Hi Dr HHH or Dr Hook,

I am a new user to this forum although I have read many answers I’d like your opinion on my case. So I was suspected by a physician of having ARS, and if there was an exposure would’ve been 9 days prior to presenting to the doctor (heterosexual male not sure if anything even occurred but it’s a long story). I had a very swollen lymph node in my groin with nightsweats and fever. I was tested for all stds at this time and everything was negative.  I tested at 9 days, 31 days, 3 months and 1 year after first visit. All HIV 4th gen negatives. Symptoms continued and I tested at 2.5 years RNA PCR and 4 th gen. Which brings me to now it’s 4.5 years since all this occurred, having some small mouth ulcers but very frequently and some other issues and I was tested again which was negative. Is there any possible way this is HIV? I also am HLA b27 positive which I know is associated with elite control, which I know that increases the likelihood but isn’t a guarantee. 

Your laboratory tests suggest that you do not have HIV. Even elite controllers have positive tests and positive PCR tests. Your multiple -4th generation test for HIV as well as your negative. PCR tests are strong evidence that you do not have HIV.

I hope this information and perspective is helpful to you. I’ll be happy to provide further clarification if you have more questions. EWH.

When I presented to the doctor originally with the very swollen lymph node in my groin he told me that my symptoms were very similar to ARS and I should be tested, and he certainly seemed to have a focus on ARS as a culprit. I have no verified exposures is what I meant by the statement (can’t confirm if any previous partners were positive or negative, I’m a heterosexual male and I’ve had only a few partners in my lifetime and I don’t have ongoing risks.) I had zero possible exposures in between test 1 and the final test at 4.5 years after that initial doctors visit, only prior to that initial visit. My new physician told me that even in the case of a confirmed exposure he felt my testing was sufficient. My real concern is that while navigating the current cause of my symptoms (frequent ulcers, and some recurring infections) it would take stress out of my mind to 100% rule out HIV as a factor. Also, the RNA test was a Gen Probe performed in conjunction with a 4th generation test at 2.5 years after any possible exposure. The most recent test was a 4th generation done by my doctor at 4.5 years after this all began.