Doctor, I need your opinions once again.

[depressed2729]

My exposure was protected sex with a CSW in NYC.  I had anal fissures at the time and the skin was irritated and therefore I had concerns right after my encounter.  About 22 days later I started developing a discomfort under my left jaw which developed into a soar throat (one side only) infection. At day 33 post exposure, I went to a NYC Clinic. Considering my sore throat infection and "thrush" the counselor said that I should undergo the pooled-NAAT (PCR) testing. During the same visit, the Oraquick Rapid test was negative.  At week 7 post exposure, I received my P-NAAT Negative result along with my other negative STD tests and was told this was conclusive. I went to another testing site that offers the oraquick "oral" swab rapid test and that came out negative at 7 weeks.  My sore throat infection improved.  No symptoms for a week and half! A little over 8 weeks, my throat infection came back along with headache. Took the following tests altogether:  
4.5 Weeks - Rapid Oraquick finger / Poole NAAT - Both negative
7 Weeks - Rapid Oraquick Oral - Negative
9 Weeks - Rapid Oraquick finger - Negative
1 - Can ARS symptoms come back?  Especially throughout 9 weeks?  2 - I took a lab based ELISA test two days after the 9 week negative oraquick rapid as I understand ELISA labs are better.  Is this correct? 3 - Do you agree with the clinicians at the NYC Clinic that state the 33 day Antibody/Pooled RNA Negative was conclusive?  They use the same method as North Carolina.4 - I'm thinking about an INDIVIDUAL RNA-PCR tomorrow at day 68 (two days shy of 10 weeks).  Is RNA still detectable around this time if Antibodies are still not present at 9 weeks? 5 - After my encounter, I washed up with the soap that was available in the CSW's hotel room.  I used a bottled hand soap to wash my genitals and my irritated anus.  Is there a possibility that HIV can survive in the soap bottle perhaps contaminated by the previous "client" and after washing my anus possibly infected me?
Thx

[kromo424]

I'd just like to thank you for what you're doing. As a person who tends to worry a lot in general about diseases your knowledge and the facts you present are invaluable as HIV is one of the infection that's scariest to worry about

[depressed2729]

Thanks again, My apologies for re-posting.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As you were told last month, you had a low risk exposure that did not even require HIV testing.  You were also informed that your symptoms did not suggest HIV and that the test results you reported at that time, combined with the nature of the sexual exposure and your symptoms, amounted to 100% proof you were not infected with HIV.  That opinion is unchanged by all the unnecessary additional tests you have had.  Your questions about "ARS symptoms coming back", soap and washing after the exposure, etc are irrelevant -- the test results are definitive.  It does not matter what symptoms you have or the nature of the exposure; test results always tell the truth if done sufficiently long after exposure, as yours were.

If you are unable to accept the obvious but apparently difficult truth that you did not catch HIV, it suggests a need for professional counseling for an underlying anxiety disorder or other psychological issue.  I mention it out of compassion, not criticism.  HThere will be no follow-up comments or discussion on this thread.  Also please note MedHelp's rule that prohibits more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums.

HHH, MD