ELISA-RAPID ANTIBODY-10 weeks

[imstupid1983]

Greetings Doctors! So I had an encounter with a transexual (I was receptive) . There was no condom used. I continuously asked him/her if they had anything and they said no. Having not feeling safe after receiving penetration for about 20 minutes (non continuously) since I would have to stop every couple seconds, I left. Hence there was no ejaculation. Now, my Question is that I did a DNA PCR (which i see plenty of questions about on this forum that you have answered)-yet I thought id get my own personal answer. The Qualitative DNA PCR  was done on the  5 weeks and 3 days with an ELISA which came back negative. I did an oraquick on the 62nd day (negative), and I just did a 74th day rapid antibody (blood) which came back negative (yesterday). Along with doing the rapid test yesterday, I drew blood for the ELISA-and havent received the results yet. My question is, what are my chances that the ELISA test would come back with a different result (positive), and is the rapid test even reliable since the testing company I spoke to say that the rapid tests have proved to give false positives and negatives--yet are FDA approved?? What are my chances of catching HIV now? and am i supposed to be doing this whole 3 months test or wait until after 3 months. So much information out there that it can drive you mad. Also, people talk about 3 months if you're immune compromised...so like if you're not immune compromised that makes you safe at say 6 weeks or 8 weeks? Also, the chances of catching HIV with say pre-*** is what exactly? Sorry for the million questions.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will postively be my last answer.  The advisor is givng you the "party line" and taking a no risk perspective.  I have nothing more to say.  If you test at 12 weeks, 12 months or 12 years from now you will not ahve HIV from the expsoure you describe.  End of story.  EWH

[imstupid1983]

Well I appreciate your answers to my question(s). I know I said the last post was my last but I figured ill take my chances in being careful what I ask and not to be pushy. As you may have noticed from all the questions that are posted everywhere on this forum, this long wait is incredibly difficult. I guess what concerned me was the fact that my situation was anal sex & receptive (no condom or ejaculation), which makes me feel like Im completely in a different league of risk which makes me think that HIV is bound to appear. But it is interesting to see that you stand firm on believing that passed 8 weeks no need for further testing. I did do my ELISA 10 week which was negative-yet the medical adviser at the AIDS resource center told me to come back at 3 months which makes things difficult. If you have anything further to comfort me, Please feel free to tell me, I would appreciate it, kindly.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

We don't debate with other web sites on this forum.  It would be too big a mess.

What your other web site says about 6 weeks would also stand for the 3-6 month statements.  These are a tiny fraction of infections which typically occur in persons with problems with their host response (i.e. are immunocompromised) or who have taken antiretroviral therapy during their incubation period.  Just about all normal folks have their tests as postive by 8 weeks and 12 at the very outside.

The qualitative PCR provides additonal information that you do not have HIV.  Although PCR tests typically are positive before antibody tests, there really are not a lot of data to absolutely support their 28 day claim however. EWH

[imstupid1983]

Ive read on the healingwell forum who stands by the 6 week as being "clear of HIV" that the people who take longer than 6 weeks are immune compromised.

http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=6&m=1086751   (number 10)

Im guessing that applies to the 3-6 months?--If in fact that is an accurate statement in the first place. Trust me when I say im not presenting an argument, nor am i saying this out of anxiety. Knowledge is power, and I am learning from you.

In general, The fact that I did a Qualatative DNA PCR at 5 and a half weeks strengthens the rule out of HIV? or is it even a relevant or credible test as the testing centers that I have spoken to claim them to be conclusive post 28 days. I will have no further questions beyond this post.
thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There is a huge amount of mis-information and misleading information on the web.  I suspect the web sites you are referring to are trying to give a "perfect", 100% answer.  That is silly there may be an extraordinarily rare exception but I emphasize the idea that this is extraordinarily rare.  Remember that most people do not have HIV. that most exposure do not lead to HIV and that the kind of exceptions I just mentioned occur only once or twice in millions of cases.  We stand firm on our estimates.  EWH

[imstupid1983]

Thank you for your confident answer. Since you would rather not answer my "what if" questions, If you may kindly answer this question:
Why do websites say someone can sero conv between 3-6 months. Why so long (6 months)? that is not very comforting.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your "million" questions boil down to one- do you have HIV. The answer is NO, emphatically. You have had multiple highly reliable tests which are negative at a time when virtually all tests would be positive.  You do not have HIV and do not need further testing.  Please, no follow up "but what ifs....".  You do not have HIV.  EWH