antibody testing alone after a definite exposure with a known HIV positive sexual partner? Would 84 days not be conclusive because its not 90 days? Some doctors informed me I have to wait 6 months for definite exposure even if I am not immunocompromised or on any PEP, Chemo etc. Should I be worried about the 4,5, and 6 month tests since I have swollen glands in my neck (symptoms) with the possibility that I have not seroconverted yet, or am HIV positive with an undetectable viral load without meds at these given times. I am going continue to test but do I have anything to worry about? Should I look into alternate reasons why I have a persistent sore throat and swollen lymph nodes/glands in the neck? I am in college, 20 years old, healthy and suffer from no illness or disease other than a deviated septum which makes me susceptible to sinus infections and increased allergies but I have been feeling fatigued for the past few months since I was informed of the individuals status (although I am in college and get little sleep). Could it be possible that I'm just stressed out and having difficulty accepting my test results? I would greatly appreciate advice. I realize it was a poor decision and understand I made a mistake, but I would like to know your interpretation of my results.

THANK YOU SINCERELY. PLEASE RESPOND!

[mkh9]

Sooo glad for you that you are free and clear of the stress and worry of this. And, happy you are doing so well. Congratulations on your graduation as well. I know you will succeed and do great in your future. I'm glad I was there to help you through this. It makes my life better to help someone.
Happy Summer to you too.
mkh9

[worriedpleaseadvise]

THANK YOU SO MUCH :)

I cant thank you enough for your advice and support.
I finished the testing. Tested RNA/Antibody in February, March, April, and May (The 6 month mark)

All were negative and undetectable viral load. So I'm officially 100% undoubtedly, without question, IN THE CLEAR!

Health and best wishes to you, I am grateful for your help.
I graduated and have a new job. Things are looking up and I learned from this mistake and putting it in the past. Psychologically I have sought a therapist and I'm getting my mental health, sanity, and happiness back one day at a time.  

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! Happy Summer!

[worriedpleaseadvise]

I hope I'm clear and negative. I don't mean to sound like an obsessed worry person and not that I want pity because we all make are own decisions both intelligent and unintelligent ones, but the last 4 months of my life have been miserable, I stopped working out in the gym (I'm an active college student), I struggle to focus in my classes, and I have an overall fear constantly on my mind of "what if." I'll be sure you let you know how the 6 month test goes. I graduate on the 5 month test so I'll have to find another STD specialist who will order me a 6 month test in a new location, with a new doctor, and I don't want to pay out of pocket through a private company. I did it 5 times because my GP wouldn't order the PCR he said because of the rate of false positives and that's only for high risk exposure (I said I had 4 encounters of unprotected insertive anal sex with a man who didn't know of his HIV status and could have had an extremely high viral load and the virus in his rectum which came in contact with my penis-----That's not high risk enough?) so it was $300 a piece (plus a 40$ surcharge or something from labcorp which I was unaware about) so it cost me over $1,500 plus labcorp is sending debt collection mail. I was a poor college kid and now I'm even poorer ha. Thank you for your advice, and for your good wishes. I sincerely appreciate it. Many don't understand how stressful it is. My doctor told me not to worry, just wait 3 to 6 months. "Not to worry"? About a life changing disease, that would shorten my life span, change my relationships, and hurl me into depression. Okay doc. -___-
I'm happy that you can relate, and that you were okay :)
I'm hoping for the same for myself and I can't thank you enough for the thoughts and understandin
g. I don't regret spending all my money (and credit) on the tests, because you truly do pay for piece of mind. I have since found a specialst who ordered my 6 month testing through insurance but here I am still sweating.
Thank you so much. I'll let you know when I get my final results. Wishing you all the best and good health!

[mkh9]

I really think you are negative given all the info you have given. But it is good to follow up just to complete the course. I don't know why your lymph nodes are swollen and sore throat. If these symptoms were related to the HIV it would have shown up by now on a test. Lymph nodes do take a few months to go down but I don't know why the sore throat is hanging in there. But let me know how your 6 month goes. Try to forget about it. The 3 month really is the one that they call negative or when you are clear. But for those that are immuno-compromised they suggest the 6 month. I doubt very much that you would convert,given your good health history. Try not to stress and try to go about your life. I did have one close call as a clinical microbiologist. I was stuck by a needle from a patient that was HIV positive back when they had no good treatments. It was very scary. I sweated out each result. All turned out negative. But now that they know more at least you know what to expect. Geese.
take care,
mkh9

[worriedpleaseadvise]

I received PCR assays along with antibody, for early direct HIV detection, at 1, 2.5, 4, 8, and 12 weeks some were qualitative DNA and some were qualitative RNA tests.

Again, I appreciate your response and thank you for your time!

[worriedpleaseadvise]

Thank you for your response.

What the last poster said are the tests that I have already received. When I say RNA I mean RNA PCR Test (window period supposedly 2-3 weeks) and when I say DNA I mean DNA PCR proviral test (window period supposedly 3-4 weeks). The 12 week test was a blood sample from Labcorp via my vein as well as all of the combined PCR/Antibody tests and most of the antibody tests alone except one was based on oral saliva. I have no fever. I have been tested for mono recently because a classmate was diagnosed with mono and my GP told me that I don't have mono. I only have swollen lymph nodes in the neck and my GP felt for swollen nodes in the groin and armpits, but my GP said not to worry, however I have since seen an HIV specialist in New York. I am healthy, don't get sick easily, and have no issues with my immune system. I rarely get the flu even without a flu shot and generally don't have colds. I am unable to get my CD4 ratio taken because I don't know where or how to get the test taken. I do smoke, and have for the last two years however I quit a few weeks ago but have had the persistent sore throat for some time. I am going to get the final test at 6 months either way, I'm just worried about the possibility of seroconverting at 4,5,and 6 months. All tests I have taken PCR have been undetectable/not-detected and all antibody tests have been negative. I've had these swollen lymph nodes/sore throat throughout the entire course of my testing both PCR and antibody.

[mkh9]

I am a microbiologist (not a doctor). So I would like to give you my advise too. I think what the last poster said is really good and I would do that too. I Think so far you are looking great. Generally they call 3 months negative as you said. Was the  12 week last test a blood sample too? The one month oratest was very accurate too. Yes there is always the worry about seroconversion and how good your immune system is. Well I wonder do you have a fever? Have you been tested for mono? Because you also have symptoms of that and it may have nothing to do with HIV. With mono you have a fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes  in the arm pits and under the neck and fatigue. I am just asking to rule that out. Do you normally have a good immune system and don't get sick very often? I don't count allergies and sinus infections. I mean lots of colds and flu etc.? Have you had your CD4/CD8 ratio taken? Also, what about a complete blood count to look at your cells? It might be good to do if you can squeeze the time in. I really think you are in the clear. But it is best since you have swollen lymph nodes and sore throat for a while, that you may get final test at 6 months so that you don't have to worry and /or get the test the other post said. I want to help you feel better. Usually, I tell people they are in the clear at 3 months. But you have mono like symptoms so you should check that out. They do  mono spot test for that and the CBC. Feel free to write if you have any questions. Again I don't think you will sero convert later because if you had the swollen lymph nodes and sore throat when you took your last test you would have come up positive. I hope that makes sense.

[ashler1977]

This is a mail I received from a Professor from a very important European University. I wrote her because of my unexplained tongue problems (see my profile for more info). Hope this will calm you:

Dear Mr XXXXX,

from what you tell me it seems unlikely that you have received an HIV -infection at this past event. HIV-antibody -tests become usually positive up to 6 weeks after infection and remain positive thereafter.

To confirm the data finally you can ev let make an  HIV-PCR assay, direct virus detection, highly sensitive. If also this is negative (what is likely) I would exclude that you had been infected with HIV in this past event described.