I need your HELP!!

[td2020]

Dear Doctor, I am so worried.  I had a few exposures with men when I was in Africa last year of unprotected sex 3 months prior to the world cup.  It was stupid am I think I may be paying the price for it. I have had several antibody tests of different types and all have been negative.  The last one was last week and it was done at Quest Diagnostics.  So it is now around 9 months and I am experiencing BAD PROBLEMS.  sore throat, white tongue, and visual changes that are getting worse.  I went to my eye doctor and he didnt see anything.  I have read SO much on type of HIV.  1) What is the chance that my testing could miss some sort of strain from Africa that cannot be detected here in the US?  2)Would a standard ELISA test be able to detect any hiv by this time?   3) Is there ANY other test to do? PLEASE DR.  I AM SO WORRIED!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your anxiety is getting the best of you.  I will not repeat myself again.  I have told you that your tests are reliable.  You do not have some strange alien HIV strain.  You donot need further testing, you need to get a grip on yourself.  

With further questions the entire thread will be deleted without comment.  EWH

[td2020]

Forgot to mention that the things that bother me most are the visual changes, white tongue, and sore throat.  Also, I got a rash on my back approximately 5 months after the episode that lasted for 2 weeks.  Please forgive me for returning to this thread, but if you could please address the previous( I will repost it here), I would be a very grateful girl.
I have been researching the forum.  Is it true that no matter what type of HIV, that the proteins are shared by all types?  Would those groups say N/P/CRF be detected by conventional testing here in the US by 9 months time?  I am so worried since I still have symptoms that I may have some type that cannot be found and I could infect my boyfriend.  Would it give an interminate result say if it was one of these groups?  Is there ANY other test to do to rule out HIV of ANY sort, out or have I done that. Thank you VERY much for your time, that will be all from here.  Take care and again thank you from all of us people that come here for your advice.

[td2020]

Thank you so much.  I have been researching the forum.  Is it true that no matter what type of HIV, that the proteins are shared by all types?  Would those groups say N/P/CRF be detected by conventional testing here in the US by 9 months time?  I am so worried since I still have symptoms that I may have some type that cannot be found and I could infect my boyfriend.  Would it give an interminate result say if it was one of these groups?  Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You keep asking me to repeat myself. Once is enough. If you need further reassurrance please read the original answer again.  EWH

[td2020]

So are the same proteins shared by all HIV regardless of group, strain,subtype that they ALL would be detected by common tests and not missed?  Thank you again have a a good weekend

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I am confident of the advice I have provided you.  Both the visual changes and the lump in your throat could well be due to causes other than HIV and you have now completely ruled out HIV.  Rather than spend your time repeatedly testing for something that you do not have, you need to seek other possible causes. EWH

[td2020]

Thank you for taking my question as it does relieve me a little.  What bothers me is that I cannot get rid of this lump in my throat and sore throat now for over 6 months, along with the vision things.  I have had different doctors look and they dont see anything.  The other white coating on tongue really scares me.  1) are you confident that HIV of pretty much ANY sort would be picked up, since these exposures were in Africa near Cameroon(say group N or P or CRF of some sort?. I have read there are rare types there which may give false negatives with our testing.  2)Since this testing is nearly at 9-10 months now, do I need to look elsewhere for symptoms?  3)Would all the "tsting" cross react with each other?  Please doctor I wont bother you anymore but need clarification.  thank you so much :-)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your worries are no longer warranted.  If you have been tested more than 8 weeks since your last exposure (and it appears that you have), you can be confident that you did not get HIV.  The symptoms that you describe are non-specific and do not raise concerns for HIV. If your visual problems had been HIV related, the ophthalmologist would have seen something.  Sore throat and tongue bumps are non-specific and not to be worried about.

1.  Testing available in the U.S. would have detected infection acquired in South Africa.
2.  Yes, absolutely.  A standard ELISA would have detected infection by this time.
3.  No, there is no need for further testing.

You need to move forward from your fear of infection.  Further testing is not needed and would be a waste of time but talking to a knowledgeable counselor who might be able to help you put your fears to rest might be helpful.  

I hope this helps.  You need not be concerned about HIV at this time.  EWH