Hello,
I posted on 4/17/08 with a detailed description of my experience. The responses I've received have made me hopeful that my test results were believable, especially with respect to the kind of risk to which I was exposed.
My test results were:
Negative at 9.0 weeks post-exposure via Bayer Centaur HIV 1/O/2
Negative at 12.7 weeks post-exposure via Oraquick Advance Rapid HIV 1/2
The concern I'm having is that 4 days after my 9-week test, I came down with what I thought was a sinus infection (lots of pressure around the eyes, top and back of the head - somewhat different than previous sinus infections I've had) so my doctor prescribed me Zithromax over the phone. What I forgot to mention, and didn't think was important, was that I also started on Nasonex corticosteroid nasal spray at the same time and took 2 sprays in each nostril each day up to the time of my Oraquick test.
So I've been on corticosteroid nasal spray for roughly a month and have unfortunately read that such medication can inhibit immune response and potentially make antibodies to HIV undetectable via the aforementioned tests. Is this possible?
Given my entire situation, can I rely on my 13-week results? To be honest, I'm still worried because of what I've read regarding corticosteroids and because my throat, head, and knuckles still bother me.
Thanks for your help.