STD's window period

[Andy180]

I had unprotected sex 13 weeks ago.  I got tested at 3,9 and 11 weeks for HIV 1& 2, Herpes simplex 1 &2, syphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia etc.  All were negative.  Is there a window period for the STD's.
Do i need to get tested again.  Please respond

[AndrewDG89]

To be honest hiv window period isn't conclusive after 3 months. It's conclusive after 6 months its 100% conclusive because  it is for those with suppressed immune systems etc. So everyone should go for 6 months to rule out hiv as for rest stds it's 3 months

[auntiejessi]

OK but you don't need to do the STD tests every time you have an HIV test.  Whether or not you have HIV (which is still doutful), you have more than passed the time frames for other stds.  You would have shown up positive already for those.  I promise.  Syphilis is a month, tops, and gonorrhea and chlamydia are about a week, tops.

I don't know if your doc is just trying to make money, but the other std tests are useless now, and having them is just contributing to your anxiety.

There is no risk for hep c, as that is blood to blood transmission only, and if you haven't used IV drugs, you are really at no risk for that, and if you want to at least rule it out, get a hep a test, but that's not likely either.  If you have that, you got it from contaminated foods.

AJ

[Andy180]

Thanks!!!!.  You have been great and very supportive.

The doctor says even after 3 months test (ELISA 3rd generation), there is still a chance upto 6 months. Therefore he recommends doing all the STD now and then at 6 months.  I will also do the HEP B test. Do i also need to do HEP A and C?.  I did do all those tests at week 9 (HEP A,B,C).

[auntiejessi]

OK I don't know where you are, but ask for a HIV DNA test if it will make you feel better.

Even older tests are still very accurate at 3 months.

You also wouldn't be having symptoms this soon from HIV.

But its your money, and your time.  You just aren't doing yourself any foavors by only focusing on an std when it most likley isn't the cause of your symptoms.

AJ

[Andy180]

is HIV an std??.  Is 11 week conclusive, they say 3 months (so 1 week too early) and they say it can be 6 months here .  I know they use ELISA third generation here, maybe that is why it takes 6 months.

[auntiejessi]

You don't need any further STD testing.  You just don't.  You have had negative tests in the appropriate time tables, and they are negative.

You need to move on from an std, and look at other causes.

There are literally hundreds of different viruses, and only a handful of them are STDs.

You are negative for STDs, and your doc shouldn't be running any more of them, and needs to start looking for other causes.

AJ

[Andy180]

I am getting a complete blood work done again.  For the 4th time, including all the STD tests ( same as week 11).  It will be 14 week after exposure.  What else can i do. I haven't been so many times to a doctor during the course of my life as i have in the past 2.5 months.  Is there any additional tests like PCR, DNA tests which i should do to make sure.

[Andy180]

that is exactly what i am afraid of.  A virus>>>, with all the symptoms>>>

[auntiejessi]

It doesn't seem to be an STD, so you need to follow up with your doc, and demand some answers.

If all your blood work is ok, it might just be a virus.

AJ

[Andy180]

Any further advise would be appreciated.

[Andy180]

I had blood tests done (complete works) with RBC, WBC, Liver enzymes,renal function.  Got CT scan also done of the stomach, intestine, bowel.
I have given up really.  Don't know anymore.  I think i am going down, my whole system seems to be failing, one thing after another.  If it is not HIV what could it be.  Maybe it will show up later due to possibly weakened immune system with all the antibiotics i have taken.
I don't know really.  Doctors don't know with all the test but physically i know what i feel.  Thanks for all your kind words.

[auntiejessi]

Umm maybe with hep b, but it would still be very early to get symptoms of hep b, but if you tested for that at 9 weeks, and were negative, then I'd really doubt its hep b.  9 weeks is the outset for when people would show positive, and 4 weeks is average.

Since your stool is different, have you had any stool samples tested?  Any liver testing?

AJ

[Andy180]

can this all be caused by hepatatis B.  DO i need to get tested for this.  Have not been.  Only got that test at week 3 and 9.

[auntiejessi]

Perhaps you have some kind of fungal infection because of all the antibiotics you are taking.

I don't know what it is, as I'm not a doc, but even if you had HIV, you wouldn't be having all these symptoms this soon.

AJ

[Andy180]

Any advise

[Andy180]

Problem is that i have all the symptoms.  Here is lists of what i had during this time:

1.  Low grade fever (2 weeks after exposure, for 2 weeks, around 99 F).
2.  Skin irritation (never had this before), still have it, palms of my hands are peeling every day for the last 4 weeks. showed it to doctor, he said viral infection and my mind was immediately HIV. Looks like psoriasis, also burning skin.
3.  Peripheral neuropathy (chronic), took b12 injections and they seem to work.  No more burning sensation, well only occassionally.  Have had 5 shots so far, every week.  Tried tablets for 3 weeks no effect so had to turn to injections
4.  Stools which are not the same as before, also indication of b12 deficiency (floating stools).
5.  Chest infection twice ( i do smoke and increase since the epiosde)
6.  Lump close to my thigh ( 2 x times, same spot), bacterial infection but it is now cleared.

Been on antibiotics alot, 6 course so far and still am due to chest infection.  Have had complete blood work done 4 times.  Everything OK. Went to neurologist, went to cardiologist as my pulse was up and down. Went to urologist for lump.  Went to dermatologist.  
Don't know anymore, please guide me.

[auntiejessi]

You can stop testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and probably herpes.

HIV can take 3 months to show up, but you tested at 11 weeks, and one week won't make any difference.  95% would show positive by the end of 8 weeks anyway, so you don't have that.  Herpes can take up to 16 weeks, but the huge majority of folks would test positive by 8 weeks or so, and unless you have symptoms, I'd stop worrying about that.

Gonorrhea and chlaymdia would show up in less than a week, and syphilis you'd know by a month.

You can relax now.  :)

AJ