Aa
Ars?
Hi Doctor, I'd like to thank you in advance. I'm a 22 year old female that's dating a 20 year old male from the united states. We started dating in Jan. On march 5 after having protected sex my boyfriend penetrated me about 4 times without a condom. He did not ejaculate. On march 14 I became sick I had a fever of 100.3 and non stop vomiting and diaherra. This only lasted 24 hrs. My boyfriend got tested on march 15 because I was concerned and it came back negative. I had a negative test on April 4th. However my doctor told me it was a negative western blot but didn't mention I had a positive elisa. I had a painless swollen lymph node confirmed by my Dr on April 4th that I still have. I also went to my gyn because of swollen lymph nodes in my armpit. She said she didn't feel anything but I can definitely feel something and its been causing me extreme discomfort. My questions are Does this sound like ARS 9 days after exposure? Does my 4 week negative western blot mean anything? Is it reliable at all? My boyfriend said the last time he had intercourse was in Nov and protected. But I can't be completely sure so I have no idea if his test is reliable. Should I retest because of my swollen lymph nodes lasting over 4weeks? Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You misunderstand the "4th generation" HIV tests. These tests are 100% reliable within 4 weeks of catching HIV, but not because they measure antibody earlier than other tests, and not earlier than Western blot. Fourth generation tests are also called "duo" tests, because they measure both HIV antibody -- the same as a 3rd generation test -- and also p24 antigen, a marker for the virus itself. In newly infected people, p24 antigen appears in the blood before antibody, and as antibody develops, p24 disappears.
That will have to end this thread. Ignore your lymph nodes; the test results PROVE they are not due to HIV. I strongly suggest you stop searching online or elsewhere for more information, that you accept the apparently difficult truth that you were not at risk for HIV and were not infected, and move on with your life.
That will have to end this thread. Ignore your lymph nodes; the test results PROVE they are not due to HIV. I strongly suggest you stop searching online or elsewhere for more information, that you accept the apparently difficult truth that you were not at risk for HIV and were not infected, and move on with your life.
Hi Dr I hope you can answer this last question. I will donate more money for peace of mind. I obviously wasn't infected by my boyfriend bc he is negative. Back in December I had protected sex with a friend. I called my Dr about my test and she said I only had a western blot done. That was 16 weeks from the last time I was exposed. I know it was protected but because of my lymph nodes it makes me wonder if it broke? My last question is, my 16 week negative conclusive? I know its only a confirmation test but is it reliable enough to say I'm officially negative or do I need another test? Hope you can answer. Thanks
My boyfriend just tested negative with a rapid test 8 weeks and a few days after our unprotected "sex ''. Do I need the additional test or is this conclusive?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A negative WB at 4 weeks is strong evidence you were not infected. All HIV ELISA tests, including the ones incorporated into 4th generaltion/duo tests, occasionally give false positive results. The p24 antigen test probably does not. All you need is another antibody test, which can be done at any time now. It will be negative. When it is, you can go forward with 100% confidence you don't have HIV.
You might also be interested to know that in the 7 years since this forum was established, nobody has ever turned out to have acquired HIV after an exposure that concerned him or her. If and when it happens, it will be someone with a real risk, such a a gay man with multiple partners or the long-time partner of an infected person. It is very unlikely to be someone with an implausible, zero-risk exposure of the sort you had. Beleve it.
If you want to add a follow-up comment to report a final HIV test result, feel free. Other than that, this thread is closed to new comments.
You might also be interested to know that in the 7 years since this forum was established, nobody has ever turned out to have acquired HIV after an exposure that concerned him or her. If and when it happens, it will be someone with a real risk, such a a gay man with multiple partners or the long-time partner of an infected person. It is very unlikely to be someone with an implausible, zero-risk exposure of the sort you had. Beleve it.
If you want to add a follow-up comment to report a final HIV test result, feel free. Other than that, this thread is closed to new comments.
And this concerns me considering I had a positive test confirmed by a negative western blot at 4 weeks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, I did misunderstand. Sorry. You are exactly right, especially if the positive duo result was within 2-3 weeks after exposure.
I think you misunderstood what I was asking. If the 4th gen became positive (because it test for .p24 unlike other test) which would need a confirmation test (Western Blot) the western blot still has a chance of being negative...But thank you for your time.
I have a question regarding testing. I've read in the forums that a 4th gen test can test positive earlier than other test. Assuming my first test was positive ( because of my confirmation western blot) was a 4th gen, it would detect antibodies sooner than a western blot correct? Causing a negative western blot? Sorry I don't think I would be this worried if I didn't have swollen lymph nodes.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The additional information does not change my opinion or advice. Maybe "absolutely crazy" is a bit strong, but your boyfriend is basically correct; you seriously overreacted. There was no reason for HIV testing in this circumstance. In any case, ARS does not cause post nasal drip, and my guess is your doctor either misstated the test that was done or you misunderstood her.
Don't overthink this situation. There is no information you can think of that could change my opinion or advice. Time to move on.
Don't overthink this situation. There is no information you can think of that could change my opinion or advice. Time to move on.
Thank you. That makes me feel better. My boyfriend is getting tested again on Tuesday but thinks Im absolutely crazy. I left out that I did have a confirmed swollen lymph in my neck for about four weeks Dr said post nasal drip. If I did have swollen lymph nodes under my arm and also in my neck would that change your assessment?
and about my test, when my doctor said that my Hiv test was negative ,I asked if she was Absolutely sure she said " Yes , your western blot was absolutely negative" .. I read on the internet that the western blot is only used after a positive elisa.however she never told me one test came back positive.
and about my test, when my doctor said that my Hiv test was negative ,I asked if she was Absolutely sure she said " Yes , your western blot was absolutely negative" .. I read on the internet that the western blot is only used after a positive elisa.however she never told me one test came back positive.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
You absolutely do not have HIV or ARS. All by itself, your negative HIV test at 4 weeks is nearly 100% you don't have it. It can take up to 6 weeks for the HIV antibody tests, including Western blot, to become positive. However, the antibody tests always are positive within 10 days after onset of symptoms -- so the test result is proof your symptoms are not due to HIV.
I'm confused by your HIV antibody test result. Did you have a positive ELISA? Even if you did, the Western blot rules; false positive or indeterminate ELISA results occur from time to time, but the WB result is definitive.
In addition, you describe a zero risk exposure, since your partner definitely is not infected. Why would you doubt his test result? Also, in the US, heterosexual transmission of HIV remains rare in almost all population groups, and HIV is also very rare in people in their early 20s. And ARS does not cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Those symptoms might occur some of the time, but not as the main symptoms. The 3 most common symtpoms of ARS are fever (higher than yours, usually 101F or higher), body-wide skin rask, and sore throat, usually quite severe; in fact, 70% of people with ARS have all three of them. And when ARS causes lymph node inflammation, it always involves multiple areas of the body (both armpits, neck, groin, etc) -- never a single node or a single area like an armpit. In any case, I do not trust your judgment that your armpit discomfort is due to lymph node inflammation; your doctor's exam is far more reliable than your gut feeling about it. Your symptoms are typical for a garden variety, minor gastrointestinal virus.
You should discuss your concerns about ARS frankly with your doctor, if you have not done so. For final reassurance, you could have another HIV antibody test 6-8 weeks after your last exposure. But for even quicker reassurance, your partner could be tested for HIV. If negative, it will show you were not exposed and could not have been infected.
Bottom line: For all these reasons, you should not be at all concerned about HIV or ARS.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHHH, MD
You absolutely do not have HIV or ARS. All by itself, your negative HIV test at 4 weeks is nearly 100% you don't have it. It can take up to 6 weeks for the HIV antibody tests, including Western blot, to become positive. However, the antibody tests always are positive within 10 days after onset of symptoms -- so the test result is proof your symptoms are not due to HIV.
I'm confused by your HIV antibody test result. Did you have a positive ELISA? Even if you did, the Western blot rules; false positive or indeterminate ELISA results occur from time to time, but the WB result is definitive.
In addition, you describe a zero risk exposure, since your partner definitely is not infected. Why would you doubt his test result? Also, in the US, heterosexual transmission of HIV remains rare in almost all population groups, and HIV is also very rare in people in their early 20s. And ARS does not cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Those symptoms might occur some of the time, but not as the main symptoms. The 3 most common symtpoms of ARS are fever (higher than yours, usually 101F or higher), body-wide skin rask, and sore throat, usually quite severe; in fact, 70% of people with ARS have all three of them. And when ARS causes lymph node inflammation, it always involves multiple areas of the body (both armpits, neck, groin, etc) -- never a single node or a single area like an armpit. In any case, I do not trust your judgment that your armpit discomfort is due to lymph node inflammation; your doctor's exam is far more reliable than your gut feeling about it. Your symptoms are typical for a garden variety, minor gastrointestinal virus.
You should discuss your concerns about ARS frankly with your doctor, if you have not done so. For final reassurance, you could have another HIV antibody test 6-8 weeks after your last exposure. But for even quicker reassurance, your partner could be tested for HIV. If negative, it will show you were not exposed and could not have been infected.
Bottom line: For all these reasons, you should not be at all concerned about HIV or ARS.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHHH, MD
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