[Question #13041] HIV testing

2 months ago

Hello doctor,

I am a male and had an unprotected sexual encounter only vaginal with a female whose STI status is unknown to me

At 4,6 and 12 weeks my 4th gen CMIA test is negative. But i am having lot of anxiety.

Last week I was having pain in under arms and 5 days later I did a 3rd gen ELISA test from another lab and it is negative too.

Can i be very sure that I am clear and not infected.

Awaiting your earliest reply doctor

Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

2 months ago

Welcome to the forum. I'm happy to help.

You describe a very low risk exposure. Even if this partner had untreated HIV, the estimated risk for a single episode of unprotected vaginal sex is estimated at under one chance in 2,000. In addition, your negative HIV test results are 100% proof you were not infected. Finally, it is not possible to have HIV symptoms and test negative; your symptoms are due to something other than HIV; and "pain under the arms" isn't an HIV symptom anyway.

"Can i be very sure that I am clear and not infected?" Yes you can.

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

HHH, MD

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2 months ago

Thank you doctor for your reply.

My mistake was that i have been reading so much content online where it is mentioned that many people don't develop antibodies for many months so tests some times does not detect antibodies. Reading all this data is making me have sleepness nights and I am in this constant fear.

I just needed reassurance sir

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

2 months ago

It is simply untrue that "many people don't develop antibodies for many months". That was a theoretical problem for the earliest HIV antibody tests but those tests have not been used for 30 years. And anyway, the AgAb (4th generation) tests detect both antibody and p24 antigen, a protein part of the virus itself. If somehow antibody were not produced, p24 would be present in especially large amounts and the test would be positive.

In online searching about HIV (or any health problem) it's best to stick with professional or professionally moderated sites and avoid sites by and for people with that problem or at risk -- like Reddit for example. Anyone can write anything and so much information is inaccurate either intentionally or through misunderstanding. What you see on such sites is generally not "data" at all but unreliable personal experiences or nonscientific opinions.

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2 months ago

Thank you doctor

I will try to put all this behind me and move on.

This fear and anxiety just makes me keep thinking negative all the time

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

2 months ago

Your main sexual health problem might be guilt or shame over a sexual decision you regret, which of course isn't the same as HIV/STI risk. If your fear, anxiety and "sleepless nights" continue despite this advice -- and maybe advice from your own doctor -- you might consider professional counseling. In any case, you definitely should not be at all worried about HIV. It is impossible you are infected.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. Thanks for the thanks; I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

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