HIV exposure

[Mchuvana]

Hi, after 3 week of possible exposure  (unprotected vaginal sex) with the infected girl, I went to a doctor and blood were drawn and sent to the lab. The test were conducted on HIV P24 antigen which was negative and HIV 1+2 ELISA which was non-reactive. I didn't see any symptoms until 2 days towards the end of week 4, I started to have some fatigue and a loose stool and sometimes a bit of watery (watery stool not more than two days). The diarrhear took seven to nine days and it stoped (it wasn't that bad course I used to go to the toilet 2 or 3 times in a day) I also had a blocked nose but didn't cough, I've also lose some weight by 2  or 3 kg. On week 5 and 2 days some rash apeared on the left arm and it lasted for a day and disappeared. I must mention that I was stressed and also anxious while waiting for my lab results. Could this be a symptoms of HIV or anxiety, stress and pschological effects played a part. How long can a diarrhea coursed by stress and anxiety last, is it normal that it can last for more than three days?

[Teak]

No it is not a contradiction. There is no advantage. No one is given medication for a recent infection. The US did not give an FDA approval for Duo tests just for that reason. Being able to detect earlier does not have anything to do with a conclusive negative test result. Just because someone does not test positive 4-6 post exposure does not guarantee a conclusive negative result.

[Mchuvana]

I think you are contradicting yourself here, you said" DUO tests have NO difference in when a negative test is conclusive. DUO can help with early detection". Dont you think if it can detect the infection early, in the case of where it says negative don't you think its an advantage, caurse if it didn't detect an infection there is no any. To me you seem to disagree with most of the expect. Most including the manufactures said DUO can detect from two weeks after possible exposure and on your comments you disagree with whatever they say. Do you mean that a DUO test can say negative at three or four weeks and after 3 month positive, why do most of these experts says DUO test is 90% - 95% accurate, what do say about these.

[Teak]

DUO tests have NO difference in when a negative test is conclusive. DUO can help with early detection. Big Difference.

[mattx]

Some Sexual Health Clinics in Australia do regard the DUO test as conclusive past 6 weeks ,however our guidelines state 12 weeks as being the time for definitive results therefore Id still want to get that 12 week negative.

[Teak]

Duo test are NOT conclusive any earlier than any other tests.

[mattx]

Hi

As the other posters say ,symptoms are not a reliable way to judge hiv infection and can often be caused by anxiety. ARS usually consists of high fever, swollen glands (generally most of your glands). You didnt mention a fever and thats normally present with ARS ,so a good sign. The average time to seroconversion is 21 days and the antigen test is useful at this time ,so far so good but a bit too early for a definitive result. Most people will have a positive result if truly infected by 6-8 weeks if using modern testing methods. Id advise  to get a test at 6 weeks a duo at this time if available is very encouraging ,if negative cofirm 100% at twelve weeks. Keep in mind the odds are in your favour and most experts agree a DUO test is conclusive psat 6 weeks but Id still want to get that confirmed as per the legal guidelines at twelve weeks ,just to be sure. Hope all work out for you  and good luck.