PCRDNA Question for HIV2

Hello Dr. H,

I have a question. I had an encounter with a girl in Venezuela (unknown status) last Feb. We had protected sex and I don't think the condom broke.

However, being nervous, I went in and got a PCRDNA test at 6 weeks and 9 weeks after possible exposer and it was negative. I also took a Home Access test at 12 weeks at it was also negative. My doctor gave me an Elisa test (HIV1) at 6 months and it was negative as well.

I talked to the place down in LA where I took the PCRDNA test and they stated it also looked for HIV-2 and since that I was negative twice, that I was ok. My PCP also believes I'm fine and that I need to stop worrying about this.

Please let me know what you think. Do I need to take an Elisa HIV-2 specific test. Should I even worry about it?

Thank you for your help!!

T

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You are being overly concerned; I would not have recommended any testting except an HIV-1 ELISA test the first time you visited the doctor.  There was no indication for PCR testing.  Consider the odds:  Let's say a 10% chance your Venezuelan partner has HIV. Then roughly 1 chance in 1000 you would catch it from her, without a condom.  Then assume condom is 90% protective (it's probably closer to 99%).  With those assumptions, the odds you caught HIV were 1 in 100,000, probably more like 1 in a million.  An HIV ELISA 6 weeks later will pick up over 99% of infections; so that negative result would have reduced your chance of having HIV to somewhere between 1 in 10 million to 100 million--longer odds than most state lotteries!  So your 2 PCR tests and the Home Access test (which is just another ELISA)--which together probably cost you or your health insurance at least $500--were wasted.  Your PCP should have advised you against testing (perhaps s/he did that but you insisted).  No you don't need a separate HIV-2 ELISA; not only have you been tested, but HIV-2 is rare in South America.

By now you know my response to your last question:  No, you shouldn't worry about it.  Your PCP is right.

Sorry for the long response; my intent isn't just to lecture you, but to document for other forum readers why they also shouldn't get very worked up about HIV risk after a single high-risk sexual exposure.

Happy Thanksgiving--  HHH, MD

[rook_pup]

Thank you Very Much Dr. H!! You are correct, this little experience in Venezuela cost me some big time cash over the last 10 months.

I will put this to rest. If there is anything I could do to contribute money to a charity for you, please let me know. I would rather it go there then to the Labs!!

thanks again!