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Hello I had Protected vaginal and oral with CSW Nov. 16. Had flu like illness at week 4. Fever, sore throat muscle and joint pain. Now I have one swollen lymph node behind my left ear about the size of a chick pea at first ( maybe smaller than that) (Infectious disease specialist confirmed it is a swollen Lymph node). The swelling has gone down now but it is still there. I had a sinus infection last month and have had a nose bleed last week ( I NEVER get nose bleeds) some blood in my nose when I blow it for about two weeks now. Today I found fungal infection in my groin area ( I used to get these but havent for a long time). I also had two canker sores two weeks apart and another one starting to form today. ( have not had these in about 15 years).
TESTS: 7 week HIV PCR -Negative 7 week Syphilis- Negative 10 week HIV Antibody-Negative 14 week HIV PCR AND Antibody -both Negative. 14 week Herpes 2 -Negative.
Questions:
1. Can the PCR tests be false negatives because I have an undetectable Viral Load? (I have read it is possible.) Thank you. My HIV value was 0 on both PCR tests (I beleive that is what he told me) Please explain this one in detail for me
2. Could I have NOT developed antibodies by 14 weeks? Why not? (I read it can happen.)
3. Do the Lymph node, Blood in my nose, Fungus on pubic hair and Canker sores suggest HIV infection given that the tests may not be positive yet?
4. Are the Syphilis 7 week and Herpes 2 at 14 weeks Conclusive?
5. I have read that sinus problems are common with HIV infection. Is this true?
6. The ID specialist says that canker sores would appear "All over my mouth" is this true? Would it be possible to just get one at a time?
7. He also said that lymph nodes do not worry him unless they are 1 inch in size. Do you agree with this?
8. Could one lymph node be produced by HIV ( I NEVER get swollen lymph nodes).
TESTS: 7 week HIV PCR -Negative 7 week Syphilis- Negative 10 week HIV Antibody-Negative 14 week HIV PCR AND Antibody -both Negative. 14 week Herpes 2 -Negative.
Questions:
1. Can the PCR tests be false negatives because I have an undetectable Viral Load? (I have read it is possible.) Thank you. My HIV value was 0 on both PCR tests (I beleive that is what he told me) Please explain this one in detail for me
2. Could I have NOT developed antibodies by 14 weeks? Why not? (I read it can happen.)
3. Do the Lymph node, Blood in my nose, Fungus on pubic hair and Canker sores suggest HIV infection given that the tests may not be positive yet?
4. Are the Syphilis 7 week and Herpes 2 at 14 weeks Conclusive?
5. I have read that sinus problems are common with HIV infection. Is this true?
6. The ID specialist says that canker sores would appear "All over my mouth" is this true? Would it be possible to just get one at a time?
7. He also said that lymph nodes do not worry him unless they are 1 inch in size. Do you agree with this?
8. Could one lymph node be produced by HIV ( I NEVER get swollen lymph nodes).
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question, which arrived while I was logged in. Most users shouldn't expect immediate replies!
Of all the information provided and your several questions, only one part matters: your test results. The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition. The results you report, in combination, prove you did not catch HIV. Your exposure was low risk (partner probably not infected, condom used) and your symptoms are not typical for ARS. But even if it had been very high risk or your symptoms typical, it wouldn't matter. The test results rule. You weren't infected.
Now to your specific questions:
1) PCR rarely (under 5% of the time) can be false negative -- but not beyond 4 weeks after exposure. As noted above, the combination of your result is foolproof.
2) Everybody with HIV has antibodies by 14 weeks. Any stories otherwise are an urban myth, going back to the older HIV tests not used for the past 20 years. And if somehow someone had not produced antibodies, the PCR would have been positive anyway.
3, 5-8) Your symptoms: None are typical of HIV. Even if they were, as discussed above, the test results tell the truth and symptoms often do not. Your ID doctor is correct about both the oral ulcers and lymph nodes. And no, HIV would never cause a single inflamed node.
4) Your syphilis test (7 weeks) and HSV test results (14 weeks) are conclusive.
So all is well -- no worries about HIV, herpes, or syphilis.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Of all the information provided and your several questions, only one part matters: your test results. The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition. The results you report, in combination, prove you did not catch HIV. Your exposure was low risk (partner probably not infected, condom used) and your symptoms are not typical for ARS. But even if it had been very high risk or your symptoms typical, it wouldn't matter. The test results rule. You weren't infected.
Now to your specific questions:
1) PCR rarely (under 5% of the time) can be false negative -- but not beyond 4 weeks after exposure. As noted above, the combination of your result is foolproof.
2) Everybody with HIV has antibodies by 14 weeks. Any stories otherwise are an urban myth, going back to the older HIV tests not used for the past 20 years. And if somehow someone had not produced antibodies, the PCR would have been positive anyway.
3, 5-8) Your symptoms: None are typical of HIV. Even if they were, as discussed above, the test results tell the truth and symptoms often do not. Your ID doctor is correct about both the oral ulcers and lymph nodes. And no, HIV would never cause a single inflamed node.
4) Your syphilis test (7 weeks) and HSV test results (14 weeks) are conclusive.
So all is well -- no worries about HIV, herpes, or syphilis.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Once again I agree with your ID doctor. People on effective anti-HIV treatment can have viral loads so low that PCR won't detect it. Very rare infected persons ("elite controllers") may have very low viral loads, but to my knowledge they always have enough virus in the bloodstream for PCR to detect it. Even this occurs only after months or years of infection. Anybody with recently acquired HIV always has positive PCR results. Anything else you read online is either a lie, misinformed, or otherwise screwed up.
2) I have no comment about your blood pressure except to advise you to monitor it and follow your doctor's advice if treatment is recommended.
It's obvious your ID consultant knows what s/he is talking about and understands HIV/AIDS very well. You should ask him or her any remaining questions that come up. I won't have any further comments or advice on this thread. Best wishes and stay safe.
2) I have no comment about your blood pressure except to advise you to monitor it and follow your doctor's advice if treatment is recommended.
It's obvious your ID consultant knows what s/he is talking about and understands HIV/AIDS very well. You should ask him or her any remaining questions that come up. I won't have any further comments or advice on this thread. Best wishes and stay safe.
Dr. Handsfield, Thank you very much for the assurance and clear answers to my questions. If you will kindly indulge me in one follow up.
1. What are these people talking about who claim that viral loads cannot be detected on some people? My ID Specialist says not so and so did you. Is it a case of Quackery?
2. My blood pressure has been going up from the tremendous stress of all this. At the GP in Jan. The nurse said "wow you must be stressed" after she took My BP( I was in a state of abject despair thinking I had ARS and had destroyed my 4 year old little boy by infecting his mother and bringing this to him) Do you think the blood in my nose is caused by the elevated BP from the stress ( I have never had high blood pressure before). Thank you again for your invaluable help.
1. What are these people talking about who claim that viral loads cannot be detected on some people? My ID Specialist says not so and so did you. Is it a case of Quackery?
2. My blood pressure has been going up from the tremendous stress of all this. At the GP in Jan. The nurse said "wow you must be stressed" after she took My BP( I was in a state of abject despair thinking I had ARS and had destroyed my 4 year old little boy by infecting his mother and bringing this to him) Do you think the blood in my nose is caused by the elevated BP from the stress ( I have never had high blood pressure before). Thank you again for your invaluable help.
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