[Question #4575] HIV/Syphilis follow up question to question #1962
81 months ago
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My last question on here was 19 months ago but I continue in this madness now because I failed to mention something I didn’t think important at the time. I hope Dr. Hook or Dr. HHH can help me move forward.
Aside from all the hiv testing I did I was also tested for syhpilis via rapid test every time I took a rapid HIV test. The first syphilis test on day 16 was week reactive. The counselor took blood from arm and sent it to local health org/lab for testing and it came back negative a few days later along with hiv. I continued to test up to 1 year via stdcheck.com for both syhpillis and hiv and even through in the heps a,b,c. On the one year anniversary of the indiscretion 2/19 I tested hiv negative on 4th gen, negative on RPR, negative on heps. Now I’ve read that syphilis/hiv co infection mask each other and thus prolongs window. I’ve done RNA testing 4th gen HIV testing and RPR/VDRL all negative YET the rapid syphilis test stayed positive. Are my tests conclusive? I tested up until a year! My only continued symptoms are joint pain and I’ve had to take cortisone shots for that. Do I need more testing? Can co infection be missed by 4th gens or RNA testing? Please help.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
81 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. I'm sorry this incident continues to worry you. The short answer to your questions are that both your syphilis and HIV tests are conclusive and have been conclusive for some time. Your reactive Rapid test is a falsely positive result which is not all that uncommon. Your other negative tests however PROVE that the reactive syphilis test is not a true infection but falsely positive.
Do not let the internet mislead you regarding the "masking effect" of co-existent syphilis and HIV. If such an effect exists at all, the effect is very short lived. Your test results are conclusive, No need to continue to spend resources on continued testing. You are in the clear from the incident you described to me so long ago. EWH
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81 months ago
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Thank you DR. Hook. A few follow up questions.
1- would HIV RNA be present regardless of syph co infection?
2- would p24ag be present in the absence of ab if co infected with syph/STI?
3-It was repeatably reactive to syph on every rapid test but when I sent blood into the lab via intravenous blood it was non reactive. Pro zone effect possible?
4- I read RPR/VDRL are positive by 6 weeks then I’ve read those tests aren’t reliable. What’s the truth?
I tested up to a year and got negatives. I had a terrible sickness as mentioned that lasted more than 4 weeks. It’s why I am still on these sites. All I have done aside from this is mutual master nation and oral giving/receiving which I recognize as safe sex? So no other possibilities of catching HIV as I haven’t had insertive anal/vaginal sex at all. Can I move on?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
81 months ago
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I trust you realize that your questions are a bit repetitive and that you can predict my responses based on prior responses. You are worrying entirely too much:
1- would HIV RNA be present regardless of syph co infection?
Yes, of course.
2- would p24ag be present in the absence of ab if co infected with syph/STI?
The p24 is positive before the antibody appears and then either the antibody or antigen is present throughout the infection from then on, going forward.'
3-It was repeatably reactive to syph on every rapid test but when I sent blood into the lab via intravenous blood it was non reactive. Pro zone effect possible?
Theoretically possible but unlikely.
4- I read RPR/VDRL are positive by 6 weeks then I’ve read those tests aren’t reliable. What’s the truth?
Older,literature which is widely available indicates that it can take up to three months after an exposure for the RPR/VDRL to become positive. More recent data however indicate that these tests will certainly be positive within six weeks of acquisition of infection.
EWH
81 months ago
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You’re right. I need to let those reactive rapids go. Multiple RPRs and HIV tests up to a year of exposure should be enough. Would you say it’s ok for me to move on? I mean if it was syphilis and HIV wouldn’t I have had big symptoms like rashes etc. I’ve read that hiv worsens syphilis symptoms. All I have is joint pain and I had tendinitis on my right arm way before this debacle. No rash’s or chanchres I’ve seen. What would cause these reactive tho on poc tests only?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
81 months ago
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Third response. As you know that means this is my final response as part of this thread.
Yes, I absolutely feel it is more than time for you to accept the biological false positive results, put it aside and behind you and move forward without concern. There are a small proportion of people who have these false positive reactions. It does not indicate you as having other health problems, it's just immunological bad luck. Your joint pain and tendonitis are due to some other process.
I trust that now, upon closing this thread you will be able to move forward. I must remind you however that should you return with repetitive questions, they may not be answered and the thread may be closed without refund of your posting fee. Take care EWH
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