Is Testing Needed

[questionx44]

Dr. Thank You in advance for your time. I received unprotected oral sex on Oct. 15, 2008 I know this is low risk after reading through some of the threads. My concerns are symptoms (which I know should not be) here are my questions:

1.  For the last four days I been having flu like symtoms (fever, night sweats, body aches) , seen the dr. and he perscribed TAMIFLU. In what time frame would someone infected see symptoms if any at all?

2. Would you suggest testing and if so what test would be the correct test at 9 weeks. Would TAMIFLU affect the result?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sorry, my mistake.  It makes no difference, however.  Even though there was a miniscule risk of HIV, the negative test results prove you were not infected.

[questionx44]

Thank You again Dr. It was unprotected. You may have misread, would that change your post?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Since you could not possibly have caught HIV from the protected oral sex event, it is not possible your symptoms are due to HIV (unless you have had other HIV exposures).  Also, acute HIV symptoms start 10-20 days after exposure; 2 months is much too late.  Your doctor obviously believes your symptoms are not just "flu-like", but are in fact the flu (influenza).  That is the only condition that Tamiflu is used for.

You do not need HIV testing. But if you insist on it for psychological reassurance, any standard HIV antibody test is fine at 9 weeks.  Just have whaterver test is done routinely by your doctor.  No medicine, including Tamiflu, affects HIV test results.

Best wishes--   HHH, MD