[Question #10421] I need clarity so I can move forward
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23 months ago
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Male,vaginal sex for 10 seconds.Not positive about condom. Alarming symptoms were burning anus/dry mouth.I'm aware a negative HIV test overrules symptoms.Did two 10 panel tests:17 days (too early?) 4th Gen HIV from vein tested in lab. All negative. 68 days All Negative.HIV 4th Gen test from Vein, Syphillis RPR. CDC Guidance is 45 days for HIV, 6 weeks for Syphillis.Having a difficult time accepting results. Having Paranoia:Did the lab mess up?Can I trust that my results are fully conclusive?No risk of turning positive for anything later?Can I move on knowing I'm OK?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment.
Your post suggests that a condom was used for the brief encounter you described. If so, and if the condom appeared intact following the encounter, you can be confident that it worked. When condoms fail, there is no question that they failed- they break wide open. If you used a condom and it appeared intact, this was safe sex.
---Youi can also be confident that your symptoms were not due to HIV. First, your symptoms are in no way typical of those due to recently acquired HIV. Second and more importantly, when persons have symptoms due to HIV, they ALWAYS have positive tests and those tests remain positive thereafter. You do not mention the timing of your symptoms but presuming that the testing was done after the onset of your symptoms, this incontrovertibly proves that your symptoms were not due to HIV.
My advice is to believe your test results. They (including the syphilis blood tests) have been taken at a time when they are reliable and conclusive. I suggest you move forward without continuing concern. There is certainly no reason for further testing. EWH
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23 months ago
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Dr, thank you so much for your reply. The character count got me so I will elaborate
- unfortunately, I can’t say with confidence if a condom was used or not, and I have no clue of the STD status of the person.
- symptoms started after my first test at day 17. Dry mouth cleared up after 68 day test, burning anus is still lingering. I have gone to counseling for this event and was told these feelings are due to chronic anxiety I’ve been dealing with. I never had a flu/fever at all which should be a good sign.
-Last and most important question for me (I know this is a repetitive question). There is no need to re-test at day 90? I can confidently move on with my life and put this behind me? I have a partner and have been scared to be intimate with her after this encounter
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Thanks for the additional information. I agree that your symptoms are more characteristic of anxiety than recently acquired HIV.
Just as an FYI, remember that most people do not have STIs, including HIV and even when they do, most unprotected exposures do not result in infection. For HIV, the risk of acquiring HIV following an unprotected exposure to a person with untreated HIV is less than 1 in a 1000.
There is no medical or scientific reason to doubt your results. Nor is there any reason to re-test. EWH
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23 months ago
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Thanks again, Dr. This makes me feel a lot better. I know I have one more question so I will at least ask. I have been focused so much on HIV and Syphillis. I also tested for Herpes, Hepatitis A,B,C and Chlymidia and Gonnorea - all came back negative. I have shown no symptoms that correlate with any of those, however, is my test at 68 days conclusive for all of those as well? Thank you again and this ill be my last question.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Yes, your results are conclusive for all these STIs. It is now time to move forward.
As you also know, this will complete this thread which will be closed shortly. EWH
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