Hiv testing question, help drs!

[youngrick]

     Hello and thank you for the work you do. I'll try to explain my situation as brief and as best is i can. Im a 23 year old male and 4 years ago i started a relationship with a girl who i trusted when she told me she was hiv negative. She also told me that she only had one boyfriend before me and that prior to sleeping with him she took him to a rapid hiv finger prick place and he was negative. So we went ahead and had unprotected sex for one whole year (dumb i know!, i dont know what i was thinking) i later found out that her previous boyfriend traveled to the hispanic caribbean a lot, he had tattoos and maybe did drugs (i dont know which kind). Our relationship lasted 1 year, so 2 years after we broke up i was diagnosed with some kind of pneumonia, and was given IV/Oral/Inhalated medications at the hospital. (2 days in the hospital + 1 week follow up with pills at home), (unfortunately i dont have the paper with the names of the madications). Approximately 27 days after i was released from the hospital i went to labcorp and got tested, (the doctor in the hospital inquired about hiv testing) it came back negative (antibodies test), (i remained risk free during the 2 year post-relationship period) Now, there is a lot of confusing information out there and for a mere $20 i wanted some clarification and hear it from you to calm my anxiety. Here are my current symptoms: muscle pain, palate lumps, mouth sores, confussion, tiredness, depression, sore throats, pain in hands, itchiness, not too noticeable rashes including in the butt, and probably more...
1. Can any kind of pneumonia affect the antibodies test?
2. Can any of the medications used to treat the different kinds of pneumonia affect the antibodies test? (with emphasis on PCP pneumonia with is often treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants)
3. Do you recommend re-testing?
Thanks a million! and im sorry i made it so long, i figured it'd be best than having "what if, but" questions.

[youngrick]

This last thing that is bothering me doc, i swear--nothing else after this! FEEL FREE TO LOCK this thread after this... you said that even if i was given a brief course of steroids related to pneumonia treatment, they wouldnt mess up the test--does that apply only to inhalated steroids? or to all the others routes of administration i mentioned? Thank you, i have learned so much today, bye.

[youngrick]

     Wow thanks a million mr. hook, im ready to move on now, just to clarify because i know english is not my native language--you do understand that the bout of pneumonia and treatment was one month before testing and 2 years after our separation? I hope it doesnt change anything?  Thank you, im out of here.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You need to stop worrying.  Despite the risky characteristics of your prior partner’s partner, it is unlikely that he had HIV and, more importantly, despite her relationship with him she had a negative HIV test after they broke up.  Believe the test result and do not allow yourself to be concerned over these supposed risks. Her test result tells you that you can believe this.  With regard to your specific questions:

1.  No, a prior pneumonia will not change your antibody response or test results.
2.  Even if you had a brief course of steroids (most likely given through inhalation) related to your pneumonia therapy,  this would not change your test results.  You would have begun producing antibodies had you gotten HIV and those antibodies would not change even if you had medications such as steroids.  
3.  There is absolutely no reason for you to seek re-testing related to your relationship with your prior girlfriend,  If you need to do so for your own peace of mind, do so, BUT, before  you do, commit to the idea that you will believe the test results when they become available.,  I am confident that re-testing will provide negative test results.

I hope my comments are helpful to you.  Take care.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, it applies to all steriods.  In some peole when given at the time that antibody production begins, there may be a delay in antibody production.  In the time line you provided more than a year had passed since your last exposure and your pneumonia.  No effect.  Thus, I repeat, one last time (and this will be the last time) -No change in my opinion.  You have nothing to worry about.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, I did follow your description of the dates of these events.  No change in my opinion.  You have nothing to worry about.  EWH

[youngrick]

i take it you meant "more than a year had passed BETWEEN your last exposure and your pneumonia" thus, no effect.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

BETWEEN - SINCE- IN THE INTERVAL, take your pick.  then relax and move on.  No risk and no medical reason to worry.  EWH

[youngrick]

     Dr. in my second comment after my original question i asked: "...dr. you said that even if i was GIVEN a brief course of steroids, they wouldn't mess up the test...", it was a typo! what i wanted to ask was: "...dr. you said that even if i HAD a brief course of steroids, they wouldn't mess up the test...". Now, i wonder if me switching
the "HAD" in your original response for the "GIVEN" in my question would cause a change in your opinion. It looks like im hairsplitting but miscommunication can be catastrophic. I hope you dont get mad, but i'll understand if you do, thank you so much and happy valentine's day.

[youngrick]

i mean would this change your opinion on "all the routes of administration"?
thats the end of it, really!