Hello,
Thank you for your post. I am going to answer your question, instead of my colleague, Dr Cummings.
Acute sero-conversion symptoms are non-specific and they can be symptoms of hundreds of other conditions. However the majority of people who are sero-converting suffer quite severe symptoms for a few days, severe sore throat with a high fever, with malaise.
Regarding your sexual encounter, the fact that you used a condom makes it compeltely safe and completely risk free in regards of HIV infection, provided the condom remained in place and did not brake. Therefore I do not believe that your symptoms have anything to do with HIV. Besides even they are non-specific symptoms, they seem to be far too mild to be related to acute HIV seroconversion.
Best wishes,
Dr José
Dr Jose, one follow-up question, if that is permitted. If a clinic is offering a combined antibody/antigen test can I assume that it is conclusive at 28 days? Or do I need to ask whether it is specifically the 4th gen/P24? I would prefer to come to your clinic, of course, but it is unfortunately not possible. Many thanks.
Hello again,
All the tests that include the p24 antigen in addition to the antibodies are considered to be 4th generation tests and are fully conclusive afer 4 weeks following the exposure.
Kind regards,
Dr José
pl on behalf of readers, please could you answer this question. DOES THE P24 PART OF THE DUO TEST ALSOTAKE HIV 2 INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL? I DO KNOW THAT THE ANTIBODY PART OF THE DUO DOES, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE P24 ANTIGEN... IS P24 ALSO PRESENT IN HIV2 ?
A related discussion, HIV symptoms was started.