Severe HIV Anxiety

[scardycat870]

First of all, let me mention that I am a 22 year old heterosexual female with only 2 sexual partners in my lifetime.
HIV anxiety is ruining my life. I was in a short relationship with a previous boyfriend for a few months. Throughout the relationship we always had protected vaginal intercourse, but he performed oral sex on me several times without protection. There was one occasion where we were both drunk and can't be sure whether we used a condom or not, but I "THINK" I remeber using one. He states that he is negative but I haven't seen any reults on paper. I went for my annual STD blood testing at the clinic 9.5 weeks after the last incident. Everything came out negative, including for HIV. Then I read where only a 3 month test is conclusive. So i got back to my family doctor for an HIV blood test 3.5 months after the last incident. It was negative. When I went to the doctor for a sore throat I found out that I had strep throat, so I ask her whether my last two HIV test reliable that I was HIV negative and she said yes. I am also having tingling in certain parts of my body but  I think it is due to my high level of anxiety or my mild case of epilepy. Is my 3.5 months blood test done with LabCorp enough to put my worries aside and go on with my life? Why does the CDC mention a negative test at 3 months should be followed up by another at 6 months post-exposure. They mention 97% developing the antibodies in the first 3 months. What kinds of people are left in the 3% category? I think my last test with LabCorp was an Elisa test but they did not state which test. This is ruinig my life right now because I can't focus on anything. Please give me some expert advice on my situation!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This question has been answered more times than I can express.  No, there are no medicines which would effect the results of your antibody test.  You do not have HIV--believe it.  

This concludes this thread.  EWH

[scardycat870]

Hey doc. I have another question. Can certain medications affect HIV antibody tests results? At the time of my 3.5 month test I was on vitamin D and an anticonvulsant for my mild case of epilepsy.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I told you I agreed with Teak earlier. No need to say it again.  EWH

[scardycat870]

Hey Doc. I want to mention that I called my doctor's office today and the test I took at 3.5 months was an antibody test. So you do second teak's statement ragarding the CDC and the remaining 3%?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry,.  Long day. I meant to say, "the only peole this is not true for....."  EWH

[scardycat870]

Thanks for your advice! I feel so relieved. One more question. When you say "the people this is true for", are you referring to my statement regarding CDC?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the HIV Prevention Forum.  I reviewed your interaction with Teak on the HIV Prevention Community site and agree with all that he has said.  You can rest assured, the evidence is overwhelming that you did not get HIV from your exposure to your old BF, even in the VERY unlikely circumstance that he did have HIV.  Let's briefly review the reasons that I can say this with confidence:

1.  He says he is negative.  Most heterosexual males who do not use IV drugs do not have HIV and most people tell the truth.
2.  HIV is not effectively spread by oral sex and the risk for heterosexual sex, if you did have an unprotected genital exposure is 1 infection per 1,000 exposures.
3.  You have a negative test at 3 months.  Any test more than 8 weeks following testing is proof that you do not have HIV.  the only people this is true for is people who have taken anti-HIV medications in an effort to prevent infection.

My advice.  Believe your test results.  You do not have HIV and do not need further testing.  EWH