Nervous Wreck

[micdem2837]

Hi Doctors,

I’m married and have had an affair with a married woman who I have known for a few years from work. We had unprotected vaginal sex. This was only once 14 weeks ago. I went to my primary doctor 6 weeks after and he ordered all STD tests including HIV, which came back negative (Lab: Quest Diagnostics). I’m a huge hypochondriac and worry about a lot of things.

Since then, at 9 weeks, I used a website STDAlert.com to order HIV-DNA by PCR and HIV 1/0/2 Abs Qual (I assume this is the antibody test) which came back negative.

Another 2 tests at 12 and 13 weeks HIV 1/0/2 Abs Qual, which came back negative. These tests were done at LabCorp.

At 14 weeks, worried about the accuracy of theses tests from LabCorp, I used a different website GetSTDTested.com and ordered their HIV ELISA test confirmed by Western Blot test. This website uses Quest Diagnostics as their Lab. Awaiting results.

My Questions:
1) Are LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics considered credible labs?
2) What are your opinions on using such websites as STDAlert.com and GetSTDTested.com to order these types of tests.
3) Can I still develop HIV despite all these negative results. The women claims I was the only other partner she had besides her husband.

Thanks for your anticipated feedback.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Your concerns are a powerful reminder of the profound impact that guilt can have on us.  With the testing you report there is absolutely no way that you could have acquired HIV from the encounter that you have described 14 weeks ago.  

As far as your specific questions:
1) Are LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics considered credible labs?
Yes, absolutely top quality.

2) What are your opinions on using such websites as STDAlert.com and GetSTDTested.com to order these types of tests.
Testing is highly regulated and so the testing performed at such sites is reliable. The problem I have with such sites is that people (like yourself) typically have questions about their test results and test reliability and these sites do not always do a very good job of providing the answers and counseling that should follow lab tests for HIV.  

3) Can I still develop HIV despite all these negative results. The women claims I was the only other partner she had besides her husband.
No, there is no way that you acquired HIV form the encounter you described.

I hope these comments are helpful. there is no reason to worry further about HIV and further testing is a waste of time and money. EWH

[micdem2837]

Thanks Doctor!