HIV: Stress suppress the immune system

[tobyt]

Hi Doctors. I have been reading alot and I mean alot about HIV and had some questions. I like some others on this forum had virginal sex with a CSW and the rubber broke. Being totally stressed to the stage of not eating, dropping lots of weight and thinking about dying everyday for about 2 to 4 months changed my life for ever. Reading comments on th forum about window periods both doctors mentioned that the only things that can increase the window period is HIV anti medication, PEP, people with cancer treatment and people with a suppressed immume system. I understand that high levels of stress can suppress the immune system ( the type that I have been through as you can understand going through this every minute of the day for months). 1)Could this have an effect in prolonging my window period at all or is there any chance on earth that it could effect my window period by increase the time it takes for HIV antibodies/antigen to be produced? . I have read that the  odds are close to being hit by a space rock but jokes aside2) what are my chances of having caught HIV after a negative duo at 3 months and then 5 months? This my relate to question 1 but in your experience as a doctor and scientist dealing with HIV related issues everyday,3) can I get or have HIV beyond this time frame in away?. I understand that the new tests for HIV such as the one I had has brought the window period down to levels of 6-8 weeks as you suggest often.  4) Would you suggest any more testing taking into account the huge amounts of stress that I have had and any affect that it could have in prolonging my window period due to my immune system. If it had been affected? 5)Other than being hit by a space rock what are my odds for HIV? The odds of being hit by a meteorite is stated at 1 in 700000 by a astronomer hence why I would prefer a different example or a real figure. Thanking you in advance

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Oh good grief.  This is a waste of my time and your emotional energy.  It is not possible that you have HIV or that you will ever have a positive test, if you are not exposed to the virus in the future.  Move on.  If you cannot, get counseling.  It is not normal to be so resistant to such overwhelming evidence and common sense.

That's all for this thread.  Any more of this and the entire thread will be deleted without further reply.  And do not start a new thread with the same questions; it would suffer the same fate, without refund of the posting fee.

[tobyt]

All my tests were negative. My concern was that perheaps if in a few years I might find out that I did get HIV after the tests that I had which where negative. As in HIV antibodies started after my last (5month) test, hence why I asked if its possible in any way that I could have HIV later in life after my negative tests from this exposure?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

OK, now I'm confused.  What do you mean you "did have HIV from the last test..."?  That's pretty crucial information to have omitted from your original question!  Did you have a false positive result in the past?  If so, it should make no difference in interpretation of your more recent test results.  But please explain.

[tobyt]

Thanks. My only concern excluding stress prolonging HIV was finding out in a couple of years that I did have HIV from the last test that I had. That is what really scares me.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You are asking me to answer the same questions with different words. Re read my replies above and pay attention this time.  I already said it is not possitlbe for stress to make your HIV tests negative after several months.

[tobyt]

I wanted to clarify Q3 as it may have been misunterstood or I might have written it the wrong way. I understand that the tests that I had are HIV negative and that the tests are accurate but what I wanted to know was if my body not the test could start to produce HIV antibodies after the period of 5 months after my last test or to put it lightly, Can HIV show up after 5 months from my situtation?. From an assurance point impossible is very reassuring and I love the real statistics you give. When you say my chances of HIV are lower, would you put it in the billions or less?  Thanking you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  These issues have been discussed innumerable times so the replies will be brief.

1) The effects of stress on the immune system are minor and they do not include any effect on timing or reliability of HIV test results.
2) Zero.  With those test results, it is impossible you have HIV.
3) You correctly state the current understanding about HIV test results.
4) You do not need any more testing.
5) I cannot vouch for 1 in 700,000 of being hit by a meteorite.  That seems too high to me, though.  Maybe that's the lifetime risk, not annual risk.  Anyway, the chance you have HIV is even lower.

It is time for you to accept the reality that you did not have HIV and move on with your life.  There will be no responses to any "yes but", "what if", or "did you really mean" follow-up questions.  There is nothing you can say that would change my opinion or advice.

Regards--  HHH, MD