Questions

[arnoldg]

Hi,
I have had a few experiences which would seem to rank among “low” and/or “no” risk situations here. I have been tested in the past, I have a history of obsessing about this. Rather than going into detailed scenarios I would like to ask a few questions in regards to exposures, symptoms and testing.
I hope I am foolish to be asking.
1. Would being sick with flu effect the amount of antibodies in your blood and thus impact the accuracy of the test result when taken during this time?
2. While flu symptoms and fever are consistent with ARS, after one of my experiences I had bad bronchitis/chest infection, which had heavy coughing and required antibiotics. This was accompanied by a temperature. Is this consistent with ARS or not because it was with bronchitis?
3. After fingering a girl (who it turned out was working nights as a strip club) vigorously I masturbated myself with the same hand and also used the same hand to put on a condom before sex. Is this a risk?
4. My girlfriend recently experienced a sore stiff neck (which as it came and went I attributed to a muscle strain) which had also caused a headache. Is this consistent with ARS? (I worry if I put her at risk)
5. Is hands with vaginal fluids touching a hand with cuts (not bleeding) a risk
6. Is hands with vaginal fluids touching small cuts a risk
7. Is 6 weeks accurate for a test?
8. Is 10 weeks accurate for a test

Thank you doctor.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As i said above, I see no risk in the activities you ahve described. EWH

[arnoldg]

Thanks. Her only exposure would have been to me, and from kissing my neck with bad shaving cuts only a couple of hours old. My risks were outlined above.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This does not sound like ARS.  If you (or she is worried) however  the way to tell is with testing, not by trying to guess if you have the ARS or not.  EWH

[arnoldg]

Thanks doctor. Re: point 4, if this was in the absence of fever would it not be ARS then? There was no fever or other illness, pain was relieved by a physio session, and came back after a day of walking etc.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

welcome to the Forum. You do not provide much information but I will try to briefly answer your questions.

1. Would being sick with flu effect the amount of antibodies in your blood and thus impact the accuracy of the test result when taken during this time?
No

2. While flu symptoms and fever are consistent with ARS, after one of my experiences I had bad bronchitis/chest infection, which had heavy coughing and required antibiotics. This was accompanied by a temperature. Is this consistent with ARS or not because it was with bronchitis?
Bronchitis symtoms are not typical of the ARS.

3. After fingering a girl (who it turned out was working nights as a strip club) vigorously I masturbated myself with the same hand and also used the same hand to put on a condom before sex. Is this a risk?
No.  No one has EVER been infected through masturbation, even when they have just masturbated another person.

4. My girlfriend recently experienced a sore stiff neck (which as it came and went I attributed to a muscle strain) which had also caused a headache. Is this consistent with ARS? (I worry if I put her at risk)
A stiff neck and headache can be part of the ARSD. PErson who are worried about the ARS should be tested- most (over 99%) find thathtey are not infected.

5. Is hands with vaginal fluids touching a hand with cuts (not bleeding) a risk
No risk.

6. Is hands with vaginal fluids touching small cuts a risk
Same as above, no risk.

7. Is 6 weeks accurate for a test?
6 week antibody tests detect over 95% of recent infections

8. Is 10 weeks accurate for a test
Yes.

9. Vitamins do not effect HIV test in any way.
EWH

[arnoldg]

And (oops) I omitted my last q:
9: Would taking vitamin supplements impact the accuracy of a test result.

[arnoldg]

Re: Point 4, sore neck lasted a week, was relieved by physio, came back when active/stressed.