Need for re-test?

[logansmom04]

Dear Dr's HHH or Hook (whichever one gets to read this insane post by me first!)

I am hoping you may help me or at least, calm my fears.  Approximately 5 years ago I found out that my husband had been "messing around" with an ex-girlfriend of his.  When questioned as to whether there was intercourse involved, he has always denied it.....until today.  I am not sure why he admitted to it, but he did and for all intent purposes, I AM glad the air is finally clear and now I can close up shop on this part of my life.

My question is this:  This "one-time" thing took place shortly after my son was born in 2004.  In 2007 I went and got a rapid HIV test done and it came back negative.  When I got that test done from that day on, I made him start wearing condoms when we had sex.  There were only a handful of times in which he didn't but those were times when I made "pull out" as well.  Well in the last 2 years, my body has been literally falling apart!  I was recently diagnosed with anal fissures and also cheilosis on my lips, but no yeast to be found anywhere.  I know these are conditions that are often associated with HIV.

Am I correct in assuming that my test in 2007 was definitive and all the answer I need, or am I correct in assuming that some very strong anti-psychotics and therapy may be needed?  I cannot shake this feeling that somehow, some way, maybe my husband really is positive (he hasn't been tested) and maybe I just got "lucky" and didn't catch at that particular time when I tested.

I know these sound like ramblings of a mad woman, but I am concerned - I mean, I don't mess around and never had behind his back, we live in the "white picket fence" neighborhood setting, we go to church, I have 15+ years in the medical field - this just doesn't happen!  

Please advise - do I need to retest or do I even have an exposure risk?

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

His risk from a one time encounter  is quite low but not zero.  As I said earlier, if you have doubts, rather than let them eat at you, I would suggest that you ask him to be tested.  EWH

[logansmom04]

Thank you sir for your reassuring answer....I will try to carry this into the New Year and move forward from here.

May I ask though, do you believe my husband was even at risk from this one-time encounter?  It was unprotected and he says lasted about 5 minutes.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I hope that my answer will let you enter the New Year with one less concern on your mind.  Your 2007 HIV test was definitive- you should believe it and be confident in the result. I realize that because HIV can do so many things in so many different ways it is easy to be concerned about the possible relationship of an number of  health problems to HIV. But of course, that is the reason we have the test- to allow us to reliably rule out the possibility of HIV.  Believe your tests.

I would add that if you have trouble being confident in your husband, I would encourage you to ask him to get tested so you can put this behind you once and for all. It would be easy for him to do and the right thing to do.  EWH