Hello Drs. I had a really high risk encounter 3 months ago(vaginal & anal sex without protection).  3 weeks after that I had a rash on my torso with little red points around, loss of appetite, nauseas, mouth ulcers, all together for 1 week, then my period is been really unusual I been having a 1 day period since then, right now Im having this flu symptoms for over a month and sore throats and feeling tired and sleepy all the time and the red little points comes and goes between my legs and arms. I never thinked on hiv, but this guy called me a month ago saying he tested positive por hiv thru an annual check out!!. My world has stopped. There is not other reasons for my symptoms. I did 3 tests at 3 months mark. PCR RNA- undet or under 20copiesRNA QUAL- negativeMultiSpot hiv ab test- neg* I don't believe in my results due to my symptoms and I had talked to ppl who has tested poz after 3 months!!, I also I read that viral load drops even  to udect levels after acute infection, which I talked to a Dr. About it and he said its possible.. it's this true? I think I had done the RNA tests too late.* why everybody still saying hiv is conclusive at 3 months?? When there is ppl who had tested poz after 3 months and not specificaly due to inmune problems?*what are your recommendations Dr? There is no way I can not have this the risk was really high!!* also its true that when viral load goes down its cuz antobodies show up? Some ppl say vl and ab is a different thing, can you explain that to me whats the reallity? Its possible that my vl its undect. At 3 months or what the other doctor tell me its wrong? Also what about the RNA QUAL , if viral load is undetec could that test don't detect the virus as well? There is other test you will recommend? And pls don't tell me it could be anxiety symtoms cuz I been having sympyoms since before I knew this guy had hiv * plz respond based on your best medical advise and NOT on what I would like to hear. Thank you D

Welcome to our Forum.  I will try to help by providing some facts.  As I read your posts, it appears to me that you are over reacting and that it is most unlikely that you have HIV.  Here are the facts:

1.  It appears the your partner had HIV.  Despite that, your risk of infection is less than 1% as far less than 1% of acts of intercourse with infected persons lead to infection.

2.  Your symptoms are not symptoms typical of having reently acuired HIV.  While a rash can be present in persons who acquire HIV. the rash is typically transient, being present only a few days.  Your other symptoms such as nausea, sore throat and feeling tired are non-specific.

3.  Finally and most importantly, your tests are negative and should be believe.  Once a person has a positive test, irrespective of whether it is a  PCR test or an antibody test, remains positive for life.  The fact that you have had both  negative PCR and antibody tests beyond three months following exposure absolutely and incontrovertibly PROVES that you were not infected.  Further testing is a waste of time and resources- the result will not change.   

My advice- believe your tests, accept you test results and accept that there is no need for further testing.  I am absolutely confident of this advice.  EWH

When test results and symptoms disagree, the test results should be believed.  You sound as though you are convinced that you have an infection but you cannot prove it when not one but two entirely different tests, performed at times when results are definitive PROVE that you do not have the infection you think you may have. HIV tests, performed at the correct time (and you were tested at the correct time, are amongst the most sensitive tests in all of medicine.   You had a high risk exposure but the tests prove that you were fortunate and did not become infected. 

I do not know of the "people out there" who say they were infected and that their tests did not become positive until after three months.  I have taken care of and carried out research on HIV since the beginning of the epidemic and what you are describing about "people who turned positive after three months" is a common and incorrect statement found on the internet.  You need to believe your test results.  EWH

I understand that you feel poorly. You however do not seem to appreciate that you may not have been infected by the exposure you describe and that there could well be other, non-STI, non-HIV causes of your illness.  The reason that the viral load declines after a few weeks of HIV infection is BECAUSE antibodies are present and act to lower the viral load.  Thus, once infected, essentially all persons with HIV will have EITHER a positive HIV PCR or a positive antibody test.  You have had both tests, both were negative therefore you have proved that you do not have HIV.  For you to re-test after 6 months is a waste of your  time and money.  your time would be much better used working with your doctor to find out what the problem really is for you.  Sometimes this required a certain amount of trial and error with the same doctor. 

This is my third and therefore final reply.  I hope my comments are helpful.  There is no evidence that you have HIV.  Your posts suggest that you are quite anxious and this can amplify the signs and symptoms or other problems.  I suspect that is what is happening.  Take care.  EWH