Relax; your doctors are right. I'll bet that in the history of the world, not one of the millions and millions of HIV infected persons acquired HIV by hand-to-genital contact with an infected person. The test results you describe are 100% reliable. Also, as I have said many times--this is the 4th or 5th time in the past 2 days--symptoms never are a reliable indicator of HIV infection. Finally, you have been reassured by at least 2 health care providers. I can do no more except repeat that reassurance. Assuming you have no other exposures aside from the one you describe, you are at no more risk for HIV than you would be by shaking hands with an infected person (i.e., zero); had you come to my clinic, I would have recommended against HIV testing.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You may want to reread Dr. Handsfield's response, particularly these sentences: "I'll bet that in the history of the world, not one of the millions and millions of HIV infected persons acquired HIV by hand-to-genital contact with an infected person," and "Assuming you have no other exposures aside from the one you describe, you are at no more risk for HIV than you would be by shaking hands with an infected person (i.e., zero)."
It doesn't matter if you were tested at 4 weeks or 40 weeks, since you couldn't possibly have contracted HIV from that exposure. You have nothing to worry about :-)
I share your concern, as I went through a similar experience and tested negative at 8 weeks. In addition, I may have had a skinned finger at the time. I noticed it was skinned the next morning and do not know when it happened.
My doctor also told me that I was at no risk and that actual intercourse would be necessary to transmit the virus. The websites that state you can get the virus from fingering if you had a cut or break in the skin cannot give any specific information, as this has never been documented as happening. Fingering with open cuts or sores represents a theoretical risk only. No one has ever contracted HIV by this type of potential exposure.
I agree with monkeyflower that it really doesn't matter when you tested, because you are not at risk.
The New York State Deparment of Health has a list of 100 questions and answers on its website related to HIV/AIDS. Question 39 is "How soon after exposure can HIV infection be detected." The first part of the answer is "With the HIV antibody tests used in New York State, virtually all people who are infected will test positive within one month of being infected. Most people will test positive even sooner."
So from this I guess you can infer that New York state believes that the testing window period is about one month for most people. I'm assuming that the tests in New York State use third generation technology. From what I have read elsewhere, first generation tests (like Home Access) can detect HIV antibodies about 5 to 10 days later than a third generation test, and that second generation tests (such as used by LabCorp) will detect HIV antibodies a few days earlier than the first generation tests.
Hope this is helpful. Best of luck.
I did have want to know if, I do have a rub my hands of my mouth. if I did that and honestly I can't remember if I did would that tranmit any thing to lips or mouth. Just crossed my mind becasue I do that all the time. Outside of that Nothing else. Also what are the risks for getting tested?
Dr HHH and other forum members thanks for the reassurance. I just want to make sure that my girfried was safe as a 4 week test is not the norm. By the way what is the actual window period using a 3rd Generation Elisa? and are they any different in 2005 then 4 years ago. thanks again. I feel much better.