Anxiety is killing me

[anxiety2013]

Dear Doctor,

I beg for help as I am in a living hell. 7 weeks ago I engaged in insertive anal sex with an unknown partner that may be a very active sexual person. I used a condom but when I finished I did not check of it was broken or something.

This is my story:

Day 7: Partner tested with a Combo test and negative.
Day 15: I tested with a Duo, negative.
Day 27: I tested with a Duo, negative.
Day 35: I tested with a Duo, negative.

I know you will tell me this was conclusive. However, 6-7 weeks after I have noticed some bumps like mosquito bites, like 3 or 4 in my belly, a couple in the back and a couple in my arms. They come one after another and go after a couple of days. They are itchy. Now I am worried that my tests were wrong.

1. I am in Mexico and the lab states they use the Abbott combo test. However I dont know if I should trust them and if they use the same method as in the USA.

2. They asked me to fast (as not eating 4 hours before the test) and I probably did eat something. Does it matter?

3. I have no other major symptom, is there a chance that my bumps could be related to it?

4. Is it possible to have symptoms 7 weeks later?

5. Please be honest, with my historial, what would be the chances that I got infected in case that the condom did not work properly?

I could sound anxious and crazy, but believe me, these have been the worst 7 weeks of my life. I am not sexually active and hadnt had anything for a year before this. Now I am having trouble in my work, my family and my whole life. How can I put an end to this nightmare? Another test?

Thanks

[anxiety2013]

I surely need a menthal health specialist now, I did not take that in a bad way. Thank you for your prompt answer and May the Lord bless you. I will try to get back to normal now.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  I'll try to help.

You're letting your "right brain" (emotional) dominate your "left brain" (intellectual, analytical).  With a little objectivity, you'll understand that you are panicked over nothing.

"I know you will tell me this [your test results] was conclusive."  Exactly right.  They were -- in fact, your partner's negative combo test a week after the exposure proved you were not exposed; there was no point in you being tested.  You can't catch an infection to which you were not exposed!

As for your symptoms, you are seriously overreacting.  Test results ALWAYS overrule symptoms.  Your and your partner's test results PROVE that your symptoms are not due to HIV.  Period, full stop, no point in further discussion.  To your specific questions:

1) It's the same test everywhere.

2) I don't know why they advised you to not eat before testing.  That's dumb; it makes no difference.

3) No, it is not possible that your symptoms are due to HIV from the exposure described.

4) Acute HIV symptoms always start within 2 weeks.  Seven weeks is much too late.

5) "Please be honest...":  We are never anything but 100% honest in our replies on this forum.

Your closing paragraph is a cry for psychological help.  If your fears continue despite the overwhelming scientific evidence you do not have HIV, and the reasoned reassurance you have received -- now from me, and probably from your own doctors before now -- then nothing more I can say will make any difference.  In that case, mental health care may be required.  I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

Best wishes--  HHH, MD