False Negative HIV Result From X-Ray?

[definitelyworried]

Six years ago, I had a potential exposure to HIV, as I had sex with a girl and the condom fell off.  Also, 15 months ago , I had sex with my girlfriend, the condom broke, and I ejaculated inside her.  That time with my girlfriend 15 months ago was the last time I had sex.  On August 5 (17 days ago), I was tested for HIV.  The results?

Anti-HIV 1&2 (Recombinant Antigens) NEGATIVE

Before I was tested on August 5, 2011, though, I had a few X-rays earlier in the year.  On March 1, 2011, I had an X-ray of my right foot.  On June 29, 2011, I had an X-ray of my right shoulder.  I then had two X-rays of my left ankle on July 22, 2011 and July 25, 2011 after a sprain.  

1.)  Is there any possibility that the radiation exposure from these X-rays could have caused my HIV test results to be a false negative?  The last X-ray on July 25, 2011 was only 11 days before I was tested for HIV.  

2.) Do I have any reason to worry at all?

3.) Should I be re-tested for HIV?  Again, it was 15 months after the broken condom incident with my girlfriend when I tested negative, but maybe the X-rays caused the results to be a false negative.

4.)  I am planning to marry her in Mexico in February, 2012 (she is from Mexico), and to marry there, HIV testing is required.  Should I be worried that I will test positive in February?  Am I 100%, reliably HIV negative?

Thanks.

[definitelyworried]

Thank you very much, doctor.  I really appreciate this.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes.  EWH

[definitelyworried]

So, I really am HIV negative, as my results indicate?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, X-ray irradiation would not dystroy existing antibodies either.  The test would be accurate despite having x-rays. EWH

[definitelyworried]

I'm not too concerned about delayed development of antibodies.  Again, the potential risk I had was six years ago, so I'm guessing the antibodies would have begun appearing YEARS before I had these X-rays 11 days before my HIV test on August 5 of this year.  You said radiation from these four recent X-rays doesn't cause HIV antibodies' delayed development.  Well, what does X-ray radiation do to existing HIV antibodies that have been in the system of the body for years?  Does it destroy them so they don't show up on an HIV antibody test?  

Am I really in the clear here as far as HIV goes?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  You need not worry and should believe your test results. Very few heterosexual women have HIV.  I anticipate that when you are tested in preparation for marriage that both you and your girlfriend will find that you do not have HIV.

Diagnostic X-rays do not harm the immune system in any way and there is no reason to worry that your foot X-rays might have caused your HIV test to be falsely negative or to have delayed development of antibodies..  

From what you write, there is no reason for you to worry about your tests, no reason to repeat it and no reason for concern.  

I hope this information is helpful. EWH