[Question #13387] HIV concerns

2 days ago

Hello, I had a m2m mutual masturbation experience where I had legs resting on the other person. No exchange of fluids. I used a towel of his to clean myself afterwards and have chaffage (small but maybe raw) on my penis and did not pay attention to the cleanliness of the towel. Then my ocd went to worst case that there was blood on the towel.

I got an HIV RNA test at 19 days which was negative.

I understand stand this is low risk but would appreciate your confirmation if I am good? Where I’m concerned currently is I saw Dr. Hook reply to someone concerned about false negatives and he said “ they were extremely rare,” which leaves room that they do happen. I am wondering in what case do false negatives take place with HIV RNA tests specifically since that’s what I took, but also 4th gen and antibody test?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

2 days ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your confidence in our service. I'll be glad to confirm what you already know- you are not at risk for HIV from the exposure you describe and have subsequently proven that you were not infected with your negative HIV RNA PCR test.

Facts:

1. You do not know that your partner had HIV, most people do not.

2. HIV and other STIs are not spread by mutual masturbation, even when partners get each others secretions on each other in the process.

3. HIV and other STIs are not spread by sharing a towel which has been used by an infected person.

4. HIV RNA PCR tests are conclusive any time more than 11 days following an exposure.

There is no need for further testing. Worrying about a falsely negative HIV RNA PCR test is a waste of time. It's time to move forward without concern. There should be no need for further questions. EWH

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2 days ago

Thanks for your response and sorry. I’ve just read so much on the internet at this point, I have this idea that false negatives can and do happen. I was hoping you could tell me the reasoning behind a false negative so I can it hear it from a credible source vs. the reasons I’ve read from articles and strangers on the internet. I think this would help me put this to rest. Like is it just from testing before the window period or due to specific medical outliers like being on pep?

And just to confirm- at this point , would you say I am 100% conclusive and can go back to dating without concern of infecting someone?

Another test wouldn’t make the situation more conclusive?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

2 days ago

This is a repetitive question. The answers are not going to change. Your exposures were not associated with risk for acquistion of HIV and the rate of falsely negative tests for HIV is less than 1 in 10,000 among at risk persons, which the exposure you describe was not. Considering the facts that I have already given your chance of being struck by a meteorite from space is higher than your risk of having HIV. You need to move on.

Please don't worry. If you repeat the test, the result will be the same, proving what I have already told you. EWH

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1 days ago

I understand. It’s hard for me not to worry the way my mind works. There’s so many “what if’s” in my head with the original sexual encounter and the testing information. I am addressing in therapy.

It’s just confusing to hear Dr. Hansfield say there are no false negatives with new hiv testing and then hear you say there are, regardless of how small the odds are. My mind tells me if I understood how there could be two different answers to the same question, it would help me. Like the understanding would calm me.

I don’t mean to be a nuisance, just trying to explain why I keep saying the same thing.

Anyways, thanks for your help. Hoping to let this go.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 days ago

As you know, this will be my final response. There should be no reason for further questions. You have been misled by the misinformation which is so common on the internet.

There are no perfect tests. While current tests for HIV are among the most reliable tests in all of medicine, there are very rare false positive results and even more rarely, falsely negative tests. This is a proven fact based on hundreds of studies performed on millions of persons. You are splitting hairs in trying to distinguish between Dr. Handsfield statements and mine. For all practical purposes, there is no possibility that your result was falsely negative.

This thread is now complete and will be closed. EWH

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