[Question #11178] Just a question based on tests

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16 months ago
Hey doc, I had a very low risk exposure (mutual masturbation)around a month or so back didn’t think much of it. 

Went to the dermatologist recently and he said that I could have eosinophilic folliculitis baded on symptoms and based on sexual history since I live in a conservative country. Got a 4th gen p24 antigen test done just to rule hiv out according to his recommendation and it came back negative. I have not seen him yet but…..

Just wondering whether this test would have shown positive if my symptoms were linked to hiv remembering what you had told me before. so that I can be a bit rest assured. 

Since I’m a an anxious person I don’t want to drop 500$ on a RNA Test right now if I can depend on this test. 

Thank you 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
16 months ago
Welcome to our Forum.  thanks for your questions.  The exposure you describe was no risk for HIV.  The WHO, CDC, and experts all agree that there is no for HIV from mutual musturbation, even when partners get each others' genital secretions on one another.  If you had asked me if you needed testing, i would have said no..

I would be hesitant to diagnose eosinophilic folliculitis without testing.  Even if you have it however, there are many potential causes.  I am confident that your 4th generation test will be negative, proving that you do not have HIV.  If your folliculitis were related to HIV, the test would be certainly positive.

When your test returns as negative, I urge you to put any concerns you might have about HIV aside on move forward without concern.  EWH
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16 months ago
Hello doc,

I got my test results that are negative(done 1 week post PEP) and I’ll update in the next 3 weeks when the test becomes concussive as that would be 4 weeks post PEP for me. 

Thank you for your reassurance
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
16 months ago
That's a fine plan.  Again, I remain confident that your future test for HIV will also be negative.  EWH---