Sum of all fears - part 2

[Ronin547]

Dear Dr Jose,
Hope all is well. Since you were aware of the symptoms and u suggested to see my dr regarding UC and Pentasa, I scheduled an appointment for next week (colonoscopy). However, after the described symptoms I felt back to normal last week and which is driving me nuts: Q1: what if the antibodies are done with their job... cos if the reason of symptoms was UC I think they should have persued till date. Q2: I will do my second test of Antibody on day 75 .. how assuring/conclusive would it be and do you suggest to take another test such as viral load for a conclusive result. Q3: If i've got hi viral load and licked a top of a yogurt cap with no visibile blood and straight afterwards my 1.8 yrs son licked it, would there be HIV risk? Q4: would HIV symptoms of newly infected kids of 18months and beyond resemble those of adults? I know it is paranoia but soon it will be over whether posi or nega as long as family are ok.. Thanks a lot Dr Jose, you rock.

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
You really need to calm down.  As mentioned before, I am very sure that you do not have HIV.  Let me answer each of your questions here below:
Q1: Ulcerative colitis can have flare-ups and remissions, so it could certainly still be related to that; and your symptoms were not typical of HIV sero-conversion anyway.  Therefore I do not believe your assumption about the symptoms and the antibodies.
Q2: I am sure that it will be negative and I believe that you can consider it final and conclusive.  Antibodies would be detectable in most cases after 6-8 weeks.  Therefore at almost 11 weeks, it will be conclusive and you would not need to have any further tests.  Also it will exclude the possibility that your symptoms had anything to do with HIV sero-conversion.
Q3: No risk at all for your child.
Q4:  Yes, they would be similar.  But that is irrelevant here as your child was not at risk.
The rash that you are talking about is not the typical maculo-papular rash of HIV sero-conversion affecting trunk and extremities.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[Ronin547]

Dear Dr,
Beside the aforementioned questions, I forgot to describe in my symptoms the 'itchy pimples' related to Dec. 15 (2 weeks after last exposure), I had 2 on my belly front, one on my lower back, one on my upper back, 2 on my left arm wrist and one my left foot. They were like insect bites and very itchy. and the same type occurred on my left tricep around 8 very itchy pimples insect like. I am mentioning this now cos it was the cause of my prime fear since I saw on one of the websites that some of the HIV rashes occur on Abdomen, Hands, and Legs and this is what happened to me. Hence, beside the four questions that I addressed above, and most of all, do those pimples outbreak ring an HIV alarm??? please Dr cos tomorrow I'm running the test but I am almost 100% convinced I am infected with suicidal thoughts on mind in case my son/wife were infected as well. Sorry Dr and thanks a lot.

[Ronin547]

Dear Dr,

Thanks a lot and sorry for being in a state of paranoia because I do highly value my small familia to the extent that I don't care about myself anymore. Your words are quite comforting and they will reside in my mind till I do the test. Thank you Dr and please inform me if I could in any way contribute to the continuing success of this website (donations, marketing tips, creating awareness in the Arab world, etc.). I will spare no efforts to enlighten my surroundings to remain loyal to their partners since a 10min experience with a CSW leads to a relentless oblivion. God bless you and thanks again for your pragmatic and constructive explanation. Take care Dr and will let you know about my result.

[Ronin547]

Dear Dr. Jose,
I took HIV PCR test at day 76 post last exposure and turned out to be negative (SMS confirmation by the Dr. and still awaiting the result on a paper). If so and as per your suggestion I believe I should consider it conclusive, right? Thanks a lot Dr for everything and Godspeed