[Question #12227] Did I transmit HIV to my gf?
9 months ago
|
Hello
I am a male who had a sexual encounter with a girl early October (protected vaginal intercourse and unprotected fellatio), then when I got home a couple days later, had protected sex with my gf.
Fast forward about 2 weeks, I have:
Muscle ache - thighs, then also armpits and lower back
Fast forward about 2 weeks, I have:
Muscle ache - thighs, then also armpits and lower back
Joint aches, I think just in knees
Sore throat
Frequent urination for a few days
Random muscle twitches
Low fever (37.5 C)
Pressure in lower abdomen
Mild pain/pressure on the tip of penis
Night sweats
Chills
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea for a day
-Itching randomly all over body
Really bad itching in the back of scalp
Stiff neck
Waking up at 3-4 am (could be from anxiety and stress, not sure)
A few small cherry angioma/petechiae looking red dots on the body
I had done a few Full Panel STD tests everything is negative, had done multiple 4th gen tests all negative, the latest 4th gen was 29 days post exposure - negative, also did HIV1/HIV2 - Qualitative RNA test at 26 days, negative.
A few days after me, my gf also had flu-like symptoms, pain in thighs, nausea, also a few small cherry angioma/petechiae looking red dots on the body, and now she has a rash, which is like non-itchy papules that dry up in a few days then get mildly itchy afterwards, these are appearing mainly in her arms and legs.
I had done a few Full Panel STD tests everything is negative, had done multiple 4th gen tests all negative, the latest 4th gen was 29 days post exposure - negative, also did HIV1/HIV2 - Qualitative RNA test at 26 days, negative.
A few days after me, my gf also had flu-like symptoms, pain in thighs, nausea, also a few small cherry angioma/petechiae looking red dots on the body, and now she has a rash, which is like non-itchy papules that dry up in a few days then get mildly itchy afterwards, these are appearing mainly in her arms and legs.
1. Are my tests all false negative because maybe it was too early?
2. The girl I has sex with was from Russia and I think she had been in eastern Europe, could it be that she had HIV-2 and that's why my HIV1/HIV2 - Qualitative RNA didn't detect the viral load?
2. The girl I has sex with was from Russia and I think she had been in eastern Europe, could it be that she had HIV-2 and that's why my HIV1/HIV2 - Qualitative RNA didn't detect the viral load?
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
|
Welcome back to the Forum although I am not sure why you have returned. We frown upon repetitive questions, particularly when clients change their sign on information to get around prohibitions for repetive, anxiety driven questions. Repeating your questions will not change the answers that Dr. Handsfield has already provided, including "It is 100% certain you do not have HIV and neither does this other partner." Why are you back??
---
You have already proven that you do not have HIV. You need to move on. EWH
9 months ago
|
Thank you Dr Hook! I did create a new account only because initially I wasn't sure how anonymous these posts were and also because of my feeling guilt, I had not disclosed some parts of the story related to my gf situation and had completely forgotten about some details. So, I decided to set the record straight in this new post.
Why are you back?? -- I am back because of that rash on my gf, and her symptoms, it cannot be a coincidence, can it?
Why are you back?? -- I am back because of that rash on my gf, and her symptoms, it cannot be a coincidence, can it?
I guess what I am trying to understand is, is there any other STDs, I need to look at if it is NOT HIV (my latest 4th gen test was after 29 days, and RNA 26 days), could the rash be syphilis?
I have read a lot of your replies in other post where you suggest that 6 weeks is conclusive for HIV, so should I still be worried?
I know how I sound right now, but given all these symptoms (in me and my gf) you should excuse my thick-headedness
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
|
Your explanation of your reason for trying to sneak back on the Forum does not fly. Do not do this again.
You do not have HIV - your results, including the PCR are conclusive. Give up on this. If your GF's rash was due to syphilis or other STIs, your tests would have been positive.
You need t address your guilt and move on. EWH
---
9 months ago
|
While I appreciate that 2 doctors like yourself and Dr. Handsfield think it's not hiv, but I am going to use this last thread of questions to ask about hiv-2.
1. Is it true that hiv-2 can have low viral loads that might go undetected by the hiv-1/hiv-2 Qualitative RNA tests?
1. Is it true that hiv-2 can have low viral loads that might go undetected by the hiv-1/hiv-2 Qualitative RNA tests?
2. If the viral load is low enough that it is not detectible, would it still be transmissible?
3. Back to my specific situation, I had multiple 4th gen tests, but the last one was 29 days after exposure, given that I had all these symptoms for over 10 days before my last 4th gen test, would the test detect the p24 antigen or the abs at this time?
4. And last one, are my symptoms, ARS specific?
Thank you for everything you do.
I am planning to get another 4th gen test in 2 months (3 months post exposure), hoping to get another non-reactive result and just put this nightmare behind me. So, if (when) it is non-reactive will definitely purchase another question here and post an update, at least it could be useful for other people who might find themselves in my shoes.
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
|
Final responses:
1. Is it true that hiv-2 can have low viral loads that might go undetected by the hiv-1/hiv-2 Qualitative RNA tests?
No. These tests are the "gold standard" for detection of HIV-1 or -2. All tests have "limits of detection". If you had HIV of any sort, your tests would be positive.
2. If the viral load is low enough that it is not detectible, would it still be transmissible?
No. Studies of HIV show that persons with viral loads that are low (less than 1000, far above the limits of detection for these tests) do not transmit HIV.
3. Back to my specific situation, I had multiple 4th gen tests, but the last one was 29 days after exposure, given that I had all these symptoms for over 10 days before my last 4th gen test, would the test detect the p24 antigen or the abs at this time?
Yes, undoubtedly
4. And last one, are my symptoms, ARS specific?
No, and some are not at all related to ARS including urinary frequency, lower abdominal or penile "pressure", random itching and occasional muscle twitches.
End of thread. EWH
---