[Question #11411] HIV 1/ 2 conclusive test

Avatar photo
14 months ago
 I am living in Dubai &during the last 2 years I had 2 exposure with 2 sex workers.I will start with the second exposure it was protected vaginal sex with Philippine girl.After it I did two tests one is 3rd gen and one is 4th Ag/Ab both after 94 day then I did the residents visa renewal test at 128 day but do know 3rd or 4th generation and all was negative, also the girl did the renewal visa test 6 months after our exposure and it was negative, my question please  
1-Is  my 94&128 day& girl negative tests make me sure that I am 10000% free from HIV 1 and  HIV 2.
Now for the first exposure it was with African sex worker.it is also protected vaginal sex but I don't remember if condom slip or no
The last three tests I done after this exposure (they are same tests done after my second exposure) was 9 and 10.5 month after the exposure.my questions please
If we focus now only in this first exposure with the African girl
1-Is 9 and 10 months negative test is enough time to make me sure that I am 10000 % free from HIV 1 and especially HIV 2 as it is African and I already did AG/AB test so I am sure I don't have HIV1 only too much worry about HIV 2
2-Is it real That Hiv 2 can turn to positive after 1 year and more? ,this is really scared me
3-I read I believe from Doc..HHH that there is strains from HIV 2 in Africa may be not detectable by 3rd and 4th gen tests .Is this true? This means may be my tests didn't detect it.
4-Since the first exposure which is now 2 years ago I have weird symptoms like some red spot come in the beginning and disappear,burning body come and go, dry throat for more than year now and after two years from this exposure I get ulcear in my mouth .Can you please confirm that these symptoms has no relation with HIV 2 which I am scared of especially with my test result
Thank you Professor.

Avatar photo
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

Although you provide a lot of details in your question, most of them make no difference. The simple fact is that your negative HIV blood tests are absolutely conclusive proof you do not have HIV. The modern antibody tests ("third generation") are always reliable and conclusive 8 weeks or more after the last possible exposure, and the antigen-antibody combination tests (AgAb, "combo", "fourth generation) after 6 weeks. They also detect all HIV2 infection, as well as HIV1. These test results overrule all other considerations:  no matter how high the risk at the time of exposure, and no matter what symptoms have occurred, the test results are accurate and reliable. I will also add the sexual events you describe were very low risk. Few sex workers in Dubai have HIV (I have corresponded about this with the head of the main STD/HIV clinic there); even when a woman has HIV, a single episode of unprotected vaginal sex rarely transmits the virus; and with a condom the risk is very close to zero.

Those comments pretty well cover your specific questions, but to assure no misunderstanding:

1) You didn't need to test at 9 and 10 months, or even at 3 months (94 days). Your negative test results indeed are conclusive for both types of HIV.
2) No, it definitely is not true that it takes over a year for HIV2 to produce positive blood tests. Don't believe everything you learn from "Doctor Google"!
3) Wrong. You misunderstood something I wrote. I never said it takes that long for HIV2 tests to be positive.
4) HIV doesn't cause symptoms like these; and even if it did, it is NOT POSSIBLE to have HIV symptoms and to have negative blood tests. 

So all is well in regard to HIV. You were at little if any risk and your test results prove you have neither HIV1 nor HIV2. See a doctor about your symptoms if they continue and/or you remain concerned about them. But do not have any more HIV tests.

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

HHH, MD
---
Avatar photo
14 months ago
Thank you professor for your reply.There is something I couldn't express well may be because of My English and I want to highlight it again
I already tested 9 months and 10 months after the exposure with African girl with 3rd and 4th generation I was afraid from hiv2 , and both negative, 
To summarize my doubts I have please two questions for confirmation appreciate your answer please
1- HIV 2 window period is maximum 3 months and never reach one year , correct ?
2- Is there any new strains especially from HIV 2 in Africa which cannot be detected by 3rd or 4th generation test?
3- In general if I didn't take PEP or PREP or has any weak immunity system , maximum window period for HIV 1 and Especially HIV 2 is 3 months , correct ?
Thank you Professor 




Avatar photo
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
I understood all the details of your question, but I'm happy to address these questions as well.

1) The HIV2 window actually is about 8 weeks, but many sources continue to advise 3 months.
2) I've not heard of any newer HIV2 (or HIV1) strains that are not detected by the standard tests.
3) As I said above, the window for HIV1 for the AgAb tests is 6 weeks, and HIV2 8 weeks. If "weak immunity" had any effect at all, most likely it would shorten the window, not lengthen it.
---
Avatar photo
14 months ago
Thank you Doc, since this is my last inquiry I have my last questions please 
1-Is there any STD can cause dry mouth ; dry throat , burning body skin which continue now for more than 1 Year and  half ,I tested negative more than 3 months after the last exposure for syphilis,Hep b and c, Chlamydia,VDRLand HIV1,2
2-No need to retest again for HIV1,2 after my negative results 10 months from my first exposure and 4 months from my second exposure?
3- I thought that if someone has week immunity system due to chemotherapy for example so the body will take more time to produce antibodies as the immunity system is week so the window period will increase but in your previous reply you said in case if week immunity the window period will be shorten not lengthen,can you please explain this point just I want to understand.
Thank you Professor, it was my pleasure speaking with you today
Avatar photo
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
1) No. There is no STD that causes such symptoms. They have nothing to do with the sexual exposure you are concerned about -- except it is possible they are caused by anxiety over that event.
2) Repeat question using different words. Read my comments above.
3) In theory, certain kinds of immune system weakness might cause delayed antibody production. That would make the antigen component of the AgAb test more strongly positive and likely positive sooner. However, that kind of immune system illness makes people deathly ill, starting in early childhood. Anyone who is basically healthy, including those with immune deficiencies due to chemotherapy, HIV, or other illnesses, never has a problem producing antibody.

My final advice is to be careful searching the Internet about health conditions that concern you. That's the reason for my comment above to ignore "Doctor Google". Anybody can write anything they want online!

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. Best wishes and stay safe.
---