possible late seroconvertor... please advise

[stillworried1]

Hello Doc,

I'll cut straight to point of my question.
I am a 30 year old woman who's EX boyfriend was confirmed HIV+ about a year and half ago.

My last sexual exposure to him was in JAN. 08. I have tested 4 times on the ELISA antibody, all test NEG! I tested at 3, 5, 8 and 11 1/2 months after.

1. I have read of people having late sero due to being repeatly exposed by thier partner
2. how much more testing do you suggest I do to so that I can move on with my life?
3. would a PCR DNA test be reccomended for someone in my position?
4. is this a common occurence?

Please advise me, Doc... I have been suffering with the thoughts of late sero.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm trying to reassure you.  Accept the reassurance or not, I don't care.  But don't argue with it.  Accept reality:  you didn't catch HIV.

No more discussion.  This thread is over.

[stillworried1]

Thank you again for your response to my concerns/questions.

I would like add that my 'blood type' carries the rh factor making my type RH Neg / O +.

Would my 'blood type' effect the antibody results? I guess the TRUE ongoing concern is that i have symptoms:

1. sinus cysts
2. swollen tongue and back of throat dark veins
3. dry skin
4. dark scarring when cut and had a dry brown blotch on front of wrist lasted about a week or two.


These symptoms all kind appeared  shortly after I broke up with him last year...

Thank you . I just thought i should add these symptoms in case they make a difference in your response....

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Thanks for the thanks about the forum.  I hope that translates into belief in my opinion and advice.  You don't have HIV!

You misunderstand the articles you talk about.  Vaginal intercourse between an HIV infected and uninfected partner has an average transmission risk of one transmission for every 1,000 or so episodes of sex.  Therefore, it usually takes months or years before the infection is transmitted in monogamous couples.  That means there are many people who have sex for years with infected partners without developing a positive tests.  It isn't because they had delayed positive test results.  It's because they weren't infected earlier!

In other words, every HIV transmission occurs at a particular point in time.  Within the next 6-8 weeks (rarely up to 3 months), everybody develops a positive test.  Therefore, whenever someone stops a relationship with an HIV infected partner, a negative blood test more than 2-3 months later can be 100% certain s/he was not infected.

As for never having a positive blood test, nursegirl is right:  urban myth.

Got it?  Time to move on!

[stillworried1]

Thank you nurse girl.

but I would actually like to hear from the Dr.

Thanks again.

[nursegirl6572]

I can help you there...that is a total urban myth...doesn't happen.

[stillworried1]

And I would also really like to know your opinion on those HIV+ people who just never ever develop antibodies?


Thank you.

[stillworried1]

First, Thank you very much for your informed reponse. I think this forum is absolutely amazing!

The reasoning for my on going concern is that I have come across articles of cases in which a group of people had late seroconverted due to being in a long term sexual relationship with a HIV + partner and where frequently infected over and over.

So this is where my big concern had come into play. I wasn't sure if I should continue to test. Or if I was able to completely move on with my life.... This whole nightmare has consumed my life in every aspect..

Thank you Doc. Very much. :)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It is clear you are stressed by the knowledge that your former partner has HIV and it is understandable that you were worried.  However, it is not reasonable to continue to be worried at this point.  You were not infected; your test results prove it and you can believe it.  I'm sure your own health care provider, perhaps more than one, have reassured you.  They are correct.

1) The frequency of exposure, i.e. repeated or not, makes no difference.  Test results are valid based on time to last exposure, not frequency of exposure.

2) You do not need any more testing.

3) PCR testing is not necessary.

4) I'm not sure what you mean by "this" being a common occurrence.  Certainly people do not seroconvert so late.  It simply doesn't happen -- urban myth.  (Don't go searching websites for misleading and unsettling information!)  If "this" refers to your emotional state over it, that's more frequent -- but still not common.  Most people in your situation have no trouble accepting the truth and moving on.  If you continue to have difficulty doing so, you might need counseling to help you moveo on.  Please discuss it frankly with your health care provider.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD