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Tests Efficiency and Window Periods Questions
Hi Dr.Handsfield and Dr. Hook,
I'm a male. At 12 weeks after a sexual exposure, I have taken HIV I & II Antigen and Antibody Test (Blood Test), Syphilis VDRL (Blood Test), HSV Type I IgG and HSV Type II IgG (Blood Test), Gonococcal PCR (Urine Test), Chlamydia PCR (Urine Test) and Hepatitis C antibody (Blood Test) as advised by a doctor. Results all negative for the above mentioned tests. I'm immunized to Hepatitis B. I have some questions regarding the activities within the 12 weeks period that concern me the efficiency of the tests:
1) I had hair follicles clogged inflammation in pubic area (as diagnosed by doctor). Doctor gave me gentamicin cream, a antibiotic cream to apply to the infected areas. Can this cream affect the bacterial STD tests/window periods like Syphilis VDRL and the PCR urine tests for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia?
2) I sprained my ankle. Doctor prescribed me with NSAID orally, Etoricoxib and Diclofenac Sodium to help with the pain. Can these medicines affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
3) Due to my job nature as a salesman, I drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes occasionally. Do alcohol drinking and smoking affect any of the tests above even if they were consumed a night before the tests being taken (in the morning)?
4) I was anxious in the 12 weeks period. Doctor prescribed me with Xanax (Alprazolam) initially then discontinued, continued with medicine called Liblan (which contains Clidinium Bromide and Chlordiazepoxide). Doctor said Chlordiazepoxide can calm my anxiety. Can these medicines (or generally any relaxant medicines and sleeping pills) affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
5) In the 12 weeks, I did masturbate many times and had only few times of fully condom-protected sex with my girlfriend which she is 100% HIV negative and all STDs negative. Do masturbation and sexual intercourse with a HIV negative and all STDs negative person affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
Thanks, doctor.
I'm a male. At 12 weeks after a sexual exposure, I have taken HIV I & II Antigen and Antibody Test (Blood Test), Syphilis VDRL (Blood Test), HSV Type I IgG and HSV Type II IgG (Blood Test), Gonococcal PCR (Urine Test), Chlamydia PCR (Urine Test) and Hepatitis C antibody (Blood Test) as advised by a doctor. Results all negative for the above mentioned tests. I'm immunized to Hepatitis B. I have some questions regarding the activities within the 12 weeks period that concern me the efficiency of the tests:
1) I had hair follicles clogged inflammation in pubic area (as diagnosed by doctor). Doctor gave me gentamicin cream, a antibiotic cream to apply to the infected areas. Can this cream affect the bacterial STD tests/window periods like Syphilis VDRL and the PCR urine tests for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia?
2) I sprained my ankle. Doctor prescribed me with NSAID orally, Etoricoxib and Diclofenac Sodium to help with the pain. Can these medicines affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
3) Due to my job nature as a salesman, I drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes occasionally. Do alcohol drinking and smoking affect any of the tests above even if they were consumed a night before the tests being taken (in the morning)?
4) I was anxious in the 12 weeks period. Doctor prescribed me with Xanax (Alprazolam) initially then discontinued, continued with medicine called Liblan (which contains Clidinium Bromide and Chlordiazepoxide). Doctor said Chlordiazepoxide can calm my anxiety. Can these medicines (or generally any relaxant medicines and sleeping pills) affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
5) In the 12 weeks, I did masturbate many times and had only few times of fully condom-protected sex with my girlfriend which she is 100% HIV negative and all STDs negative. Do masturbation and sexual intercourse with a HIV negative and all STDs negative person affect any window periods or any of the tests above?
Thanks, doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the thanks. Glad to have helped.
Hi Dr. Handsfield,
Thanks for your very quick reply.
Your reply is very assuring. I will be confident with my test results and move on.
Regarding the Hepatitis C, I got to know that it is a not a STD from this forum too. When I took the tests, it's more like a Complete STD Panel Tests, which even my doctor agreed that Hepatitis C cannot (or very rarely) transmitted by sex. But, anyway, I'm glad I didn't have it as well.
Thanks a lot, doc! You are such a great help. Good evening.
Thanks for your very quick reply.
Your reply is very assuring. I will be confident with my test results and move on.
Regarding the Hepatitis C, I got to know that it is a not a STD from this forum too. When I took the tests, it's more like a Complete STD Panel Tests, which even my doctor agreed that Hepatitis C cannot (or very rarely) transmitted by sex. But, anyway, I'm glad I didn't have it as well.
Thanks a lot, doc! You are such a great help. Good evening.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. I had just come on line for a last check at the end of the day when it came in. Most users shouldn't expect such quick replies!
My initial comments come after the opening of your question, before reading anything after "I have some questions regarding the activities within the 12 weeks period that concern me the efficiency of the tests".
The HIV blood tests are among the robust diagnostic tests for any medical condition that exists. Virtually nothing affects the reliability of the results beyond 6-8 weeks -- and especially after a duo or combo test for both HIV antibody and antigen. Regardless of what the rest of your question says, you can be 100% certain you didn't acquire HIV during whatever exposure you are concerned about. And the other STD tests are almost as good; you can be very confident as well about your results for syphilis, HSV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis C. (Hep C isn't an STD, so you probably weren't at risk for that anyway.)
Now having looked at the rest of the question: None of the factors in your numbered questions had any effect at all on any of your tests -- either in the window period or in overall reliability. You can be completely confident in the results and do not need any further tests. If you are concerned about transmitting anything to your partner, it's no longer an issue; you can stop using condoms, assuming you're both now monogamous and don't need them for contraception.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
My initial comments come after the opening of your question, before reading anything after "I have some questions regarding the activities within the 12 weeks period that concern me the efficiency of the tests".
The HIV blood tests are among the robust diagnostic tests for any medical condition that exists. Virtually nothing affects the reliability of the results beyond 6-8 weeks -- and especially after a duo or combo test for both HIV antibody and antigen. Regardless of what the rest of your question says, you can be 100% certain you didn't acquire HIV during whatever exposure you are concerned about. And the other STD tests are almost as good; you can be very confident as well about your results for syphilis, HSV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis C. (Hep C isn't an STD, so you probably weren't at risk for that anyway.)
Now having looked at the rest of the question: None of the factors in your numbered questions had any effect at all on any of your tests -- either in the window period or in overall reliability. You can be completely confident in the results and do not need any further tests. If you are concerned about transmitting anything to your partner, it's no longer an issue; you can stop using condoms, assuming you're both now monogamous and don't need them for contraception.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
