Please help!

[soscared777]

Back July 3rd, I had unprotected vaginal sex with a man of unknown status. I had been with him a few times over the year. I became paranoid and starting testing for HIV. I had a 4, 7, 8, 11, and 13 week negative test with the Clearview Rapid at my local health dept. I also asked the man to take the new home Oraquik test, he said it was negative. However, I never actually saw it. Fueling my anxiety. I know they say 13 weeks would be conclusive. However, I have MS. I took  Copaxone for approx. one month from May- June. Does that effect "my" window period? Its now coming up on 16 weeks, should I have another test? My fear is a false positive from the MS as well, so I don't know what to do?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

From an HIV standpoint, you should be continuing unprotected sex with your husband.  If you have not done so, it would be wise to also be tested for common STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis).  If that's been done with engative results, then there are no worries on that account.  Also note my advice above about assuring your affair partner has no STDs.

That will wind of this thread for sure.  Good luck in working it out and getting beyond your guilt.

[soscared777]

Dr. H, I know you may not answer. One more question....the exposure I had was from having an affair. (can't believe I just said that) so yes, this is mostly quilt driven. Can I have sex with my husband without worrying I will infect him 100%. This is why my fear and anxiety has been through the roof.

[soscared777]

Thank you Dr. H. Im believing you, my Dr. probably doesn't know a lot about HIV. since there are only like 400 cases in my county of 240,000. Im sorry to have bothered everyone here on Medhelp with my constant anxious replies. I gives me comfort to hear advice from a DOCTOR. The community forum was helpful too, but I needed to hear from someone that REALLY knows.
Thank you again for your time.
Best wishes to you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No, I really don't.  You still have a responsbility (to yourself) to think objectively and act rationally..  Did you read the other threads I referred you to?  Sorry your doctor is behind the times, but that should not influence this.  Since development of the standard HIV tests in use the last 15 years, I'll bet nobody in the world ever had a positive HIV test at 6 months after being negative the the times yours were.  You aren't going to be the first, especially after the near-zero-risk sexual exposures you describe.

[soscared777]

Thank you for the reply. I understand and Im trying to move on. I am seeking help as I know this is all guilt and OCD driven. However, its MY Dr. that is saying I have to wait for 6 months. See where my fear is coming from now?!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You have had accurate replies on the HIV community forum.  Your test results are 100% reliable and prove you did not catch HIV.  There are few if any medical conditions that alter the window period or other aspects of HIV test reliability, and certainly MS and its treatments do not do so.  You should not have any more tests.

And if you want still more reassurance, why not talk with your partner and confirm he doesn't HIV?  It is statistically unlikely he is infected -- but perhaps to reassure you he would be willing to be tested.  If negative, you would know for sure you weren't exposed.

And please accept the following advice with the compassion with which it is intended.  Your resistance to the repeated, reasoned, science-based reassurance you have had -- certainly on MedHelp and probably from your own doctor(s) -- is a sign of a potentially serious mental health condition.  People with normal thought processes do not need such repeated reassurance.  I suggest you talk with your doctor about this, and if s/he suggests professional mental health care, I hope you will accept that advice and follow through.

For more information about HIV test reliability, see the thread linked below, as well as the others linked in that thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700

Our experience on the forum shows that when persons are as inappropriately frightened as you are, ongoing discussion simply generates more "what if" or "did you really understand" questions.  Trust me on this:  there are no circumstances that you could possibly think of that would change my opinion or advice.  Therefore, I won't respond.  There won't be any follow-up discussion.  This policy is in your interest.

Good luck with it all--  HHH, MD