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Steroid shot and test
Hi Doc,
I am a 30 year old male. Two months ago I engaged in a risky sexual encounter. After a lot of anxiety I tested negative at 5 weeks with a Duo test. Conclusive you'll say! But there is more.
One day after that I got a Celestone shot on my buttock for an irritation problem there (that seems to be unrelated).
Anxiety did not stop and I took another Duo at 8 weeks. Negative. I was so happy because I know that a test by 8 weeks would be virtually conclusive. Then I learned about steroids injections can affect the test reliability.
The thing is that I've had some skin problems now. First some strange bumps in my belly that seems to go in a couple of days. They never appear more than one at the same time and are like mosquito bites. I've had 4 or 5 so far.
Now I have what seems to be seborreic dermatitis in my beard. I know what it looks like because I have had it but never in the beard! It is not a large area, I'd say I have 3 or 4 bumps.
1. What is the chance that my single steroid injection would affect my 8 week test took 21 days after the shot?
2. I know that this is too late for ARS but would dermatitis be a symtomp of a immunosuppresion? Could I be immunosuppresed 9 weeks after the encounter?
3. Should I consider myself safe or another test is guaranteed?
4. Does this (bumps in belly and dermatitis on beard) seem like another STD?
Thank you!
I am a 30 year old male. Two months ago I engaged in a risky sexual encounter. After a lot of anxiety I tested negative at 5 weeks with a Duo test. Conclusive you'll say! But there is more.
One day after that I got a Celestone shot on my buttock for an irritation problem there (that seems to be unrelated).
Anxiety did not stop and I took another Duo at 8 weeks. Negative. I was so happy because I know that a test by 8 weeks would be virtually conclusive. Then I learned about steroids injections can affect the test reliability.
The thing is that I've had some skin problems now. First some strange bumps in my belly that seems to go in a couple of days. They never appear more than one at the same time and are like mosquito bites. I've had 4 or 5 so far.
Now I have what seems to be seborreic dermatitis in my beard. I know what it looks like because I have had it but never in the beard! It is not a large area, I'd say I have 3 or 4 bumps.
1. What is the chance that my single steroid injection would affect my 8 week test took 21 days after the shot?
2. I know that this is too late for ARS but would dermatitis be a symtomp of a immunosuppresion? Could I be immunosuppresed 9 weeks after the encounter?
3. Should I consider myself safe or another test is guaranteed?
4. Does this (bumps in belly and dermatitis on beard) seem like another STD?
Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. I'll try to help. Please remember that no single exposure to a partner of unknown partner has even a 1% chance of leading to HIV. Further, as you point out, you already had a definitive test result before you took your steroid shot. There is no reason to continue to worry about HIV.
As for your specific questions:
1. What is the chance that my single steroid injection would affect my 8 week test took 21 days after the shot?
Zero.
2. I know that this is too late for ARS but would dermatitis be a symtomp of a immunosuppresion? Could I be immunosuppresed 9 weeks after the encounter?
No. Steroids themselves can cause acne but what you describe, in location and description sounds more like folliculitis than anything else.
3. Should I consider myself safe or another test is guaranteed?
You should believe the results you have. There is no need for further testing.
4. Does this (bumps in belly and dermatitis on beard) seem like another STD?
No
I hope these comments are helpful. Take care. EWH
As for your specific questions:
1. What is the chance that my single steroid injection would affect my 8 week test took 21 days after the shot?
Zero.
2. I know that this is too late for ARS but would dermatitis be a symtomp of a immunosuppresion? Could I be immunosuppresed 9 weeks after the encounter?
No. Steroids themselves can cause acne but what you describe, in location and description sounds more like folliculitis than anything else.
3. Should I consider myself safe or another test is guaranteed?
You should believe the results you have. There is no need for further testing.
4. Does this (bumps in belly and dermatitis on beard) seem like another STD?
No
I hope these comments are helpful. Take care. EWH
Thank you Dr. Last question. Today i started to develop a sore throat. So far no other symptom. Would it be possible to start having it as a symptom 9 weeks later? Any other test would be useless?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your sore thraot has occurred too late for this to be a manifestation of recently acquired HIV. I recommend that you believe your test results. There is no need for further testing related to the events you have described. EWH
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