Final Reassurance and risk??????

[Sill_Scot]

Hello all, Im very anxious and this seems a very good site. In May I stupidly had unprotected oral and what Im pretty sure was protected (not 100% becuase of alcohol) sex with an African CSW in Africa, Im white. About 2 months after the episode I developed aches and pains in my arms, legs, underarms, neck and back some days quite severe, combined with the odd night sweat and dry mouth. Ive also had a dark spot appear in my eye and 3 skin tags appear. These are my only real symptoms no rash or sickness. I had a DUO test at 5 and 10 weeks, Rapid insti HIV1/2 at 4 months and an good NHS antibody 1&2/antigen 1 test at 4.5 months. ALL NEGATIVE The symptoms lasted around 2-3 months although eased and almost gone 6 months sine exposure! All I seem to have now is the dark pen dot spot in my eye and a sensitive tongue where the taste buds at the end are always raised my skin also seems rather itchy all over with no rash. In your opinion am i clear from HIV all subtypes including Africa and my symptoms are down to something else. All the NHS and my private doctor stressed that the tests I had are more than conclusive after 3 months let alone 4.5 months. The Africa factor combined with me being drunk and the symptoms worries me! I do my best not to google symptoms... all symptoms I have had appear before i look them up on the net!!! I look forward to your reply as this was a silly one off and Im worried i could have infected my girlfriend who i met after.

Thanks Darren

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

To my knowledge, it makes no difference.  But to be sure, ask the providers at the clinic where you were tested.

That's all for this thread.

[Sill_Scot]

Final small question... since my exposure was in africa and the world is a small place now meaning that many people are exposed to the different subtypes including the ones found in africa... will all HIV subtypes including N and O be picked up by modern hiv HIV 1/2 tests????

[Sill_Scot]

Thanks doc for your answer...... and thanks for being frank with me, I realise you have to put it that way to get me to start believing my conclusive Negative result!!!!!

Now hopefully a very happy scotsman and all thoughts of this will go with time !!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The only person surprised by your test results is you.  There is no basis for being "rather confused" about your symptoms.  If they had anything to do with the sexual encounter, they were primarily mainfestations of anxiety about it.  And even if an infection was the cause, besides the sexual exposure, in the 1-2 weeks before your symptoms started you also had a nonsexual life -- shaking hands, making change with clerks, speaking with co-workers. and do on.  Your focus on the sexual exposure rather than all your other daily contacts with people has no rational basis.

Anyway, I'm glad you're happy about the test results.  Now accept them for what they are.  Let's have no further discussion about it.

[Sill_Scot]

Just a small follow up..... My 6 month blood tests came back Negative for HIV, Hep B and Syph!!!!
Im so happy, im still rather confused as to why I was so ill after the incadent and Im still slightly worried I could be the one off case that serconvert late or I may have a subtype like N that may not be Picked up???  Is this possible or if I had some illness that ment I seroconverted late I would know about it????
Sorry for the final question I just want to move on!!!!!!!

[Sill_Scot]

Thanks for your quick reply... I guess ive wasted enough of my life worrying about this i have to move on...... 4 tests spread over 4.5 months I mean come on!!! I went for a 6 month test which im waiting for the result just to finalise everything with the conservitive sites out the and for peace of mind but its about time i believe what you and everyone else is telling me!!
Thank again your help is much appreciated

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"All the NHS and [your] private doctor" are exactly correct.  Your symptoms don't matter; test results alwyas tell the truth, as long as enough time has passed, and your results prove HIV cannot possibly be the cause of your symptoms.

So congratulations -- you definitely don't have HIV and could not have infected your girlfriend.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD