[Question #12865] Worried about risk and test results

4 months ago

I had an encounter with a masseuse at a chinese parlor 98 days ago (unprotected oral, protected vaginal). Tested negative for HIV RNA at 28 days, Full STD panel including HSV1/2 at 45 days, and HIV, Syph, Hep, at 88 days.

My PCP at 88 days, was rather conservative with the window periods for STD testing and mentioned antibodies can take up to 6 months to develop for HIV and HSV, and advised against HSV blood testing. Recently, I have been experiencing penis redness under my foreskin, foreskin sensitivity/discomfort some slight pain but nothing that I would say is painful, groin nerve pain/tingling and a red spot under my frenulum. No visible blisters or sores. My questions are:
1) Are these tests conclusive?

2) I had a CBC panel done which showed lower WBC count (5.5 vs 7.6), lower Ly% (30 vs 30.8), and lower Ly# (1.6 vs 2.3) compared to last year. Could an STD live HIV or HSV cause these changes?

3) Should I get more HSV testing despite negative result at 7 weeks? I have read on here that it is only 70% accurate at that time.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

4 months ago

I'm sorry to see you back. I reviewed your two recent discussions with Dr. Hook; it is apparent that you did not carefully read, did not fully understand, or perhaps just did not believe his advice. Or this just reflects the irrational anxieties you have over a sexual decision you regret.

Your PCP may be a great doctor, but I am very skeptical his knowledge and understanding of HIV/STD tests and their interpretation matches ours. He is simply wrong about the times required for conclusive test results, or you misunderstood. And as Dr. Hook informed you twice, your symptoms are NOT suggestive of HIV or any STD. The only possible connection they have with the sexual exposure you have described is psychological -- i.e. anxiety and worry magnifying trivial symptoms or even normal body sensations that otherwise would not be bothersome or you might not even notice. They are not due to any infection of any kind from those events.

1) Yes your test results are conclusive.

2) CBC results tell nothing at all about HIV or other STDs. And the varying results in two or more CBCs are meaningless: nobody's WBC count, lymphocyte count, or any other CBC components are the same every time. The differing results you had mean nothing for your health, either from HIV, HSV, or any other infection.

3) You should not have any further HSV blood tests. You should not have had the ones already done.

Let me know if anything still isn't clear. But do not ask anything that has already been addressed in your two previous threads or in my comments now.

HHH, MD

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