[Question #5076] Hiv testing
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77 months ago
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Dear doctors, I have been in so much panic since I had unprotected sex on the 6th of jan with a female and then 12th of January with same female. After sleeping with this individual I slept with my wife also within the same week and also days later. However she came down with a flu on the 23rd of January and was in bed for 4 days unable to move. I panicked and freaked out and got tested on the 11th of February. Waiting for the 4 week mark (28 days) but waited out till 30 days instead after realising what I had done was wrong of me. My wife was fine after but me being me I have still been in a state of panic since the 12th of January and have been going for countless tests, day 37 negative day 44 negative day 53 negative but still I am having armpit pains and arm pains night sweats don’t know whether this is anxiety or are the 4th generation duo test that I had not picking up the infection. The pain is in my armpit but can’t feel any lumps. Radiating to both armpits and triceps. Please could you advise me on the window periods and tell me if I have to wait the 3 month I am on day 55 now and still absolutely panicked. Any advise would be appreciated I’m just so confused as on medhelp they advise 28 days because of the previous threads that have been posted by yourselves. Dr HHH AND DR HOOK. But here I read 6 weeks for 100% conclusive results. Once again thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
77 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Your worries are over -- or should be. The HIV blood tests are among the most accurate tests ever developed, for any medical condition. If done sufficiently long after the last possible exposure, a negative result overrules all other considerations. No matter how high the risk of HIV, and no matter what symptoms (in the exposed person or his other partners), the test results tell the truth. You do not have HIV. Your symptoms have some other cause (probably mostly anxiety related) and wife's almost certainly were just a cold or influenza. Assuming she has not been sexually exposed to someone else with HIV (other than you), there is no chance she has HIV.
So all is well. Don't worry about it.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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77 months ago
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Thank you for your response doctor, just a last few questions to set my brain right and try and get my life back to normal.
1) so a negative test after 4 weeks is conclusive?
2) six weeks conclusive?
3) do I have to wait the 12 weeks that I have been advised by the nhs gum clinic?
4) I had to go private for all these tests that I had. Should I go for the final one? Today is 56 day the 8th week mark.
When can I put a closure on this and try and work hard with my family I’m trying so much but hiv is in my head.
Thank you
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
77 months ago
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The situation on 4th generation HIV testing has changed since our days on the MedHelp forum. A little over a year ago, a new report summarised the characterists and test timing for all available HIV tests, concluding that although 4 weeks had been thought to be conclusive, it actually requires 6 weeks. Avoid web statements on this that were written before 2018.
3) Your GUM cinlic is being unnecessarily conservatinve. It is not necessary to test at 3 months, unless you have taken anti HIV drugs (e.g. if you took pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV.)
4) Your negative result at 53 days was 100% conclusive. Your symptoms are NOT AT ALL TYPICAL FOR A NEW HIV INFECTION, despite what you think you have learned online; and your tests PROVE HIV is not the cause. Believe it, suck it up, and mnove on. Any other testing, at a private clinic or anywhere else, is unnecessary and a waste of money.
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77 months ago
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Thank you o much for your response, lastly if there are any symptoms that occurr now. They will not be related to hiv? I cans safely move on from this without thinking about it.
I think someone needs to speak to the advisors on medhelp as they are sticking to the 28 day test to be conclusive.
1) I can’t carry on trying to dodge sleeping with my wife would it be safe to start sleeping with her without worrying.
2) Have you ever seen a 6 week or past 6 week result ever change.
Thank you so much doctor I will be seeking counselling now to get away from this phobia.
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77 months ago
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Sorry final question I forgot to ask if I slept with my wife after the exposure would that be another window period? My wife has been so good and honest to me don’t know why I she. Put this on myself I just hope all is well so that I can move forward thank you
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
77 months ago
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Since you do not have HIV (the test results prove it), obviously no symptoms you have now or might develop in the future are possibly caused by HIV (assuming you do not have a new exposure and become infected). Similarly, it also means you cannot possibly give your wife HIV. And no, I have never seen or heard of a negative result at 6+ weeks later becoming positive. It probably never happens, except maybe in people taking anti-HIV drugs for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis. Finally, when you last had sex with your wife has no bearing on the window period for testing, which is related only to the exposure you asked about in the first place. (Unless you have reason to believe your wife has been at risk and might have caught HIV from another partner.)
That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so concludes this thread. I hope it has been helpful.
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