[Question #7218] Multiple Tests but still curious
5 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
5 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to answer. Before I get to your specifics, let me assure you that the events you describe did not put you at risk for HIV. If you had asked me if you needed testing, I would have told you that here was no need for testing. Over the 40 year course of this epidemic millions of persons have had contact with genital secretions and blood using hand that had cuts, scrapes and abrasions present yet no such exposure in the course of masturbation have led to infection. You are not going to be the 1rst.
The Quest labs are highly regulated, College of American Pathologists certified, and highly respected. You can have confidence in the test results they provide. Your tests at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 6 months were all taken at times when tests are conclusive and each PROVES that you were not infected. Your 10 week and 6 month tests were not necessary.
Similarly, your partner's tests prove as well that she was not infected. Thus you can also be sure that you were not exposed and therefore were not at risk for infection.
Currently available HIV tests are among the most reliable tests in all of medicine. You should believe the results. The published sensitivity estimates are minimum, conservative estimates.
HIV virus starts to reproduce just days after infection. As a result in some persons antigen can be detected within a week or two of initial infection. Similarly antibody infection also begins. By 6 weeks all persons who have not taken anti-HIV medication will be positive on the antigen, antibody or both tests.
Bottom line, the risk you report was no risk, you tests prove that you were not exposed and were not infected. Further testing is a waste of time and money. Time to move forward without concern. EWH
5 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
5 months ago
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5 months ago
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