Putting fears to rest

[kbat2012]

Gentlemen,
About 7 months ago I had protected sex with a young college student from Maryland.  The condom broke on the shaft and set mu up for a hell of a six months.  About a week later I exhibited symptoms of a cold, no fever, sweats, or anything major flu like.  It still freaked me out as one night stands are very out of character for me.  I had a rapid clear view test done at 9.5 weeks that returned negative.  Because I am paranoid I repeated the rapid test at the same clinic at 5 months, 5.5 months (I also had a western boot done at another clinic), and a final clearview test done at 6 months 5 days.  All came back negative.  I am a generally health 23 year old military male with no known history of immune problems nor any kind of medication regularly.  My questions are,

1. Can I consider myself HIV negative and get on with my life?
2. How risky was my onetime exposer to a girl of unknown background?
3. Have you ever seen seroconversion after 6 months?

I realize I'm being a bit paranoid, honestly it is due to the fact that I love my job in the military and desire to try out for special operations one day, although a positive result would not kick me out of the military, my biggest goal would be dashed so I wanted to ask an expert.  Thank you for your patience and your expertise.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  This exposure you describe was low risk and you subsequent results prove that you did not get HIV,  in answer to your questions:

1.  Your results are conclusive.  Antibody tests such as you had are conclusive after 8 weeks.  Thus you have multiple tests which prove you do not have HIV,  believe the results.

2.  This was a relatively low risk exposure.  Fewer than 1 in 10,000 heterosexual women have HIV, only 1 in 1000 exposures to infected partners leads to infection.

3.  No I have not seen someone seroconvert 6 months after exposure.

I hope these comments help.  Take care.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Taking workout and strengthening supplements will not affect your HIV test results un any way,,  please don't worry.  EWH

[kbat2012]

Thank you doctor for your quick response.  I have a final question for you that I did my remember until after I posted the question.  I, like many soldiers, take workout supplements that that involve testosterone boosters and I was wondering if that would have any effect on testing?  I do not see how it would but I just wanted to cover my final base.  

Thank you very much for your time and expertise.  This is my final question and I have begun to put this behind me.  Thank you again.