[Question #8282] Need Closure

46 months ago

Hi Doctor,

I have contacted you a few months ago regarding testing windows, accuracy etc...

Just to summarize:

I have had almost 20 negative combo tests ranging from 4 weeks to latest one at 22 weeks (across 3 different labs).

2 oraquick tests at 13 and 14 weeks

Also had a RT-PCR-Quantitative at 20th week which read "Not-Detected 0 iU/ml" and the equipment used was GeneExpert.

After so much testing I have a few concerns which I would greatly appreciate you could help address:

1. I got the Sinopharm covid vaccine before my sexual encounter in April end (short receptive anal protected). Are vaccines known to cause false negatives even at 22 weeks.

2. I have read somewhere that many physicians caution that testing should be carried out to 6 months. My latest is at 5 months and 5 days.. is that good enough.

3. After the 90 days mark and several negative 4th gen tests, i got vaccinated again but this time with the Pfizer vaccine for covid. Is cross vaccination known to cause false negatives?

4. Is one pcr at 20 weeks accurate enough to exclude HIV (along with several negative ab/ag tests)

5. Since i have been tested in a third world country but from private labs, I am slightly concerned that blood samples were not transported properly since almost all tests were carried out in another city. Does leaving serum/plasma at room temp overnight impair the results of these tests?

Just for your reference, i had 3 Covid antibody tests which came back reactive after I got the vaccinations so Im assuming i dont have an impaired immune system etc.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

46 months ago

Welcome back. However, apparently you have set up a new account with a different user name. Please provide the previous username(s) or email address(es) used on the forum, or the question number(s), so I can review your previous question(s), after which I will be happy to respond. In the meantime, the quick answer is that have been seriously overtested and definitely do not have HIV. There are no medications or health conditiosn, including vaccines, that have any effects on the reliability of the tests you had. And "impaired immune system" also has no effect on reliability of the tests you have had.

Thanks-- waiting for your past information.

HHH, MD

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46 months ago

Hi Doctor, sorry for the account change. It is #7948.

Thank you for your reply. I am just in a terrible state of mind wondering about what if’s…

Also could you pls answer point #5 if possible.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

46 months ago

And also 7297; this is your third question about this exposure and your excessive HIV testing. And my last reply included this:

Once you have confirmed the test results, and assuming they indeed are negative, please don't return with more quesitons about it. Repeat questions about the same situation are discouraged; having already had two, no more should be needed. if negative at the appropriate time(s) after exposure, we would only confirm that the negative result is reliable and proves you don't have HIV.

Substantial research has studied the effects of irregular specimen transport in developing countries, where delays and extremes of temperature (e.g. failure of refrigeration during transit) might be common. These studies have shown no effect on test performance or reliability, and certainly sitting overnight at room temperature has no effect.

Being "in a terrible state of mind" in the face of such overwhelming evidence you do not have HIV, along with reasoned, science-based reassurance about it -- perhaps from your own doctor(s), as well as this forum -- indicates a mental health problem that probably will continue no matter how much information you have about your test results. You're going to need professional counseling to get beyond these fears. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

In any case, three questions is the maximum we can accept in circumstances like this, so this must be your last question on these issues. Further ones will be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. Thank you for your understanding.

HHH, MD

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