[Question #6399] Strange Symptoms Despite Negative Test
 |
68 months ago
|
Dear Doctors,
apologies for returning to the forum yet again. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see a doctor before the holidays, so I was hoping to get answers from you, hopefully finding that you are not as alarmed as I am.
I had a negative Ag/Ab test at seven weeks following a potential exposure. However, since then I have had several confusing symptoms. After a cold I also got diarrhea and now have stomach issues. It has been three months since the potential exposure. Also, my fingernail issues have not subsided.
My questions:
1) Since it's too late for the ARS, could my diarrhea hint at a chronic HIV infection or would it be too early?
2) I read that proximal subungual onychomycosis is common in HIV infected individuals. Would that be a sign of late HIV infection or could my fingernails already show such an obvious problem?
3) The skin around my knuckles is very dry - is that a concern?
4) Do you always consider Ag/Ab tests conclusive 6+ weeks following a risk, no matter how high the risk or how odd the symptoms?
5) The test result says that my blood sample arrived at the lab at 4.45 pm and was sent back at 6.15 pm - is that enough time to perform such a test?
6) Some doctors claim that there is a window period between detection of p24 and antibodies - is that a misconception?
7) Would you say my risk should be 1 : 10,000 (risky exposure) multiplied with 1 : 1,000 (chance of a test missing an infection)? That would be 1 in 10,000,000 and would be reassuring if it weren't for the strange symptoms.
8) In another thread you said "there is no such thing as not developing antigenes and or antibodies by +6 weeks" - does that seem correct even in the face of my fingernail/skin and stomach issues?
9) Going forward, what do you recommend?
Thank you so much in advance for your reply!
apologies for returning to the forum yet again. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see a doctor before the holidays, so I was hoping to get answers from you, hopefully finding that you are not as alarmed as I am.
I had a negative Ag/Ab test at seven weeks following a potential exposure. However, since then I have had several confusing symptoms. After a cold I also got diarrhea and now have stomach issues. It has been three months since the potential exposure. Also, my fingernail issues have not subsided.
My questions:
1) Since it's too late for the ARS, could my diarrhea hint at a chronic HIV infection or would it be too early?
2) I read that proximal subungual onychomycosis is common in HIV infected individuals. Would that be a sign of late HIV infection or could my fingernails already show such an obvious problem?
3) The skin around my knuckles is very dry - is that a concern?
4) Do you always consider Ag/Ab tests conclusive 6+ weeks following a risk, no matter how high the risk or how odd the symptoms?
5) The test result says that my blood sample arrived at the lab at 4.45 pm and was sent back at 6.15 pm - is that enough time to perform such a test?
6) Some doctors claim that there is a window period between detection of p24 and antibodies - is that a misconception?
7) Would you say my risk should be 1 : 10,000 (risky exposure) multiplied with 1 : 1,000 (chance of a test missing an infection)? That would be 1 in 10,000,000 and would be reassuring if it weren't for the strange symptoms.
8) In another thread you said "there is no such thing as not developing antigenes and or antibodies by +6 weeks" - does that seem correct even in the face of my fingernail/skin and stomach issues?
9) Going forward, what do you recommend?
Thank you so much in advance for your reply!
 |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
68 months ago
|
Sigh. I'm sorry you found it necessary to return. We already spent two threads in which I assured you your test results are conclusive. And you still describe no symptoms that suggest HIV.
---
1) There is no such thing as "chronic HIV" with negative tests. Once someone has HIV, their blood tests remain positive for life.
2,3) These symptoms and diarrhea are far more common in conditions other than HIV.
4-6, 8) Yes, always conclusive beyond 6 weeks. Fast turnround time does not imply a wrong result. The theoretical secondary window is rare if it occurs at all, and it happens for just a couple of days between 2 and 4 weeks after infection, no later than that. I stand by my previous statement about developing antigen and antibody.
7) The test result beyond 6 weeks always overrules everything else. No matter how high the risk and no matter how typical the symptoms, the test result is what matters. Anyway, you had a virtually zero risk exposure and symptoms that don't suggest HIV.
9) See a doctor about your symptoms. If you remain obsessed with HIV despite the reasoned, science based reassurance you have had, I suggest professional counseling. Such thinking is not normal and suggests an underlying mental health issue. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.
There will be no further discussion. Also note that repeated anxiety driven questions are not permitted. Experience shows that continuing to reply to quesitons like yours serves mostly to prolong anxiety, not relieve it: there's always a "yes but" or "could I be the exception" sort of question and we will not play that game. Trust me on this: there is nothing you will think of that would change the opinions and advice you have already had. Any additional questions about this exposure, your HIV test results, or your symptoms will be deleted with no reply at all and without refund of the posting fee. Thank you for your understanding.
HHH, MD
------