antibiotics and hiv test accuracy

[joeworried]

I am a 53 year old male, and I visited a strip club in late May.  A stripper sat on my lap, and I fondled her vagina for a few minutes.  No deep fingering, but I did insert my middle finger into her vagina.  The next morning, I noticed that I had skinned the index finger of my hand, most likely from the fingernail of the middle finger (the one I used on the stripper).  There was no visible blood or scabbing, but I noticed this shortly after taking a shower.  The skinned area appeared to be moist and oozing a bit.  The size of the sore was about a quarter of an inch in diameter.  It is possible that this occurred while I was fingering the stripper.

About 5 weeks later I developed a sinus infection, and was given an antibiotic (augmentin) for 10 days by my doctor.  I still have some sinus drainage and coughing, so I don't think I've got this licked yet.

I had an hiv test performed at my doctor's office at 8 and 1/2 weeks following the incident with the stripper.  The test was negative.  My doctor told me that my risk of contracting hiv from this possible exposure was very low, but that I should get a confirmatory test at 6 months.

My questions are:

1.  Can the hiv virus penetrate skin that has been compromised but not bleeding, like my skinned finger?

2.  Does having a sinus infection (or any other infection) affect the rate at which hiv antibodies are produced, thus increasing the length of the window period?  In other words, does this affect the validity of the negative hiv test.

3.  Will the augmentin usage affect the hiv test results?

I'm intending to have a confirmatory test done sometime in the future as recommended by my doctor.  But I'm concerned that the current test result may not be accurate due to the sinus infection and augmentin usage.

Thank you for this wonderful and informative website.

[abyindia]

I went to strip bar 7 weeks ago and was gushed champahne which I just swallowed and kissed for 5 seconds by a girl whose hiv status is unknown there was no apparent blood on her lips nor any cut that I remmember on my lips ... Is there any fear of hiv . I am paranoid and had done a test on 10 days which was negative do I need to test again if yes can I test in seven to 8 weeks

[myv2006]

A related discussion, What Should I do now? was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, that is what I meant by "Having an infection will not affect development of a positive HIV test".

HHH, MD

[littlegirlscared]

I had unprotected sex with a man on May 26th. We had unprotected sex about 4-5 times. I went and had a HIV test done on 6-28 about 4 1/2 weeks after the exposure. The test came back negative. Is this realiable? Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since it cam back negative do you see any since in get retested?



Thanks so Much

[joeworried]

Just a quick followup question.  I interpret your response to my second question being that to the best of your knowledge, having an infection (viral or bacterial) between the time of potential hiv exposure and testing should not impact the hiv test window period or the result of the hiv test.  Correct?  This is what I was getting at.  Thanks again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Search the forum for "time to positive HIV test"; the answers are there.  People in your situation generally shouldn't seek HIV testing every time you have a new sex partner.  It's smarter to just plan on having an HIV test once a year.

HHH, MD

[joeworried]

Thanks for answering my questions.  Yes I have read many of the other questions and answers on this forum and understand that my negative test at 8 weeks is essentially 100% definitive.  I just wanted to make sure that having an infection or taking a prescription antibiotic during this 8 week period would not impact the negative test results.  I didn't think they would, but I'm no expert on this topic.  Thanks again for providing such a useful service.

[ebro]

I'm not a doctor, but I will till you this: you did NOT get HIV from the exposure you describe. HIV is a rather difficult virus to transmit, and if this is your only exposure, forget about it. if you want to be tested again to ease your anxiety, go ahead. but do it at 3 months, not 6 months.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

1) Is it possible HIV could be transmitted via an abrasion, as you suggest?  Perhaps.  Has it ever occurred?  Probably not; at least never documented.  Your doctor is correct on your low risk.

2) Having an infection will not affect development of a positive HIV test, to my knowledge.

3) No, Augmentin will not affect the likelihood of being infected or in developing a positive HIV test.

Your doctor is being hyper-conservative to recommend another HIV test at 6 months.  Three months is the standard recommendation, and as you probably have seen if you have reviewed other STD forum threads on this topic, you can be virtually 100% certain based on your negative result at 8 weeks.

Good luck--  HHH, MD