Many doubts, Please Help me!!!!

[perla77]

Dear Drs.:

I have many doubts and I have tried to solve them in the other forums, but I have received a lot of information that sometimes make me feel very nervious. This is my story: Last may, at the beginnig, I have sexual relations with a frien, and we didn't use a condom because he told me he recently had been tested negative in many STD including HVI. We did it three times, and two of them he came inside of me.

I  got tested 7 and 10 (69 days) after the expousure, both results came NON- REACTIVE. However, I feel not sure because I have had diarrhea at least this last 3 weeks, so I would like you can answer some questions:

1.- ¿How much reliable are my results at 10 week? I feel very scared, because when I got the results, it said NON-REACTIVE, but below the page there was a legend that was something like this "THIS RESULTS ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE FOR THE ABSENSE OR PRESENCE OF ANTIBODIES BECAUSE OF THE CONTACT WITH HVI, JUST YOUR DOCTOR CAN DETERMINE IT" I called the laboratorie and a guy told me that it's said because in base of the clinic story the doctor is who can tell if that is determinant or not, what dou you think about this?

2.- If the person who I had sex with were in the window period during the time that we had sex, it could affect the time of my seroconversion?

3.- You always state that with new test is very reliable a 6-8 test after the risk, but I woul like to know if that is worlwide valid,  because I live in Mexico and I don´t know if the test are differents, and I would have to wait until 3 months. I had a blood test, I don't know which generation, the only thing that I know is that is a technic named QUIMIOLUMINICENCIA (this is in spanish, I don't know the name in english) do you know it? What do you think about this?

4.- And finally, when a test gives an indetermined result, how it appears in the result page?

Thank you very much again, I hope you can calm me dowm, even a little

Perla

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in the results.  there will be no further answers.  This thread is over.  EWH

[perla77]

It's me again. Just for telling you something that I forgot to say. When I got tested the second time i was taking antibiotic because I had an infection in my throat with white dots, could it alter the results? I would apreciate your answer because I feel very nervious again because of a vaginal infection. Thanks a lot. I promise you this is my last post.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I will not repeat myself.  I have answered this question above.  EWH

[perla77]

Hello:

Thank you very much for you worthy answer, I feel much more relaxed. So, my last question, from this moment on may I feel completely sure of being HVI NEGATIVE?

Thanks a lot.

Perla

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have read your numerous interactions with people on the HIV Prevention Community site.  Much of what I am about to say will be repeating much of what has already been said to you.  Your risk for HIV is very low.  Your partner said he did not have infection and that was probably true.  Why would a friend lie to you?  Most people tell the truth.  In addition you have been tested numerous times and found to have negative tests.  The tests tend to be very good, it you were tested at a reliable site you can be confident in the results you received.  Let's review your questions:

1.  The results are reliable at this time.  Currently available tests detect virtually all infections 8 weeks following infection or sooner.  I know of no expert who has or knows of a patients who took more than 8 weeks to develop a positive test following exposure.  The statement that accompanied your results is a statement made to protect the test makers from being sued in the unlikely situation that someone had a negative test which was wrong.  They therefore shift the burden of test interpretation to the doctor. This is one of the reasons that we recommend against home tests - people like yourself get nervous when they read these statements.
2.  No, no effect of time to seroconversion.
3.  Sorry, I do not know the brand names.  The method used for this test is called "chenmiluminesence" in English.  If made by a reliable manufacture, most of which are global organizations, your results can be counted on.
4.  If the result was indeterminate it would say so, using the word indeterminate.

To summarize, your fears are likely to be groundless.  You do not have HIV and do not need additional testing.  You should not worry.  I hope my comments help.  EWH