Symptoms after 2 months, HIV Tests

[Worried_to_death_77]

Hello;

You may remeber me from my previous threads.  I opened a new thread for more questions:

Situation: I am 33 years old male, generally healthy but smoker.  I had a high risk exposure 10 weeks ago (vaginal intercourse with a high risk person, condom broke).  2 weeks after exposure I had an oral surgury and 6 weeks after exposure I had a complicated knee surgery and I was hospitalized for two weeks.  I was taking 2, 10 days courses of antibiotics after each surgery.

Symptoms: aside from normal flu symptoms that I assume are due to common cold, I developed mild but persistent sore throat 3 weeks after exposure which has been continious up to now.  I got white tongue as well which I think is bacterial and perhaps the reason for my sore throat.  for some reason my Doctor doesn't think it's serious.

Tests:  I had P24 test at day 15 which came back negative with normal white cell count.  I also had Antibody test after 8.5 weeks which came back negative.  However I am concerned that my immune system may be weakened in this period due to surgeries and antibiotics.  

Questions: does surgery and antibiotics weaken the immune system? if so, is it possible that my 8.5 weeks test is biased? Is it possible that my white tongue and sore throat due to HIV infection or no and Ishould seek independent treatment from an Ear,Nose, Troat specialist?

Regards;

[rahan294]

A related discussion, hiv was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"I still spend a couple of hours a day searching internet for new info".  I suggest you stop doing that.

I have neither the time nor the energy to re-read the Lancet paper.  It is one of many that make the same points. The reasons for different HIV transmission rates across various countries is complex and irrelevant to your concerns. I'm sure the paper's discussion goes into many of the reasons.

Test results tell whether or not someone has HIV; symptoms and exposure history never do.  It is clear your anxities are making you impervious to my reassurance.  Therefore, I will not try anymore.  Accordingly, this thread is over.  Any further comments will be deleted without reply.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The Duo is a 4th generation test, regardless of what country you are in.  In any case, the difference between early test "generations" and later ones is in whether or not they are positive by 2-3 weeks.  All antibody test generations 2-4 are reliably positive within 6-8 weeks.  You don't have HIV.  

[Worried_to_death_77]

Thanks doctor Hadsfield for your answer.

Just one note that I did the tests in Canada and not US.  I am not sure if they use 2nd generation or 4th generation ELISA tests in their lab.  Does it matter at all? (as 2nd generation ELISA takes longer for 100% reliability - say 95%?)

Regards;

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome back.

The combination of a negative P24 antigen test 2 weeks after the last possible exposure, and a negative antibody test at 8 weeks, prove that you did not catch HIV.  There are no medical conditions or medications that alter the reliability of HIV testing, with the possible exception of life-threatening illnesses like terminal cancer, or very potent chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs -- and even those are only theoretical, with few if any known cases of actual interference with HIV testing.  Surgery and antibiotics have no effect and the test results mean that your white tongue and sore throat cannot be due to HIV.  These might be the result of the antibiotic treatment.  I agree this doesn't sound at all serious and I see no need for an ENT specialist; probably it will clear up on its own over time.

Bottom line:  Definitely not HIV.  Continue to follow up with your personal physician if your symptoms persist or otherwise concern you.

Regards--  HHH, MD