Mental or Reality

[keith965]

Dr. Hook

I come to you in a state of confussion.  I have a regular partner I need to protect.  On around march 1, 2012 i fingered a gal with a cut.  

For the record I have had sinus infections all my life.  My most recent infection lasted from christmas till  the first week in may.  I took multiple courses of antibiotics.  My allergist checked my igg iga and igm levels and all were fine.  He said he wanted to make sure my immune system was working properly because sometimes people with chronic sinus issues have deficiencies in there igg iga and igm.

Hiv tests completed;

On 5/4 he ordered an hiv pcr rna test.  The results were undetectable. (65 days post exposure)

On 5/17 (approx 77 days post exposure) i had an hiv clearview statpak test.  The results were read as negative although there was one dark line at the C and another faint line ALSO at the C.  There was NO line near the T.  The tester said this was negative.  (even though there were two lines by the C)

To me these results looked odd.  I since have become obsessed and tested as follows

5/25 stat pak negative (85 days post exposure)
5/30 oraquick fingerstick negative (90 days negative)
6/5 different statpak test negative (96 days negative)
6/13 (today) stat pak negative (104 days post exposure)

*The women i fingered tested with me on three different occasions, 8 wks 10 wks and 12 wks after we hooked up all were negative.  She says she hasnt been sexually active with anyone in the past 8 months.

My questions are:

1.  Would my hiv pcr rna test have picked up my infection at 65 days post exp?

2. Would my test on may 17 (two lines near the C, nothing near the T) need to have been repeated even though counselor said no?

3.  Would one of the four tests (including todays test) i had since the "weird" results on may 17th, have picked up the  hiv infection? (today was 4 weeks from those odd looking results, i assume i would have seroconverted by now)

4.  Can i move on and sleep with my partner?


Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, you can move forward. There is no reason whatsoever to doubt your test results.

This will end this thread.  EWH

[keith965]

The bottom line (regardless of how the test looked) the counselor ruled my test on may 17th negative.  I was not comfortable with her explanation hence i tested 30 days latter and it was negative.  This was over 3 months post exposure.  

I assume i can move and not look back?

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There is no such thing as "delayed seroconversion", if that is what you are asking about. Thus the idea that your test was "about to turn positve" makes no sense. The chemistry of these tests does not work this way.

Since I did not see the test, if you have questions about the result, you shoul speak to the person who did it.  I suspect you will fin that there is no question that it was negative, indicating that you do not have HIV.

I hope this helps. EWH

[keith965]

Good morning.  It is apparent even to me that my assault has ruined my life.  I am being seen by both a psychologist and a psychiatrist to try an intercede and work thru my mental problems.  My only followup question is as follows;

When I tested on May 17th & there were 2 lines in the control area(usually there is only one) and NONE in the test area, if this test was about to change positive wouldnt my final test 30 days latter have changed to positive?  (last test on 6/13 was 104 days after last risk, fingering with cut)

Thank you very much for your insight and patience!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I have spent some time reviewing your more than 70 posts since 2010 and it is clear that you have a level of fear about HIV that is excessive.  I understand that you were assaulted and this trauma may be linked to your concerns but there is simply NO WAY that you could have HIV at this time from the exposures you have describe.  Your chronic sinusitis is irrelevant, as is your periodic use of steroid medications in the past.  You have been tested, repeatedly, with tests that would detect both the virus, if present and antibodies to the virus- all are negative.  You do not have HIV- really.

I do not remember from reading your earlier posts whether or not you are under the care of a counselor or mental health professional but if you are not, I would urge you to pursue this line of therapy.  You are having too much trouble getting out of the vicious circle of anxiety and worry that you are in and it must be affecting your life deleteriously.  I say this out of concern for you and for no other reason.

let's deal with your questions.

1.  Would my hiv pcr rna test have picked up my infection at 65 days post exp?
Yes, it would have. I agree with both Dr. Jose and your own ID specialist on this.  You need to believe us.

2. Would my test on may 17 (two lines near the C, nothing near the T) need to have been repeated even though counselor said no?
No, there is no need whatsoever to repeat this test.


3.  Would one of the four tests (including todays test) i had since the "weird" results on may 17th, have picked up the  hiv infection? (today was 4 weeks from those odd looking results, i assume i would have seroconverted by now)

Yes, you are far beyond the time when test results may not be reliable.  '

4.  Can i move on and sleep with my partner?
Yes, you need to move on.  You can have unprotected sex without fear that you have HIV from the exposures you have described.

5.One comment I forgot to mention was the allergist whom saw me and ordered the hiv pcr rna test is also an ID Dr. He said that the pcr test covered everything in my life except the most recent 28 days just prior to the test. Do you agree?

Yes I agree.  This question is essentially a repeat of your question number 1.

EWH

[keith965]

5.One comment I forgot to mention was the allergist whom saw me and ordered the hiv pcr rna test is also an ID Dr. He said that the pcr test covered everything in my life except the most recent 28 days just prior to the test. Do you agree?