HIV testing

[JJ601]

I just received negative test results for HIV antibodies at a little under a day less than 8 weeks after exposure. The test was through labcorp and was panel 083824. Looking it up at labcorps site it says "Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1/O/2 (HIV-1/O/2) Antibodies, Preliminary Test With Confirmation". This seems clear to me that it tests for all types of antibodies including type 2 and 0. However when I inquired on the phone with the people who I did the testing through they said this test only MIGHT be effective for type two. This was an online testing site that prescribed the test and I also noticed they sell an expensive type 2 test along with the one I took as a an HIV 1/2 combo. They also say HIV 2 antibodies can take 6 months to show up. Seems like they are trying to take advantage of people with anxiety like me. Anyway, my questions are is the test conclusive for all types of HIV and is type 2 HIV still extremely rare. The possible exposure was a few episodes with a healthy woman from Pittsburgh who may have done IV drugs in her past. Thanks for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your syphilis tests, like your hIV tests are reliable.  You need to move on and stop worrying.  EWH

[JJ601]

That last post was made by me jj601. Funkydolphin was an old account I had I went on to research my past testing history. I forgot to sign out and log in as jj601.

[funkydolphin]

I did a little research and found that I definitely took syphilis tests of some kind in June of 2008 and May of 2009, meaning it is even more unlikely I went much more than a full year post unprotected sex without testing for syphilis. I probably have taken more syphilis tests during this off and on nightmare of worrying about stds since fall of 2007 just dont remember when. I am sorry for these anxiety driven questions but I still am curious about the long term reliability of syphilis RPR tests and if this recent tests is reliable for advanced syphilis given my lack of noticed physical symptoms and only heterosexual sex. Again thank you for your time; I am just seeking a cause for this anxiety.

[JJ601]

So you can see from past posts I have had a lot of anxiety with STDs. Now my head is spinning again and since Syphilis was the worry, I cant help but wonder if advanced Syphilis is contributing to my anxiety. I am pretty sure I have been tested after six weeks and within a year of my unprotected sex exposures. I am pretty sure I have been tested a bunch of times since 2008 with my first concern in the fall of 2007. I dont know if they were all RPR tests but the last one was as mentioned. With this ridiculous anxiety I wonder if I could have advanced syphilis from 2007 or 2008, if I did not in fact not get tested in 2008. Does the RPR test work years down the road? I saw an older post on here saying that it can become negative if one had contracted syphilis, but that is because the bacteria is "inactive". Does that mean gone? So my assumption is that my RPR test would be reliable for a possible 2007 exposure. With my negative RPR, having never noticed symptoms and only had heterosexual sex, can I be sure this test is accurate for any form of syphilis including advanced? Thank you so much for your time.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry for the typo, particularly if it is feeding your anxiety.  Your test results ARE RELIABLE and are to be believed.  EWH

[JJ601]

Thank you. The reason why I had to ask you again and still feel uneasy is your first response to my syphilis question starts with "There are reliable..." I think you meant to say "They are reliable..." in reference to my test results. If I interpret it as it is written then I feel like there is some doubt but If I interpret what I think you mean, then your responses make sense. Could you just clarify what you meant with the first part of your first response to my syphilis question. I am sorry I have let this stuff get to my head again and thank you for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Personally, I see no need for further testing and would not be worried, nor would I seek further testing if I were you.  EWH

[JJ601]

It seems pretty clear that I should no longer worry about syphilis then if/when this next rpr result comes back negative. My anxiety is high however. Should I get tested again at three months for a conclusive test. Or given the mentioned exposure (along with other with-condom exposures) and the absence of any noticed symptoms would you call this rpr test conclusive and/or do you recommend more testing. When you say "close to zero" I am assuming that is what you mean. This will be my last question on this thread and I thank you for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There are reliable although conventioanl wisdom is that "final assessment" of risk for syphilis should be conducted at 3 months folowing exposure, nearly everyone who had gotten syphilis would have a positive test at two months.  At this time, the chance that you will develop a postive syphilis test is close to zero.  EWH

[JJ601]

specifically, Syphilis RPR testing, sorry

[JJ601]

How reliable are my syphilis results from this exposure, a few days after 8 weeks from exposure?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  You can be confident that you do not have HIV.  At 8 weeks virtually everyone who is going to develop HIV antibodies will have done so. Furthermore, the test you took will give results for HIV-1, HIV-2 and type 0.  Unfortunately, laboratories tend to be all too wishy washy in their reporting of results - they seem to feel the cannot "afford" to be wrong and therefore make recommendations and guidelines which leave most people unnecessarily nervous for 4-6 weeks longer than the 6-8 weeks it takes virtually everyone to develop HIV antibodies.  

Believe your test results.  You are fine and do not need further testing related to this exposure.  EWH