Dear Doctors:  I have some questions for which I would like your guidance.

Exposure was with an unknown perhaps high-risk women of unknown status.  Exposure involved unprotected nude rubbing (I think you call it frottage of the genitals) without penetration, sex (penetrative) for 25 mts with condom (I believe the condom was on at all times but I do not recall totally well if breakage or slippage occurred), unprotected oral sex giving and receipt, fingering, sucking breasts, and lip to lip kissing.

Test 1: 41 days post exposure. All Non-Reactive for HIV (4^th Gen), Syphilis, and Herpes.

Test 2: 70 days post exposure. All Non-Reactive for HIV (4^th Gen), Syphilis, and Herpes.

The tests were performed in a reputed lab in the US.

For the second test (Test 2), on the day after the test day, I had set up a doctor with my Primary Care Physician to see what he heard from the labs. They had not yet received the results the morning of the appointment and so, I called them to call the lab and get the results from the lab.  By the time I got there for my appointment, they had received the results from the lab. However, the results copy said ‘Courtesy copy PARTIAL report’ at the top.  It indicated non-reactive for HIV (4^th Gen) and Syphilis and indicated that the Herpes test was pending. Upon asking them (the office staff) to check with the lab, they told me that the lab indicated that the Herpes machine was not functioning and that they have requested a replacement machine.  I was happy that atleast I was non-reactive for HIV and Syphillis and walked out thankful that I may need to wait a day or two more for Herpes results. As expected, the next day the primary care doctor office staff called me and said the second half of the results were available and that I could come and pick up a copy of the results.  In the FINAL (it was written FINAL at the top) report, all three were Non-Reactive. HIV, Syphilis, and Herpes.  Also, I noticed that the HIV ad Herpes tests in the second test were performed in different labs of the lab company whereas in Test 1 these two were performed at the same lab of the lab company.

My mind is playing games with me and I appreciate your responses to my questions below alongside any additional commentary you may have.  I also appreciate any real reassurance you could provide.

1.       I know in Test 2, the Herpes test was pending and the machine was malfunctioning so they had to get a replacement.  Does this impact my 70 day HIV (4^th Gen for 1 and 2 antibodies and HIV-1 antigen) test results in any way?

2.       In Test 2, in the Partial Courtesy Copy HIV and Syphiilis were indicated non-reactive and they were non-reactive in the Final copy too. Does the Herpes test happen in the same machine as the HIV test?

3.        Is there anything I need to be concerned about with respect to manual errors, human errors with respect to the HIV testing that was performed post Day 70?

4.        I am assuming the lab would not interchange tests results and one test would not impact the other.  Is this correct? Could the malfunctioning herpes machine cause the HIV machine to conclude tests incorrectly and too soon (abruptly) as False Non-Reactive/Negative?

5.       That the Herpes and HIV tests in Test 2 were performed in different labs. Is this a concern?

6.       Does one test (for eg HIV)  have a bearing on the other test (Herpes or Syphilis for instance) being performed or can they be viewed as occurring independently and not in the same assembly line?

7.       Bottom line: Can my HIV (4^th Gen tests, day 70 test) from the lab be taken as completely reliable, accurate, and complete irrespective of other factors (whether it was impacted by other blood works being performed and machines being used, other blood tests, etc)?

I am sorry for anxiety driven questions and hope they make some sense.  I would greatly appreciate your guidance and clarity.  Thank you for your service.

Hello doctor: I got a note that you closed the tread. I did not ask a redundant question or ask from a different account.  I am not sure which other thread you are reffering to.  Thank you.

Welcome (perhaps back) to our forum. The reason your thread was transiently closed is because it is nearly identical in many ways to question number 7566 which was posted recently from an almost identical internet account using a very similar user name. Your current questions are different enough from your original questions that we will go on and answer them.  Please review question 7566 and you will see why we believe that you are the same author.  FYI, Dr. Handsfield and I have worked together for nearly 40 years add while I verbal styles differ from one another the factual content and our assessments are always in agreement. No exceptions. I have reviewed question 7566 and agreed with all the Dr. Handsfield said. The replies I am about to provide will consider that post as the starting point for my replies although these replies are Independent an address your specific questions.---

I thank you Dr. Hook for your answers.

So, I can fully trust the 70-day HIV 4^th Gen non-reactive results that were reported in the partial courtesy copy (given Herpes test was pending) as being complete, accurate, fully conclusive, and distinct and performed independent of the other tests including the pending Herpes test. Do you agree with this and say this is correct?

Repetitive.  See above.  Your results are conclusive. EWH ---

Dr Hook: Thank you for the simple and clear explanations, Dr Hook, which are very reassuring.

Dr Hook:  I apologize for another clarification request.

I’m sorry that you are having trouble understanding my responses. The bottom line here is that your encounter was virtually no risk and my advice is to put your concerns aside, avoid overthinking my replies, and move forward without con and without further testing.  I will provide a final set of brief responses below after which the thread will be closed.  Further questions on the encounter described may not be answered as your questions have become repetitive and anxiety driven.  Should that happen, your posting fee will not be returned..  on to my responses to your latest requests for verification:---