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HIV tests/Symptoms

Hi Doctor,

I had an exposure three years ago with a sex worker. The condom broke during vaginal sex. I really can say when it broke, so I don't know how long I was expose. I started a relationship with my current girlfriend about 2 1/2 years ago. We have been having unprotected sex. She had a test before be started and was negative. We have been only with each other since then.

I have been experiencing all kinds of symptoms for the last 6 months: dry mouth, joint pains, white tongue, weight loss, boils on my back etc. I must say that I have been stressed out over this for some time now. In July 2010, I did three rapid test which were all negative. Given that the symptoms continued, I did the HIV 1/0/2 ICMA and the HIV-2 EIA tests at labcorp in August 2010. Both tests were negative/non-reactive. I did another rapid test for HIV 1/2 at the end of August which was again negative.

So, my questions are:
1. Can I conclude that I am ok based on the exposure three years ago?
2. Is there anyway that I could have infected my girlfriend two ago and by having sex we develop a strain of the virus that is not detected? In other words, that has mutated?
3. What can cause these symptoms? I tests for diabetes, other STDs, thyroid....all negative or normal.
4. Can stress over an extended period of time cause these symptoms?

many thanks for your prompt response.

regards

Peaks
4 Responses
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The answers are obvious from my reply above.  If it were otherwise, I would not have said your test results are 100% reliable.  Every person infected with HIV produces antibodies, and the antibodies last as long as the patient survives.

Try to stop obsessing about HIV, regardless of what symptoms you may have now or may develop in the future.  It isn't normal to have such difficulty accepting the truth in the face of such overwhelming evidence and repeated reasoned reassuarnce.  If you cannot get beyond your concern, it suggests a need for professional counseling.

That will be all for this thread.  This forum can't help you any further.
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Avatar universal
Doc,

A few quick questions. Does everyone produce antibodies once infected and are those antibodies always present throughout the infection and reinfection?

regards,

peaks225
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Doctor,

Many thanks for your quick and concise response. The reason I did so many test is because whenever I start to feel comfortable about being HIV negative, something else develops which cause me to question the results. Maybe it is from the long-term stress which I have been under.

many thanks again.

Peaks
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum.

The standard HIV tests are extremely reliable.  You had a relatively low risk exposure 3 years ago, since most sex workers don't have HIV and the virus is rarely transmitted during any single episode of unprotected sex.  But even if you had a very high risk exposure, your multiple test results prove beyond doubt that you were not infected.  The biggest question here is why you have had so many tests and are having such trouble believing the results. I'm sure the doctors or clinics where you were tested reassured you about it in no uncertain terms.  Your symptoms don't sound like HIV either.

1) Yes, for sure.

2) Since you don't have HIV, you could not have infected your girlfriend.

3) We don't speculate on non-HIV causes of symptoms.  Seeing your personal physician is the best way to find out.

4) Whenever a person suspects stress or other psychological origin for his or her own symptoms, usually s/he is correct.

You can relax about HIV.  For sure you don't have it.

Regards--  HHH, MD
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