HIV Test and Acyclovir

[miley23]

Hello,

I am from Germany and new to your forum. The reason why I was searching and finally found you, is that we don't have the possibility here to get an online expert advice. So I am very glad to have the possibility here.
I've seen in several postings, that acyclovir does not delay seroconversion - but in my case I've taken it longer than onlye a couple of days!
My case: My ex-boyfriend had several affairs in our relationsship and had unprotected sex. After I found out and broke up I had two HIV tests. The first one after 11 weeks, the second one after 16 weeks. Both were negative.
About 8 weeks before the first 11-weeks-test I started taking acyclovir tablets because of cold sores (probably because of heartsickness) until today, so while I performed the second test, too (300mg daily).
Could this longer period of taking acyclovir have made my test false-negative, delayed my antybody production or supressed my immune system and so have delayed sero-conversion?

The reason why I opened a new post is a very, very confusing statement of a doctor (no HIV exert) here, who said that acyclovir can prevent an HIV infection or supress the virus and so delay serconversion. And in his opinion it is used from time to time as PEPse for HIV?! What do you think about that...did he confuse HIV with HSV or is it really used for HIV PEPse?

I want to say thank you again for this great opportunity here and I hope my English is well enough to describe my concerns!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. There is no reason to worry. Acyclovir does not delay development of positive HIV tests.  Thus you can have complete confidence in both your 11 an 16 weeks test results- you did not get HIV from your ex.  

I am not sure what doctor you are referring to however the data are that acyclovir is thought by some to reduce risk for HIV.  There are no data to suggest that acyclovir slows or prevents development of positive HIV tests.  Believe your test results.  

I hope my comments are helpful. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Gla to help.  Take care. EWH

[miley23]

Again....I thank you soooo much! You're explanation meant a lot to me. You are so kind explaining me WHY Acyclovir does not delay antibody development and not like doctors in other fora who just say it does not affect tests but don't really explain the circumstances.
Your answer changed everything. Tonight I will sleep a lot better!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

He is correct about this study but that is a different matter than slowing development of a positive antibody test.  The question of whether or not acyclovir has a direct effect on the HIV virus is well studied, the answer is, unfortunately, no.  No change in my assessment or recommendations.  EWH

[miley23]

Thank you very much for your reply!
My doctor was referring to a study wehre Acyclovir slowed disease progression in HIV by reducing viral load. And so he thought Acyclovir might have a direct effect (even if it is low) on HIV. Maybe he thought that by decreasing viral load antybodies would show up later than in the absence of Acyclovir?