[Question #11440] HIV status inquiry

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14 months ago
Hello, doctor. 
I had a sexual encounter on April 15th. There were only some oral and blow job exchange, no penetrative sex. But he ejaculated on my belly and his semen touched a very tiny cut I had from the previous night. The cut was right next to my belly button and it was around 1 mm or smaller. He told me he is HIV negative but since he is a stranger, I can't be sure.
Five days after the hookup, I got a sore throat. And two days after this, the sore throat was gone but I got a terrible infection on my pre-auricular fistula on my left ear and with this came a fever lasting for about 3 days. After getting proper treatment for my ear and having some anti-inflammatory drugs, my fevers went away within 1 day. During this time, there were no other symptoms. 
Few days after this, I noticed some small bumps on my chest, itchy for a few minutes, deep pink color. Just individual bump, no rash. Then a week after my infection got better, I got another fever which lasted for 2 days. And three weeks after that, I got another one, but this time it lasted for about two hours during dinner time for two days. 
Since three days ago, I have also noticed some painful on touch bumps on my neck. and there are about 2-3 new bumps on my neck or arms in these few days. Some are painful on touch, some are itchy. All the feelings lasted for about 30 minutes to a few hours.
I got some Abbott Hiv Early Detect 4th gen tests and tested about twice a week from 2 weeks after the hookup to 45 days. The tests are self-tested, finger pricking methods. All tests are negative.
But I am still worried about the status because of all the symptoms. So I would appreciate it a lot if you could provide me with some expert opinion. Thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

This was a zero risk exposure. Although you can find online comments (from non-professional sources) about HIV risk from exposure of cuts or other skin lesions to infected blood or body fluids, in fact there has never been a known case of HIV that was acquire in that way. Second, the symptoms you report do not fit with new HIV infection.

But most important, you HIV test results prove you are not infected. These tests always are positive within 45 days of a new infection, and usually by about 3 weeks. You did not need so many tests to be sure you don't have HIV! And even the earliest tests showed your symptoms were not from a new HIV infection. It is not possible to have HIV symptoms with negative test results.

For all those reasons, you can be completely certain you do not have HIV. No more testing is needed. If your symptoms continue or you remain concerned about them, see a doctor -- but no worries about HIV.

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

HHH, MD
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14 months ago
Thank you so much for your reply!
Just a little update. I went to the hospital and had an hiv test 3rd gen this morning. My first vein blood test, previous tests were all done by myself with finger pricking blood. And just now they informed me that my results are abnormal and had me do another test just now. I’m currently waiting for the result. And the doctors told me the result will come out tomorrow so finger crossed.
I am genuinely shocked by the result since truth be told, this is literally my first sexual encounter and I couldn’t think of any other potential exposure I might come across.
So my question is what are the chances for a false positive?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
This repeat test will also be negative. It is almost impossible you have HIV. The chance of a false positive result also is nearly zero. Do your best to stop worrying! And stop testing!---