A related discussion,
subtype e was started.
To whom it may concer,
I recently received my negative 6 week HIV test back and was extremely relived. However, I still feel extremely anxious and havent really been eating. My doctor prescribed me with Paxil to help with my anxiety which I've been taking for a little over 2 weeks now and really hope the drug is the cause of my lack of appetite. How confident can I be with the 6 week result. Any help would be appreciated.....thanks in advance!!!
Well Doc Ii guess you were right! I just got my definative 13 week test after unprotected vaginal sex with a Thai sex worker results, Negative for HIV!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks for your advice. All the worried wells reading this, I had a pretty high risk incident, and if I can get through this and still be HIV negative, I am sure your chances are much better! Stay safe! You will be allright!
The doctor will say a 40 day blood test for hsv is too soon. The recommended waiting period for the HerpeSelect, WesternBlot and Rapid BioKit are all 12-16 weeks. Some people will seroconvert (turn positive) in as little as 2-3 weeks, about half will seroconvert by week 6-8, and just about all will seroconvert by week 12-16. If you're already hsv1 positive, then it may take longer. Bottom line, the longer you can wait the higher the accuracy of a negative result.
I agree with the other poster. I have literally nothing to base this on except common sense, but I can't imagine that the transmission rate of subtype E would be that much greater than subtype B. If it were, I would think it would soon overtake subtype B both in Asia and then around the world, and cause an explosion in new HIV cases everywhere. I'm looking forward to hearing Dr. Handsfield's reply :-)
I have a feeling the DR. will have more faith in the 40 day ELISA than the 24 day PCR.
For the strain to be that much more contagious, I find it hard to believe it is not more widespread.
Thanks for everyone's comments! Dr M.D.HHH, it is very reassuring to hear from you that you are convinced I am 100% HIV free! That is the best news of my life! I will still get a 3 month Elisa test just because I think it will allow my mind to let go of the fear.
As for subtype E transmission, I read the info on the web at:
http://www.thailandguru.com/health-hiv.html
"Using mathematical modeling, researchers estimated that the probability of female-to-male HIV-1 transmission per sexual contact was approximately 1 in 30 to 50 contacts; previous estimates for HIV-1 subtype B were estimated at 1 in 500 to 1000 contacts"
Sillybugger2, these transmission rates are for vaginal penile intercourse. Not oral. It has to do with more virus concentrated on the cervix of women. My odds of acquiring HIV are/were FAR greater than yours of oral sex. In fact, I have read the chance for oral are around 0.5 per 10000 episodes, or 1 in 20,000. Relax! There is overwhelmingly good odds your flu like syptoms are not from ARS.
Monkeyflower,
in SouthEast Asia over 90% of HIV infections are subtype E, and only near 10% B. We are also seeing a higher % of E infections occurring in the USA and other parts of the world.
Thanks for everyones comments!
My exposure was in Singapore too
The bit about A/E being more transmissible was really something I didn't need to hear. I am waiting for my 6 week, 3 day HIV test result at the moment and have had/have every symptom that has been listed as being possible primary HIV infection related night sweats, fevers, aching muscles, sore throath, sore lymph glands neck (for 5 weeks), arms, groin and even at the back of my knees. I have just started to get more pronounce symptoms in the last few days - this has been going on now for 5 weeks and is driving me mad.
When you were gathering the stats on the transmission rates i.e. 1-30 and 1-50, did you happen to see if the transmission rate was also increased for oral sex?
Had these strains also got different 'window' periods?
Your test results mean you can be 100% confident you don't have HIV. I would not have recommended PCR testing, as a waste of time and money--but the negative result is quite definitive, as is the negative antibody test at 6 weeks. Your symptoms do not suggest either HIV or herpes (or any other STD). I don't know what is going on with the penile symptoms, but if a dermatologist reassured you nothing important was going on, there is no reason not to believe him.
I can't say anything about relative transmissibility of HIV subtypes; not my area of expertise. But I am quite certain that the average transmission risk of any subtype is nowhere near the high risk numbers you quote. Anyway, the vast majority of Thai women, including commercial sex workers, are not HIV infected.
Most people develop HSV antibodies within 6 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months. However, your negative result at 6 weeks plus lack of symptoms of herpes can be taken as 100% reassurance you don't have it.
Good luck-- HHH, MD