question about tests

[abcd6378]

I'll fill you in on some background. I am a 31 year old New Zealand male. Just over 4 weeks ago, I had my first encounter with a transexual (I have only ever been with women). I performed insertive anal with a condom. The condom was fully intact when I checked after. She performed oral on me (I was insertive). Oral was unprotected. The trans involved also got tested a week after exposure at my request - negative.

On Wednesday, I got myself tested tested. This was 27 days after exposure so practically 4 weeks. I did this because I know tests aren't conclusive at 4 weeks but given the low risk of my exposure, it would halp my anxiety levels. I got the test back today - negative for hiv and everything else. The hiv tests hiv 1 & 2 antibodies and also has a p24 antigen component as well. I spoke to a pathologist and he couldn't specify exactly the name of the test but said they were constantly being adjusted and improved. Thus I dont know exactly what test it was - just that it had some sort of p24 antigen component.

I have two questions:

1) What risk was my exposure - I assume that transexuals are at a higher risk from hiv??

2) I realise that a 27 antibody test is 85% approx accurate. Would the antigen component make it more accurate??

Look forward to your answers! Thanks guys!!

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

I do not believe that your stomach symptoms have anyhting to do with HIV.
I am not familiar with the type of tests used in New Zealand, however if the test includes the p24 antigen, it would be the equivalent to our HIV Duo, conclusive after 4 weeks.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[abcd6378]

Is the stomach virus likely to have been hiv related?? I am usually very healthy - its been ages since I have had one. I had one night of vomiting and then a achey tummy for three days after.

Do you know what hiv tests NZ testing labs use. All the pathologist told me was that there was a p24 antigen component.

[abcd6378]

Thanks Doc

I appreciate your reassuring information. I am unsure if the NZ tests are duo's as such and many NZ medical professionals seem to think you need to wait 4 weeks but I rang a lab pathologist and he said the blood tests do have a p24 antigen component.

1. Do you know what tests NZ uses?

2. I am concerned because I had a stomach illness starting two days before I had the test, until a couple of days after. If this was ARS, would the antigen, or the antibody tests show positive??

Thanks Doc.

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

Hello,
Thank you for your contribution to our forum.
Let me answer your queries here as follows:

1) What risk was my exposure - I assume that transexuals are at a higher risk from hiv??

FROM THE HIV POINT OF VIEW, NO RISK AT ALL.  THE ANAL PENETRATION WAS PROTECTED AND YOU ARE SURE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CONDOM REMAINED INTACT AND IN PLACE.  THAT IS TOTALLY SAFE.  RECEIVING ORAL SEX DOE NOT INVOLVE RISK OF HIV EVEN IF THE PERSON PERFORMING IS HIV POSITIVE.

2) I realise that a 27 antibody test is 85% approx accurate. Would the antigen component make it more accurate??

IF THE TEST THAT YOU HAD INCLUDED THE P24 ANTIGEN, A NEGATIVE RESUTL AT 27 DAYS CAN BE CONSIDERED FINAL AND FULLY CONCLUSIVE.

Please you do not need to worry.  You are definitely negative.  No need to have any further tests.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[abcd6378]

I forgot to say...I had a blood sample  drawn - it wasn't a rapid test. Do you know what test NZ uses??