Do I need further testing ? Please help

[sunnyd665]

Hello Dr.
I was out drinking with friends in a club on the 19th of Jan 2013, that was about 61 days ago. I was too drunk to know if I had sex or not which I have no recollection of.  But assuming that there was an exposere, Worried as hell I had a HIV 1 & 2 Elisa test done on the 15th day, the result came out negative. then on the 40th day I did a Anti HIV 1 & 2  by (serum/CMIA ) and p24 test done separately and both came out Negative. By this time I started developing discomfort under my left jaw as if there was a lymph node swilling . Went to the doctor and did a ultrasound and he said he noticed nothing unusual, Was still worried cos it was always on my mind and so On the 45th day did another test Anti HIV 1 & 2 test ( electrochemiluminescence method) which has come out negative. On the 55th day I did a HIV Dou test 1 & 2 , 4th generation by CMIA   (Non Reactive  0.22) and a p24 separately and the resuts have come out Negative. now on the 58th day I did another HIV 1 & 2 ( ab, p24 ag ) test and the result is Negative. By discomfort under my left  jaw still remains to bother me . I keep on trying to feel my neck below my jaw to check for a swelling or something. Doctor, I am really scared and worried . Should I test myself again now that I have crossed 8 weeks with Negative results. Can the cause of the discomfort/ pain under my jaw be because I am consious and worried all the time.  Pls advice. Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  My suspicion is that you were not exposed. If you had sex you would have remembered it (or if you really drink so much that you have no memory of the events, you have a drinking problem which you should address as a health priority).  That said, you now have repeated negative definitive tests which actually prove that you did not get HIV on January 19th.  The combination of negative p24 antigen and antibody tests, whether done as separate tests or as a DUO test, is definitive at any time more than 4 weeks (28 days) after exposure.  Thus you can be quite confident that you were not infected even in the unlikely circumstance that you were infected.

I hope these comments clarify things.   I would not worry further.  EWH

[sunnyd665]

Thank you very much Dr. Edward. Am feeling better already. Thank you once again. You have a great day.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct  EWH

[sunnyd665]

Thank you Dr. Edward, So the bottom line from what I understand is that I do not need further testing . I am fine and can go on with my normal life less worrying about HIV.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The discomfort under your jaw is not a manifestation of HIV or other STD.  If it bothers you however, my advice is to seek evaluation- this could be a manifestation of dental disease or otehr problems.  EWH

[sunnyd665]

Thank you very much Dr. Edward for the quick reply. Do I ignore the discomfort under my Jaw. Should I be concerned about it.