[Question #10045] Testing

26 months ago

Dera Sir,

I apologize for any errors in my English.

Last September 11th(2022), I had two sexual encounters with a commercial sex worker (CSW), both protcted vaginal,deep kissing long time and unprotected oral, and I strongly believe that she is HIV positive because she did not care about protection.At the time of encounter I was drunk but I remember I used condom

After 50 days of exposure, I took an antibody test in India using the COMB AID kit from a government institution, and it was negative.

After 90 days of the exposure, I underwent medical screening in the UAE, and it was also okay, but I do not know which tests they performed, although I believe it was an advanced test such as the Ag/Ab test used for medical screening in the UAE.

After 140 days of exposure, I experienced flu-like symptoms, sore throat, and cough and lasted for 4 days. After 6 months, I had symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and it is still ongoing, and I have low vitamin D levels and am taking supplements. I consulted a doctor for peripheral neuropathy who performed NCS and skin conductivity studies and indicated that I do not have neuropathy.

In the last 5 months, I have lost 6kg in weight and am always thinking about HIV, which is causing anxiety.

I have latent TB

I believe that I contracted from this exposure

Dear doctor, what is your suggestion? Do I need to take the test again? All my CBC counts are normal.

Thank you.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services. Your English is clear; your questions are easily understood.

It is 100% certain you do not have HIV. It never takes more than 45 days from exposure to have a positive HIV antigen-antibody (AgAb, combo, 4th generation) blood test. In addition, it is not possible to have symptoms from HIV and have negative test results. (See my blog-like reply just yesterday in thread no. 10043.)

I'll add that you're wrong to assume a partner has HIV just because she didn't use condoms with you. Even among the riskiest female sex workers who never use condoms, under 10% (usually under 1%) have HIV. But even if she was infected, there was no risk.

Latent TB does not elevate the risk of HIV if exposed.

So you can stop worrying and do not need any more HIV tests. You don't have it.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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26 months ago

Dear Doctor

My symptoms were after my tests

still I am suffering neuropathy symptoms and weight loss the test which I done in UAE was a visa screening process I don't know any thing about the test type

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

Although I'm not familiar with the "COMB AID[S]" test, I believe it's an AgAb (test). But it really doesn't matter. All existing HIV tests always are positive well before 90 days after exposure. And as I said above, the negative result also proves your neuropathy and weight loss are not due to HIV. You already have been over tested. Keep working with your doctor if your symptoms continue or you otherwise remain concerned.---

26 months ago

Dear Sir,

I need some more clarification

1.The COMBAID test which I done from India is antibody only test

How much reliable that test after 50 days

2.Have any chance the flu like symptoms after 140 days is ARS

3.Is neuropathy common in hiv patients after six month

4. If my test from UAE is antibody only test .can I believe I am 100% free from hiv

Thank you for your help

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

You continue to ask the same questions in different words. What did you not understand about "It is 100% certain you do not have HIV" and the other things I said above. Please carefully re-read every word!

1. This test was conclusive, especially with your later testing beyond 50 days.

2. ARS cannot start later than 2 weeks after exposure. As I also said above, your symptoms were NOT typical of ARS!

3. No. Neuropathy is primarily a manifestation of advanced AIDS, years after catching HIV, and NOT of ARS.

4. See above.

That completes the two follow-up exchanges included with each question and therefore ends this thread. Please do not return to the forum with any more questions about this exposure and your HIV worries. There is no information you can possibly provide that would change our conclusions. You do not have HIV: Believe it!

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