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Am I Good on Testing and being Negative?
Hi Dr. Hook/Handsfield,
I have been married faithfully to my wife for 4 years, she has been faithful also. Recently I felt like I was having HIV symptoms so I got a HIV Antibody blood test with my doctor. My wife also had one. Both our tests came back negative. So that was pretty nice and reassuring. But I was still unsure so I did two Oraquick Home test a few weeks apart from each other. I just did these, my wife only did the test at the doctors office and no at home tests. Both these tests also came back negative. So I am feeling pretty good about this. But I have a few questions.
1) Do I need to test anymore with a RNA or DNA test or any other type?
2) The negative tests wins out over symptoms every time no matters what the symptoms are?
3) Did I over test?
4) Can any medicines/illnesses/diseases/or waiting to long to test cause a false negative after the window period?
5) Can I be assured we are HIV negative without a doubt?
6) Is it time to stop being paranoid and move on with life and be happy we are HIV negative and stop thinking about HIV?
Thank you for your time and expertise!
I have been married faithfully to my wife for 4 years, she has been faithful also. Recently I felt like I was having HIV symptoms so I got a HIV Antibody blood test with my doctor. My wife also had one. Both our tests came back negative. So that was pretty nice and reassuring. But I was still unsure so I did two Oraquick Home test a few weeks apart from each other. I just did these, my wife only did the test at the doctors office and no at home tests. Both these tests also came back negative. So I am feeling pretty good about this. But I have a few questions.
1) Do I need to test anymore with a RNA or DNA test or any other type?
2) The negative tests wins out over symptoms every time no matters what the symptoms are?
3) Did I over test?
4) Can any medicines/illnesses/diseases/or waiting to long to test cause a false negative after the window period?
5) Can I be assured we are HIV negative without a doubt?
6) Is it time to stop being paranoid and move on with life and be happy we are HIV negative and stop thinking about HIV?
Thank you for your time and expertise!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In the US, public health experts recommend that everybody have an HIV test at least once, regardless of known risks; and all people who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should be tested from time to time. Therefore, it was entirely reasonable for you and your wife to be tested. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.
At 4-5 years after catching HIV, many people would have symptoms but probably under half. By itself, presence or absence of symptoms makes no difference one way or the other in judging whether you might have HIV. However, as already discussed, the blood test results are conclusive. All is well, no worries.
At 4-5 years after catching HIV, many people would have symptoms but probably under half. By itself, presence or absence of symptoms makes no difference one way or the other in judging whether you might have HIV. However, as already discussed, the blood test results are conclusive. All is well, no worries.
Sorry forgot one thing.
Thank you Dr. Handsfield!
Both my wife and I had sexual partners before we were married 4 years ago. that was what concerned me when I had some symptoms. Plus it seemed like the responsible thing to do since we had partners before marriage. Not sure if that changes your advice/assessment any?
I'm guessing if I had one of those life threatening illnesses it would be obvious and I would know?
Thank you doctor! Giving your time back like this is really cool!
Thank you Dr. Handsfield!
Both my wife and I had sexual partners before we were married 4 years ago. that was what concerned me when I had some symptoms. Plus it seemed like the responsible thing to do since we had partners before marriage. Not sure if that changes your advice/assessment any?
I'm guessing if I had one of those life threatening illnesses it would be obvious and I would know?
Thank you doctor! Giving your time back like this is really cool!
Thank you Dr. Handsfield!
Both my wife and I had sexual partners before we were married 4 years ago. that was what concerned me when I had some symptoms. Plus it seemed like the responsible thing to do since we had partners before marriage. Not sure if that changes your advice/assessment any?
Thank you doctor! Giving your time back like this is really cool!
Both my wife and I had sexual partners before we were married 4 years ago. that was what concerned me when I had some symptoms. Plus it seemed like the responsible thing to do since we had partners before marriage. Not sure if that changes your advice/assessment any?
Thank you doctor! Giving your time back like this is really cool!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
I really don't understand why you had HIV tests at all; obviously, you have not been at risk sexually, and if your wife has not had other partners, neither is she. If in addition neither of you is an injection drug user, then there was no need for HIV testing.
To your questions:
1) Unless there are recent risks for HIV that you haven't mentioned, you can rely 100% on the tests already done and do not need PCR testing.
2) Correct. You don't describe your symptoms, but it doesn't matter at this point. The HIV blood tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests that exist, for any medical condition, and the results always overrule any and all symptoms, no matter how typical for HIV they may seem to be.
3) Yes, you overtested. Perhaps your initial test was warranted, depending on past exposures or symptoms. But certainly your wife didn't need testing and you didn't need any beyond the first negative result.
4) There are no medications or illnesses that make HIV testing unreliable, except maybe potent chemotherapy, terminal cancer, and a fiew other life threatening conditions. Even these have only theoretical effects, with few or no actual cases of actual interference with HIV testing.
5) Yes.
7) Yes, for sure. I'm glad you recognize it!
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I really don't understand why you had HIV tests at all; obviously, you have not been at risk sexually, and if your wife has not had other partners, neither is she. If in addition neither of you is an injection drug user, then there was no need for HIV testing.
To your questions:
1) Unless there are recent risks for HIV that you haven't mentioned, you can rely 100% on the tests already done and do not need PCR testing.
2) Correct. You don't describe your symptoms, but it doesn't matter at this point. The HIV blood tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests that exist, for any medical condition, and the results always overrule any and all symptoms, no matter how typical for HIV they may seem to be.
3) Yes, you overtested. Perhaps your initial test was warranted, depending on past exposures or symptoms. But certainly your wife didn't need testing and you didn't need any beyond the first negative result.
4) There are no medications or illnesses that make HIV testing unreliable, except maybe potent chemotherapy, terminal cancer, and a fiew other life threatening conditions. Even these have only theoretical effects, with few or no actual cases of actual interference with HIV testing.
5) Yes.
7) Yes, for sure. I'm glad you recognize it!
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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