Doubting

[sussex121]

late Nov - protected anal sex with CSW shemale and unprotected oral. She/he rubbed unprotected penis on anus for less than 20 seconds and then asked to stop.  tested neg at 6 weeks and again at 12.

Full std panel (apartfrom HPV) all neg apart from Goner.

I am HSV2 + (with no sores)

At 12 weeks got a rash on my torso, arms and Neck

Now at 6 months and have the following

Dry Cough caused My mucus for teh last 6 weeks
Blocked nose and head cold feeing for last 6 weeks
Waking with numb fingers druing the night
Swollen nodes in groin (mainly right hand side) and neck for last 4 weeks
Neck and shoulder discomfort
Knee and Elbow aches for teh last 4 weeks
Slight Ear aches
Slight Headaches

Questions
Does neg at 6 and 12 weeks really mean negative?
Do the above systompns add up to HIV?
What factors come into play for a doctor to advise testing at 6 months?
Do the labs ever make mistakes?
Coudl I have contracted anything in november that coudl be casuing this?

[sussex121]

thanks doc - i will endevour to move on

[Edward W Hook, MD]

These are non-specific symptoms.  They could be anything but HIV (because you have proof that it is not).  If they trouble you- see your doctor.

Why do you persist with this? You cannot stop so I will.  Further qustions/comments will be deletd.

[sussex121]

FINAL
I appreciate I do not have ARS but woudl i show the above symptoms if I had serconverted and was HIV+

My neck and joints really hurt, my nodes in my groin are nearly visable (only one side) and I cant shake the cough and sniffles

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are clearly having trouble accepting the 3 month test.  In my experience I have never seen a patient become HIV positive following having a negative test at 12 weeks.,  Does that mean that it doesn't happen- no but it is exceedingly rare.

As for your smptoms, I will not repeat myself other than to say that, gvien the information you have provided, they are not due to HIV.  Please no more repetitive questions- I have said what I have to say.  EWH

[sussex121]

do you ever see 12 week -ves go postive?

whilst I accept these symptoms are not ARS as it is 6 months post exposure, coudl it be anything else HIV connected?

i think perhaps I am haveing difficulty in accepting the 3 month test

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Easy questions becasue you have negative tests at 6 and 12 weeks.  In this context, you can be sure that you do not have HIV.

As for your symptoms, you probably missed our repeated statements that the symptoms of the ARS are TOTALLY non-specific and when people experience "ARS symptoms" they are much more likely to have something else, usually some other, more typical virus infection.  When this has been studied in the US, less than 1% of persons seeking medical care for "ARS symptoms" are found to have HIV, the remainder having symptoms due to other processes.  In addition, it is also important to realize that many person who acquire HIV do not experience the ARS.  For a person to try to judge their HIV risk based on "ARS symptoms" is a waste of time. I don't doubt the symptoms you report but they are not due to HIV.  If they are troubling you, you need to see your health care provider for evaluation.

In my mind, doctors who advice repeat testing are overly conservative.  By 12 wks well over 99% of tests that are going to be positive will be.  I only recommend testing at 6 moths for those at highest risk ( and you are not one of those)

Labs hardly ever make mistakes and not twice (remember you were tested at 6 and 12 weeks).

Alternative diagnoses- beyond the scope of this site.  Please discuss with your health care provider.  

Hope this helps.  EWH