Welcome to our Forum. I will try to help. The exposure that you describe was low risk for HIV. You do not know that this woman had HIV and despite her profession and that she comes from Brazil where HIV rates are relatively high, the likelihood that she has HIV is low. Even if she did have HIV, condom protected sex is safe sex, there is no known risk for HIV from receipt of oral sex, and the risk of you performing oral sex on her is miniscule- less than 1 infection per 10,000 exposures.
That said, your flu-like illness does have many characteristics of the ARS which is seen in some persons with recently acquired HIV both in terms of symptoms and timing. Thus your concerns about HIV are appropriate. (Parenthetically, when at risk persons with illnesses such as yours have been tested, less than 1% of turn out to have HIV). These symptoms are the result of interactions of newly formed antibodies to HIV and the virus. Thus within a few days after the onset of symptoms tests for HIV are typically positive. As a result, your recent negative test, more than a week or so after, is strong evidence that you did not get HIV from the exposure you have described. Thus, while results are not definitive, I do agree with you doctor.
If you wanted to be completely sure, if you get a DUO (combined HIV p24 antigen/HIV antibody) test, would be definitive for you at this time.
Finally as to the cause of your symptoms, this sort of illness could be caused by any number of different, community acquired, non-HIV viral illnesses. EWH
Now I'm extremely worried. You said that I had a lot of the symptoms of someone experiencing ARS. You also mentioned that the timing was spot on. I'm in a lot of trouble aren't i? It sounds as if this antibody test I took at 36 days post exposure was too soon. Why would my Doctor sound so confident about the results? Is it possible that he wasn't familiar with the appropriate testing timeframes?
Your reading is selective. I also told you that your exposure was safe sex and at 99% of the persons with the symptoms you experienced turn out NOT to have HIV. I agree with your doctor's assessment but would not fault you for retesting at this time. EWH
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude or dismissive of the other information that you provided to me, it's just that I'm very scared. I mean I'm only 24 years old. If I did turn out to have hiv, my life would be over. I made one stupid mistake and hope I don't have to pay such a heavy price for it. Let me ask you this: from a medical standpoint, should I test again to confirm that I'm negative? Or should it just be for peace of mind. If you were my doctor what would you recommend?
Can I get dr. Hansfields opinion on this too? Sorry, I know I have an anxiety disorder.
Dr. Handsfield will not provide his opinion. FYI, on working together on this Forum we have NEVER agreed in thousands of replies.
Deal with your anxiety. Get the repeat test I suggested- the test will be negative- then believe the result. EWH
I have another test scheduled for this Thursday the 3rd and I'm an absolute wreck. I just don't see how what I have isn't HIV. All the symptoms and timing fit the bill to the tee. This has wrecked me emotionally for the last month. Can't eat right, haven't been taking care of my hygiene, work performance has gone way down. I'm a mess.
Test came back negative! Finger prick test at 8 weeks. Doc, can I finally drop this?
dr. hook,
is my 8 week rapid finger prick test conclusive?
Yes, this is strong evidence that you were not infected. Believe your tests. EWH
so would you agree that I don't need any further testing? I was thinking about going back into planned parenthood to get a 12 week test done. I wouldn't be worried anymore, except for the symptoms I had. I don't know how they couldn't have been HIV. I mean the rash, the thrush, the body weakness.
I am sorry for all the questions, i'm just very scared.
This will be my final response. My opinion has not changed. If I were you I would not feel the need for further testing. You however need to decide about your own testing.
This thread is over. EWH