Looking for possible answers..

[unknownhotelier]

I have had multiple HIV tests  9 rapid tests, 3 duo tests, 1 tri dot test, and 1 qualitative pcr test over the period of 8 months after exposure which were all negative. This all started after 10 days of exposure back in October '14. Just to mention I m currently putting up in East Africa

Had various symptoms like persistent sore throat, chronic diarrhea , fatigue, sometimes dull groin ache, high ESR inflammation rate, elevated liver enzymes... At this moment I m having canker sores and burning tounge from a mint or so, bumps in groin area ...
I have also had entire STD screening by Feb which was negative ...  Have tested negative for Hep B, Hep C
I am really tired is there anything to be worried about regarding HIV... Can I rely on my tests ...  

The quality of my life has gone worst surviving through constant pain, fear and depression..

Any other std's to worry about ??? Any other tests to check through??

[mkh9]

Hi , and I don't think  your question is stupid at all.  I know what you are talking about. Firstly, the risks you have are low. So that is good. But in any case the type of test you are talking about where they miss the "window" period due to low immunity for example or the antibody is delayed due to low immunity is not going to happen with the 4th gen test because it also checks for the HIV antigen. So that takes care of that problem.  So yes 3 months is more than enough for this test.

I have seen the old test have a very rare test fail but that was when they didn't have the antigen test with it. They relied on antibody only. So this test is better in that it doesn't rely on someones immune system only. So no not for this test.

There is a virus but that is only for a leuckemia not your type of symptoms or problem. You would have a extremely high white blood cell count.

And there is a HIV like virus you get only from Asian people but it is not HIV or AID'S. It is an anxiety you get from the virus. This is not a mutation of the HIV virus or a new HIV virus it is a different virus. They just call it the HIV like virus because people think they have HIV when they have it. It is weird. It is a neurological problem they get from the virus where they keep testing themselves over and over and over thinking they have HIV but they don't.  Here is a link if you wan to read about it:
https://sites.google.com/site/newhivaidslikeviruschina/
mkh9

[unknownhotelier]

HI,
I apologise in advance for likely being stupid or whatever

It might seem  be for the anxiety/curiosity sake but I had a question, since you being a microbiologist have you ever had to deal with the reliability or accuracy of HIV tests at 3 months or more??? my most tests being rapid one, and 4th gen test at/after 6 months

Any types of strains that could be missed or something. Would you agree with the doctors on expert forum, where they say that 3 months would be enough.

Have you ever had personally seen any such situations where modern tests fail to detect an infection for HIV after 3 months due to whatever reason like new virus strains/or  delayed antibody response. Would you judge my response for antibody production to be compromised in any way??

Thanks Again!!!

[mkh9]

Hi, sure you can write to me when you need to. Did you say you were tested for Gonorrhoeae (GC)? It isn't likely with your type of exposure but to rule it out is good. I don't think it is causing your symptoms. Often after having H.pylori and being treated you are supposed to get follow up testing with a urea breath test or stool antigen test to make sure it didn't come back. I think this is a couple of months after treatment. That is something to think about.  With your Hidradenitis  problem it can cause a blockage in the I think small tubes inside the scrotum area and might causing pain. I don't know if that is what is causing the problem. You could get maybe an ultrasound. or have them recheck the status of that.

That is all I can think about right now. If you have anything else in the way of particular symptoms that stand out let me know.
mkh9

[unknownhotelier]

Hi,

Well i do get the point that my std blood work is fine.... would you recommend anything in that arena where you think that there might be  a faint possibility. Well its the exposure after which my body started acting real weird. There is always something or other which is irritating and i am not able to identify the root cause of it.

I m on current medication for cholesterol which is lowering it and my blood pressure medication is also working fine...

I try to eat as much vegan as i could but i dont think i would be hundred percent... I know my dietary habits are not real good and it seems to be almost impossible for me to switch over to home made food...

My usage for steroid based cream was only for like 3-4days ... and eczema has cleared ... and i think i will apply once or twice a week for a month or so....

My recent issue being the acne in pelvic area ... i went to my Doc... He gave me fusic acid cream... but the area has swelling and is painful and kinnda creating a discomfort in groin area. I am not too sure if the ointment has worked.

PS:- I would really like to thank you for the support that you have been providing. I would like to be in constant touch with you over this forum for your extended support, Hope you wont mind.

Regards

K.B
  

[mkh9]

Hi, well, your blood work regarding the STD and HIV are normal and I can't think of anything else to do with the exposure you had.

Since you had H. pylori and were treated for it the diarrhea after the antibiotics is normal because it caused your normal intestinal bacteria to get off. So then it returned to normal after a while.

You can lower your cholesterol by eating less meat, little oil or oil and eat omega 3 like freshly ground flax seed or fish oil pills. I like ground flax seed on my cereal and it is good for you. But if you get it you have to either get a grinder and once you grind it you have to put it in the refrigerator because it gets deactivated.  This will really help raise your good cholesterol HDL. Eat more green leafy vegetables and whole grains and less meat and fat. No trans fat and no oil other than olive oil. I cook without oil an use water instead.

If you really want to change your diet go vegan. It is hard at first. If interested  I have a book that will reverse your cholesterol etc. It worked for my and my husband and for our blood pressure.

Your "high" protein and Albumin are only slightly high too.  This could be due to dehyrdation, or too much protein in the diet or other things. But it isn't that high.

Regarding the eczema on the chest I have eczema on my hands and legs and have really almost gotten rid of it and off of steroids. You have to be really careful not to over do it with steroid ointments. You can shut down your adrenal glands and get really sick or feel bad. So this may be why.  How much are you using and how often? It is supposed to be a very very thin layer and only on a small area at a time.  I would help you taper off. But you can start with going down on the amount at a time you use. If it is twice a day go to once a day for a few days then every other day for  a week. then every third day for a couple of weeks then stop. So what I do is use Cetaphil Restoraderm. You can buy it on line at CVS, Riteaid or drugstore.com. where ever you want. Put it on after a shower. You pat dry yourself and gently rub it on areas you have trouble with. Try not to use very hot water. Also, you may find you have allergies to some things and so switch to fragrance free detergents and so forth.

Regarding the high white count you had that came down. It did sound bacterial and 9,000 WBC is really in the normal range. So, I think that is okay.

The bumps in the groin area may be your Hidradenitis  supprativa problem. So try not to scratch or touch the area and wash gently with a fragrance free soap. Also, if it does get infected you can try a triple antibiotic ointment. Or see your doctor.

Take care,
mkh9

[unknownhotelier]

Well My long post along with a long list of tests and its outcomes. I am sorry but am looking out to solve this maze!!!!!!

U know well about HIV ones. all 4th Gen tests we after 4 months of any sexual contact. Last one being in last weekof Dec'14... which was receiving fellatio. Test were in & after April. Last 4th gen test by past monday. All of this started after Exposure in OCT'14. It was protected penatrative... unprotected Oral.. receiving and performing. I am straight.

It started in OCT'14 10 days after exposure as fatigue and general unwell feeling. Doctor checked CBC it was 15,000.. Leukocytes were high.  Doc said seems like Bacterial Infection gave antibiotics  CBC came back to Higher Normal Range. 9,000.

I dont know but it always remains in that range.... I hadn't checked it earlier before the fatigue thing

After that sore throat started ... Remained till March... ENT doc and Gen.Physician said Acid Reflux started med for same like Omeprezol

In Jan !5' we found H.Pylori and treated it. Since then soft stools and diaherreah like 3 to 4 times a day. Came back to normal cycle three weeks earlier... like 1 or 2 a day.  

By starting of Feb the tests for STDs were as follows...



Hep B Rapid - Negative
Chalmydia Trachomatis IgG & IgM - Negative
Herpes Type1  IgG - Serum - Negative
Herpes Type 2 IgG - Serum - Negative
Herpes 1+2 IgM - Serum - Negative
Gonococcal Antibodies - Negative
PCR- HIV Qualitative - Negative
RpR (VDRL) - Serum - Negative

So I went to India. To check further after this.... Had a tummy sonography found Fatty Liver Grade 1.... (High Cholestrol as well). Thyroid was Negative.


Came back to East Africa, stomach Issues were still there so went to new doc ... found Yeast.. treated ...

Still stomach issues (Bowel Movements) were persistent checked LFT... were high... ESR was also high Its coming down on its own... topped alcohol completely ...

One doctor also said IBS... Checked stool for parasites and othe things but nothing found(Specialises in gatsro) it was by last month

LFT coming to normal ... Current values by last week as as follows

Total s- Bilirubin - 5 (3-26)
Bilirubin Conjuated, ser -  4 (2-7)
S-Alkaline phosphatase - 58 (53-128)
S-g-Glyutamyl Transferase - 49 (0-50)
S - Alt 49 (h) (10 -40)
S-Ast 31 (15-40) was high but not too much
s-total Protein  82 (H) 60-80
S- albumin 51 (H) 35-48.


Have also had Hep C antibody test which was neg(2 times).
Hep B rapid - Negative(Second Time)
Hep B Surface Ab(HBsAb) - Negative
Hep B Surface Ab value 0,00  

Last week i got 1st vaccine for Hep B.


My problems :

Fatigue... Non Refreshing Sleep, always feeling tired. small tiny red dots on tummy that i scratch and it bleeds a tiny bit. Have eczema on chest, started applying steroid based cream. Unwell feeling all the time. Mood swings. one or two bumps on scrotum can exactly say how it looks.. but its not big hurts a little feels like being beneath the skin ... coarse feeling on skin no water kind a liquid .One in the pelvic area at the moment looks like red acne and hurts a lot.

Three years back wen i was in london was diagnosed as having Hidradenitis suppurativa... also had surgery near buttocks but it was not exactly a fistula surgery....

Also suffer from High Blood Pressure. Thats my history almost most of it!!!!

Plus i stay away from home... Single and also like work between 12-14 hrs a day with a high pressure!!!!!!!  

[mkh9]

It looks like you have covered HIV. The duo 4th generation test is the best one out there. Is that the kind you had? What time frames did you take the test? It is really the best at 40-45 days but you can take it as early as 10 days to detect the antigen. at 40 days you can detect the antigen and antibody. So it is really accurate. If that is what you had you can forget about HIV. Put in the past.

Which STD tests did you cover? Did you test for genital herpes? What do the genital bumps look like? Do they hurt?

You could get a stool and blood parasite test done and a throat culture. Do you have a fever?

Canker sores are common. Everyone gets them and it is nothing to worry about they will go away.

What kind of pain do you have other than the sore throat and canker sores?

I'm sorry about the depression. You have ruled out all the STD's it sounds like so I would stop worrying about HIV and try to forget about the exposure and live your life. Too many people dwell on a mistake and think that their symptoms are related that one mistake. I don't think these are related. So, lets move forward and see if we can find out what is making you feel bad. Okay?

mkh9