[Question #13484] HIV Testing

3 hours ago

Hello, I kissed a hetero sexual male last summer August 2024 and kinda went into a spiral. I have had no other sexual contact since October 2023.

I started to test regularly out of fear that I could have gotten HIV. One of the Oraquicks I took about 3-4 months after was a bit odd, and I had a little bit (1/3) of a grey shadow line on the T. I freaked out and went to get finger prink 3rd gen tested, and it was negative. Since then I have continued to take Oraquick, about 15 in total, and they have all been negative. I also took a 4th gen blood draw on May 9th 2025. And another 3rd gen finger print test in August 2025 all negative. Can I safely say that one odd Oraquick was a false positive or invalid test? If I actually had HIV, wouldn’t my blood tests have picked it up? So I am safe and I did everything possible to be safe and responsible? Like the next step after a false positive is the 4th gen blood draw. So I am ok?

Sorry for the anxiety fueled questions. I just need to put this to rest.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

2 hours ago

Welcome back. However, you asked essentially the identical questions (repeatedly) in your three previous threads 13 and 16 months ago (questions 11335, 11389 and 11833). The answers haven't changed; you might go back and look at them again. That one oral fluids test may have had a weakly false positive result doesn't change anything. In fact, this is to be expected when persons at no risk tests themselves repeatedly, i.e. one of the reasons over testing is always a mistake. You also describe a zero risk event in August last year. Yes your blood tests would have detected HIV if you had it. And yes, you are OK. It is clear you do not have HIV.

But I have to comment on the psychological aspects of your questions. I am sure that this reply is not going to "put this to rest". You clearly have an anxiety disorder in relation to HIV and its risks, and hearing the scientific facts and advice once more are not going to stop the problem. If this is affecting your life as much as it seem, you should consider professional counseling; there is no other way to get beyond it. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

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

HHH, MD

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2 hours ago

Thanks Doctor HHH, I’m working through it. I know I’m logically fine. I will continue with therapy and doing exposure therapy. I appreciate your expertise.

2 hours ago

And if you don’t mind, please close the question down so I cannot ask anymore questions!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

54 minutes ago

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.---