Hello Doctors,
I want to confirm if the following medications would have affected my HIV test result.
For the past month or so I have been having hives/rashes on and off, which seems to have been ruled out as an allergy by my doctor so I was prescribed with the following medications in three consecutive appointments:
1ST SESSION (7 days period)
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Prednisolone (corticosteroid) in 5 mg tablets = 10 mg thrice a day for 5 days, then 5 mg thrice a day for 2 days (180mg total in 7 days)
Ranitidine in 150 mg tablets = three times a day for 7 days
Loratadine in 10 mg tablets = once a day for 7 days
2ND SESSION (14 days period)
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Prednisolone (corticosteroid) in 5 mg tablets = 5 mg thrice a day for three days, 5 mg twice a day for 5 days, 5 mg once a day for 5 days (120mg total in 14 days)
Ranitidine in 150 mg tablets = twice a day for 14 days
Loratadine in 10 mg tablets = once a day for 14 days
3RD SESSION (14 days period)
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Loratadine in 10 mg tablets = once a day for 14 days
As you see I have been on Prednisolone (corticosteroid) for 21 days total. I took an HIV 1/2 third generation antibody test at a clinic just 12 days after I stopped taking the Prednisolone (corticosteroid) medication, my results for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies came back negative. Taking note that at that time I also still was on my Loratadine medication for another two days.
The negative HIV 1/2 third generation antibody test result was taken 30 weeks after possible exposure which was already past the window period of 6 months.
I just now understand that Prednisolone (corticosteroid) or Prednisone is an immunosuppressant drug and from what I have read there is a possibility that it may delay the production of antibodies? I want to confirm if there was ever a possibility in a false-negative test result in my case? If no, can I be absolutely certain that I do not need to ever re-test again?
Thanks.