Unprotected Sex with stripper

[sofreakoutnow]

Dr Hook/HHH,

I'm a heterosexual man who had unprotected sex with a stripper back almost 11 weeks ago. I have since gotten in contact and she refused to test but 3 weeks ago told me she texted me and said ahe tested negative using oraquick home test (who knows if she's being honest). I had a rapid antibody test at 7.5 weeks and lab test at 9.5 weeks both of which were negative (both were just standard blood test not antigen).

I have had so many symptoms resembling ARS (sore throat, coated tongue, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue and malaise) in the first few weeks starting in week 2 and lasted about 3-4 weeks after that. Extreme Fatigue has stayed constant the whole time but starting about week 6 I had a lot of neurological things such as blurred vision, headaches and lately having tingling in my hands and feet which is somewhat intermittent but extremely strange. Generally speaking I know my body pretty well and I just feel strange and have not felt well since this incident . One notable thing I feel particularly strange when consuming alcohol and eating- abnormally drunk and dizzy and have been since week 4 of exposure.

I have read extensively on this forum, and I know you have both said that 6-8 weeks is conclusive despite CDC and others recommending 3 months. With that in mind my questions are:

1) Is it possible to develop antibodies later than 9.5 weeks (when I got the latest results I did feel a bit better although not perfect still very fatigued, and strange after eating and drinking)
2) Would the production of antibodies make you feel better right away?
3) How much does stress/anxiety play a role in all of these symptoms?
4) If it is HIV causing all these symptoms (ARS, general neuropathy, blurred vision/dizziness, fatigue) would it be possible to still test negative for antibodies at this point?
5) Do you think I need to go in for further testing or can I be comfortable with my results?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You asked a question about a DUO tests and antibody tests and I replied.  As I have told you earlier, in the experience of both of us, as well as many professional collegues, when sypmptoms and test results do not match, the tests provide the correct answer.  Further the evidence fromsceintific studies are that while they take longer to become positive the DUO tests, antibody tests for HIV are conclusive at any time more than 8 weeks after an exposure.  This is not a "changed" assessment but a longstanding one.  You are having trouble accepting that you do not have HIV despite negative tests.  I canno thelp this.  Fact are facts irrespective of your concerns.  

This is my final reply.  Further repetitive, argumentative questions will be deleted without comment.  I  wish you the best.  EWH

[sofreakoutnow]

Apologies in advance I'm not trying to pester you here but just so we are clear I never took any type of DUO or antigen test. Given that fact, how can you be so certain that 9 week antibody is conclusive in my case? What's changed that has made you so certain that everyone would have have developed detectable antibodies by 8 weeks? If I am still experiencing symptoms wouldn't that perhaps indicate I may not have fully serioconverted yet? Sorry , hopefully my questions make sense.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, the DUO tests at 4 weeks are as, or perhaps more sensitive than rapid tests at 7-8 weeks.  Believe the results.  If you had negative tests at 9 weeks, there is no reason for further concern or for further testing.  EWH

[sofreakoutnow]

Thanks for everything. Final post I promise!  I just want to confirm that I never checked for the virus itself. Are the duo tests that you take at 4 weeks as accurate as the rapid finger prick tests you take at 7-8 weeks? The reason I ask is that I saw a post on "living with HIV" where I believe Dr. HHH discussed with a guy that had originally tested negative with antibody OraQuick and then did a combo that showed he actually did have the virus. The guy was saying he took a few antibody tests and thought antigen test might have been off but Dr. HHH saif he DID have it. The reason this is of concern to me is if we assume this person I slept with was HIV positive would you still believe my test was conclusive at 7 and 9 weeks? If she really was positive wouldn't you recommend further testing?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are having trouble letting go of your concerns about HIV.  Niether your GF's symptoms, nor your own are worrisome about HIV and your test results prove this is not a concern.You need to look for other, non-STD, non-HIV reasons.

I will have nothing more to say as I would just be repeating myself again.  I wish you well. EWH

[sofreakoutnow]

My GF has been having profuse night sweats as well. She never sweats and can't recall a time in her life that she has. She simply looks unwell. Don't you find it the least bit suspicious that we both feel fatigued and generally unwell?

The anxiety and guilt should have dissipated by now. Since 9 week test I have believed I didn't have HIV. But my symptoms have persisted. I have now gone to several doctors such as a neurologist for the tingling in hands and feet and she found nothing specific. I'm scheduled to  see a GI on Tuesday. I'm wondering if stress could have caused gastritis-have you heard of that? I have also been tested for liver, kidney deices, as well as lime, diabetes and every other STD-all negative. I know you said that 9 week test is conclusive but does it make sense to test in week 12?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, GI problems, including constipation are not typical of recently acquired HIV, nor have I heard of blurred vision or isolated fatigue as being symptoms of HIV.

Congratulations on telling your GF of your encounter with another partner- that was a good thing to do.  Your GF's symptoms, particularly an elevated creatinine, are not symptoms of HIV and if your test is negative, there is no way you could have given her HIV.

I suggest that you look elsewhere for the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing and agree with your earlier suggestion that anxiety and guilt over your actions may be contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing. EWH

[sofreakoutnow]

Thanks DR. I really appreciate the quick response to my questions. I understand that it is rare for a test to turn from negative to positive but I just cant understand what else could be making me feel so strange.

Are gastrula intestinal issues such as being constipated common during acute infection? I have never had issues like this and I have been having this now for over a month.

I also don't know what to make of the blurred vision. I feel so strange after even just one single drink. Its gotten better than it was a month ago but I still have it. Have you ever seen or heard of patients with HIV having blurred vision and feeling fatigued after eating?

Finally I should mention that I finally told my girlfriend after 4 weeks of guilt (I never suspected I might have HIV until this time). Unfortunately we had already had sex quite a bit during this time period. she also tested negative at 7.5 week from first time we had sex but its hard to say when she may have contracted it. She took a chemistry lab test as well at that time and her creatinine levels are high which apparently is a sign of HIV. Her doctor siad there is no point for her to test before 13 weeks and that her test at 7.5 weeks was useless so we have since stopped having sex completely.  She has been having night sweats and difficulty breathing and has also had abnormal fatigue. What do you make of this?

thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Thanks for looking at other posts on our site.  As a result, you will know that when test results and symptoms disagree, the test results are always correct.  Over the years, as well as our practice experience we have interacted on the Forum with literally hundreds of clients who had a variety of symptoms and negative HIV tests.  None of these clients have ever turned out to have HIV.  The symptoms you are describing are not a manifestation of HIV missed by the tests you have had.

As for your specific questions:
1) Is it possible to develop antibodies later than 9.5 weeks (when I got the latest results I did feel a bit better although not perfect still very fatigued, and strange after eating and drinking).
No, all persons with HIV develop detectable antibodies within 8 weeks of exposure.  Your symptoms are due to some other, non-HIV process.

2) Would the production of antibodies make you feel better right away?
No, in fact when persons develop the ARS, the symptoms are the result of interactions with newly formed antibodies with the virus.

3) How much does stress/anxiety play a role in all of these symptoms?
There is no doubt that anxiety/stress and guilt can amplify symptoms that might be missed if a person was not concerned about the possibility of infection.

4) If it is HIV causing all these symptoms (ARS, general neuropathy, blurred vision/dizziness, fatigue) would it be possible to still test negative for antibodies at this point?
No, see my comments above.

5) Do you think I need to go in for further testing or can I be comfortable with my results?
I see no reason for further testing related to the exposure you mention above.

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH