[Question #13008] Hiv Symptoms , testing and window period
 |
3 months ago
|
Hie doc, i am a man i had sex with a condom with a woman who is positive but i didnt know the condom didnt break but i might have gotten in contact with the fluids somehow she later told me shes is undetactable. 2 weeks after the encounter i started feeling weak , fever, pain and sweating in the armpits. On 3 weeks mark i did all sti screening including hiv 4th gen test and all where negative. i have a painfull lower backpain and have been having night sweats for the past 1 week non stop, today marks the 5th week post i did a rapid finger prick test and its negative, what are the chances i might have picked up the virus considering i am having these symptoms within the expected times? i am stressed
 |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
3 months ago
|
Welcome back to the forum. Thanks for your continued confidence in our advice.
First, congratulations on your common sense sexual safety, i.e. condom use for new, infected, or possibly infected sex partners.
A common phrase and standard advice about HIV treatment and transmission risk address exactly this situation: U = U. It means "Undetectable equals untransmittable". When someone is taking anti-HIV drugs and the virus cannot be detected in blood, infection cannot be given sexually to another person. When couples in an ongoing sexual relationship are in this situation -- one infected, the other not -- if the infected person is on treatment with an undetectable viral load, condoms are optional -- unprotected vaginal or anal sex is considered entirely safe. So you would not have been at risk for HIV from the exposure described even if you hadn't used a condom. And with a condom that didn't break, you can be extra confident.
As for your symptoms, a new HIV infection could cause some of your symptoms. However, your negative AgAb (4th generation) blood tests proves HIV is not the cause. It is not possible to have HIV symptoms with a negative blood test, and your second negative fingerprick test is conclusive proof you did not acquire HIV. You could consider another lab-based AgAb test if you would like still further reassurance, but at this point you can be certain you do not have HIV. Something else is (or was) the cause of your symptoms; see a doctor if they continue. But no worries about HIV.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
--- |
3 months ago
|
thank you for the info, would you please clarify on the windod periods. i did a 4th gen test at 3 weeks post exposure it was negative and i did an attomo finger prick test at 5 weeks mark, what are the chances this might change?
|
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
3 months ago
|
When it comes to symptoms, "window period" isn't relevant. As I said, no matter how long the time since exposure, a negative test in someone with symptoms proves the symptoms are not due to a new HIV infection. However, the window period -- the time until 100% of newly infected people test positive -- is 6 weeks.
---
The chance your test results will change with additional testing is zero for all practical purposes. One chance in many million, tops.
------