Worry

[BamBamBig]

Dear Doctor,

I do realize these questions have been answered before, and I apologize for the redundancy, but it will help relieve my anxiety about it.

I was dating a girl for a couple years, whom I broke up with almost two years ago now.  The main reason I left my ex then was that she had sex (vaginal, oral, and anal) with another man.  As far as I know, before that man she had tested negative for HIV and she also claimed she used a condom with that man (which of course is somewhat questionable).  I have not spoken to her since, so I would not know any updated status.

If I remember correctly, I had unprotected vaginal and oral sex (maybe anal) one or two times with her after that man and then decided I should no longer see her.  I was blood tested at a well established medical lab, I believe about 12 weeks after that encounter and the result was negative.  I didn't worry about it until now, almost 2 years later, when I've been more sexually active with my current girlfriend.  My questions are:

1)  Can you confirm that the 12 week blood test is conclusive, definitive, and that I don't have HIV.  Should I be worried whatsoever about the 'up to 6 month' window period, which seems to be somewhat discredited here and there while other places claim it.  (I have a good immune system and only got a fever once in the last 2 years, 7 months after the encounter.)  

2)  Is there any need to be retested?  

3) I have never had any symptoms as far as I know, but I did get a what was diagnosed as poison ivy about 3-4 months after the encounter (right after a camping trip).  It went away and the itch stopped with steroids.  My girlfriend recently got sick and had hives.  They went away with benadryl.  Several doctors saw hers and no one was worried.  Is there any concern here?

Essentially I'm trying to put this behind me.  I could get retested, but neither I nor my girlfriend want that.  Is the 12 weeks negative test I had good enough to stop worrying completely?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The result is equally certain whether done at 10 or 12 weeks.  Almost all newly infected people have positive results by 6-8 weeks.  Move on.

[BamBamBig]

Thank you.  One quick follow-up.  If it was 10 weeks would that be conclusive in this situation as well?  It was at least 10 weeks, though I do think it was 12.  10 Ok too?  Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I saw this comment before I replied above.  Makes no difference.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I guess I don't understand why you might imagine that the responses to the identical questions would be any different in your case than in the others.  You describe an essentially zero risk scenario with respect to HIV and negative HIV test results are always valid after 12 weeks.  You don't have it and do not need any further tests.

The answers to the specific questions are:  1) Confirmed.  2) No.  3) I agree with your own doctors.

Let's not have any "yes but" or "what if" follow-up questions.  There is no information you could provide that would change my opinion or advice.

HHH, MD

[BamBamBig]

I should also mention as a follow up that my current girlfriend is definitely clean, so I'm not worried about her having given me anything.  I'm not sure if you'll see this or not, but I should have mentioned this in my post.  Thanks again.