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[Vcosta]

Hello Doctor-again.

I am feeling a little better but not quite myself. I had a few additional questions for you.

1. How reliable is a 4 week antibody test (clearview 1/2 stat pak)
2. Are these symptoms indication of anything and if they were due to HIV would my test come back + at 4 weeks. They started at around 3 1/2.
-sore throat (3 days)
-left ear pain on and off
-extreme coughing with phlegm
-runny nose
-and recently, I feel muscle spasms on mostly my legs but sometimes on my hands too!

My exposure as I had mentioned was a scare of a reused lancet a PPH. Update since then, I went in they showed me which they use there they said they only use 2 kinds but the one used on me looked like neither. She swore that for the last 11 years that's the only type they order but I know for sure it wasn't either because I remember how it looked. My problem is the medical tech who did my testing was let go and I cant ask her any questions-that scared me. If that's the only 2 they use where did she get the one used on me:/

Please doctor tell me your thoughts.

[Vcosta]

Thank you and sorry for such a long thread.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My advice would be to believe the 4 week result.

Time for this thread to end

EWH

[Vcosta]

Thank you, I hope that I am indeed over reacting. Should I still test at 6 weeks or should I just rely on my 4 week result?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in my opinion or recommendation.  Your doctor's estimate is too high.

Fever is typically present in the ARS.

IF the lancet was reused ( and I doubt that it was) it was not no risk becasue in science we can never say never..  Just as I cannpt promise you that you will not be run over by a glacier while reaing this, I cnanot promise you that transmission woul occur but it is about equally likely.

I think you are over reacting.  

EWH

[Vcosta]

Doctor Hook? Any comments on what my GP said and lancet transmission.

Thank you.

[Vcosta]

Ohh and I forgot to mention. My GP also said I have very swollen neck nodes:/

[Vcosta]

Thank you Dr. Hook. I wish I could stay off this site and enjoy this time. But each time I try I keep getting bad news, except that negative 4 week test-which felt great hearing.

My husband just started feeling very ill also. Same symptoms, no fever at all just like me. Would ARS always cause a fever?

My next and final question is if the lancet had been reused is there a zero risk of transmission. On the community forum everyone keeps saying that even if it had been reused a lancet wouldn't be effective ever in transmitting. I addressed my fears with my GP doctor and he seemed worried and said that it was a 10% that it would be transmitted. Is it really that high a chance? Thank you again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm sorry that you feel the need to return to our site.  As I have said before, I know that pregnancy can amplify normal concerns but I honestly think you are over reacting and that you were never at risk.  The scenario that you describe is just too unlikely to be realistic.  I will address your questions but my sincere advice is that you need to discuss these fears with a counselor or trained mental health professional- they are not helping you during what shoul be a happy time for you.

The test you mention is a test for HIV antibodies. These tests will detect over 90% of recently acquired HIV infections at 4 weeks following exposure.  In persons who develop symptoms of early HIV infection, the tests become positive within a few days of the beginning if symptoms and certainly within 5-7 days.  As for the symptoms you describe, they do not suggest early HIV infection and are more consistent with a cold or other upper respiratory tract infectiontion than early HIV.

I hope my comments will help to reduce your fears an anxiety.  EWH