hiv testing

[outdoorlife]

i had a possible high risk exposure on April 14 2014. I took an hiv antibody test at 4 weeks and several at 5 weeks post exposure which all came back negative. I took an Hiv Rna Pcr test at 5 weeks post exposure and the results came back none detected. I took an Hiv AG/AB 4th Gen test at 51 days post exposure and it came back negative. I have been extremely stressed out and have had anxiety problems since the possible exposure. Ive been taking clonazapem for about 5 weeks. Ive been showing symtoms for about 6 weeks. Trouble eating,weight loss, small rashes and red spots, low basal body temp, itching, night sweats.I havent noticed any fever or swollen lymph glands. I also have suffered from psoriasis most of my life.I stopped taking Humira back in September but did take one shot around the end of March. I was also on prednisone the entire month of march. Should my test results make me feel any better or do they mean nothing at this point.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Clients coming to this site get one of us or the other, not both.  FYI, we have now answered thousands of questions and just as in our practice, we do not deffer in our professional opinions or advice.

You need to move on.  This thread is closed.  EWH

[outdoorlife]

Im curious of your assessment on this.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

More repetition.  Correct. EWH

[outdoorlife]

So an HIV AG/AB 4th Generation test is conclusive if taken at 7 weeks post exposure? The test was performed by Quest Diagnostics.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Repetitive question - see above "(the 4th generation tests are conclusive 4 weeks following exposure)."  Third generation, antibody only tests now provide conclusive results 8 weeks following exposure.  EWH

[Confused3211]

4th generation at 8 weeks ? or 4 weeks ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks fo rthe additional detail.  None of this additonal information changes my assessment or recommendations.

The Humira you took would not effect your current test results although it does make you somewhat more vulnerable to other, chronic infections. That does not make your 4th generation test results unreliable however as this tests for the presence of the virus (antigen) as well as antibodies..

Some official sites and doctors who are conservative continue to recommend 3 molnths for testing despitre many compelling scientific studies which clearly demonstrate that 4th generation HIV tests are conclusive 8 weeks afer exposure.  EWH

[outdoorlife]

I really appreciate your quick response but I would like to elaborate a little if thats ok. 1. My body temp is around 95.5 when I wake up and will eventually get up to around 97,5. Not normal for me. My body temp always stayed around 98.4 until the last 5 weeks. 2. I havent noticed any swollen lymph nodes but I do have tenderness in my armpits and at the top of my leg near my groin. 3. I do have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis which are autoimmune diseases. 4. I took Humira for years for my condition but stopped taking it around Sept/Oct of 2013 because I had to have shoulder surgery and didnt take it again until the end of March, maybe the beginning of April of this year. 5. its my understanding that Humira is an immunosuppressant, so could the one shot of Humira I took before my possible exposure cause a delay in the production of a detectable amount of antibodys even for the 4th Generation test I took 51 days post exposure. 6. why do other doctors say 3 months is conclusive.                                                                                                                

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. Your results indicate that you did not get HIV from the exposure that you describe.  Your antibody tests at 4 and 5 weeks would have detected between 90 and 95% of recent HIV infections and the 4th generation test that you had at 51 days provides definitive results (the 4th generation tests are conclusive 4 weeks following exposure).  That you took prednisone the month before your exposure would have no impact on your subsequent test results.  

I suspect the symptoms you have described are, at least in part manifestations of the anxiety you are experiencing.  They certainly are not a manifestation of HIV- your tests prove this.

I hope this comment will help you to move forward without concern.  EWH