Aa
A few questions. Please answer.
I have a few questions I hope can be answered.
I had unprotected sex in January and had a PCR RNA test done at 2 weeks and was negative. I also had another incident in March (no sex but oral sex) and had a PCR RNA test done at 3 weeks and was negative.
1.) If I was infected the first time (even though the test came back negative) would it have shown up the second time I took the PCR RNA test in March?
2.) If I wasn't infected the first time and then took the test the second time in March three weeks after possible exposure and it was negative is this a good indicator that I'm not infected at all?
3.) Since both tests were negative are they likely to change when I take the antibody test in June (It makes 3 months)
4.) I found two lumps, one in each underarm. My doctor said it doesn't seem to by my lymph nodes. She told me to stop shaving (I'm a male) for a week and if it doesn't go away then to come back. I have noticed the swelling of the lumps have went down but I can still feel it. Mostly in my left underarm where it was the worst. Is this associated with HIV?
Answers to your specific questions which i confirmed with Dr Sean a few hours back.
1.) If I was infected the first time (even though the test came back negative) would it have shown up the second time I took the PCR RNA test in March?
Like Teak rightly mentioned, HIV RNA by PCR is a diagnostic test with 99.89% accuracy after 10 days but since the test is a latest addition to the range of HIV tests, doctors usually take up a more cautious approach and ask you to followup with an HIV DUO at 4 weeks just to make sure the test didnt miss the infection. This is more of a cautious approach and recommendations are on a case to case basis.
2.) If I wasn't infected the first time and then took the test the second time in March three weeks after possible exposure and it was negative is this a good indicator that I'm not infected at all?
Yes it is a good indicator cos HIV RNA by PCR looks for the virus itself and as per Dr Sean he has never come across any negative HIV RNA PCR turn positive later.
3.) Since both tests were negative are they likely to change when I take the antibody test in June (It makes 3 months)
No, very unlikely.
4.) I found two lumps, one in each underarm. My doctor said it doesn't seem to by my lymph nodes. She told me to stop shaving (I'm a male) for a week and if it doesn't go away then to come back. I have noticed the swelling of the lumps have went down but I can still feel it. Mostly in my left underarm where it was the worst. Is this associated with HIV?
symptoms dont indicate anything, your hiv tests are confirmed answers always.
1.) If I was infected the first time (even though the test came back negative) would it have shown up the second time I took the PCR RNA test in March?
Like Teak rightly mentioned, HIV RNA by PCR is a diagnostic test with 99.89% accuracy after 10 days but since the test is a latest addition to the range of HIV tests, doctors usually take up a more cautious approach and ask you to followup with an HIV DUO at 4 weeks just to make sure the test didnt miss the infection. This is more of a cautious approach and recommendations are on a case to case basis.
2.) If I wasn't infected the first time and then took the test the second time in March three weeks after possible exposure and it was negative is this a good indicator that I'm not infected at all?
Yes it is a good indicator cos HIV RNA by PCR looks for the virus itself and as per Dr Sean he has never come across any negative HIV RNA PCR turn positive later.
3.) Since both tests were negative are they likely to change when I take the antibody test in June (It makes 3 months)
No, very unlikely.
4.) I found two lumps, one in each underarm. My doctor said it doesn't seem to by my lymph nodes. She told me to stop shaving (I'm a male) for a week and if it doesn't go away then to come back. I have noticed the swelling of the lumps have went down but I can still feel it. Mostly in my left underarm where it was the worst. Is this associated with HIV?
symptoms dont indicate anything, your hiv tests are confirmed answers always.
I know it's not a stand alone test. But is it still s good indicator that my antibody test will be negative?
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