[Question #8746] A few more questions

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40 months ago
I spoke to the gum clinic about his negative test but they advised me that I only have a weeks worth of pep remaining so should just finish the course. I have been feeling really unwell with pain in my arms armpits and groins could this be lymph nodes? And due to hiv or could this be my anxiety. The gum clinic has told me to come back 4 weeks after my pep to test but I’m confused as I have read 4 weeks, 6 weeks and Evan 3 months….

1) the man has said he will test again for me to ease my anxiety after 29 days of the exposure if tests negative the which is on Thursday can I definitely put this behind me. 

2) could I test with a pcr rna or pcr dna test would this help me and bring the window period shorter as in 2 weeks after pep. 

I’m really trying my best to overcome all these emotions and I have 3 days of pep left now. 


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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
40 months ago
Sorry, but I really can't help very much. You have had the advice of the GUM clinic, and I have nothing to add about it. They are just as expert about these issues as we are on this forum. I would follow their advice about what tests to have and when to have them.

1) You already should be putting this behind you. There is no chance you have HIV. But another negative HIV test in your partner will further prove you could not have been exposed.

2) As I said above, I would follow the GUM clinic advice. I see no need for PCR testing, and I'm sure the GUM clinic will agree, especially if your partner is retested with negative results.

HHH, MD
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40 months ago
That’s fine I’m sorry for getting intouch and taking away your time. 

Can I just ask one question before I leave it there. If he tests negative on Thursday which will be 29 days post exposure can I breath a sigh of relief and close the book there? 

Thank you very much I really appreciate your help you are brilliant.
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40 months ago
And sorry I will use this last question up I know. But I need to know this too to help me get my mind straight again…. If he was Hiv positive regardless on being meds would he always show positive on his tests or would the viral load be to low to detect because his on medication? Thank you that’s all..

So my 2 questions….
1) can I breathe a sigh of relief and forget about it all if he tests negative on Thursday which will be 29 days after exposure…

2) if he had Hiv and was on medication would his tests show negative or would they still show positive? Regardless of him being on medication. 


Thank you so so much that’s all I will not buy any more questions… I appreciate it so much 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
40 months ago
Asking the same questions in different words of course doesn't change the answers. The answer to question 1 is obvious from all that has been said both above and in your earlier thread; re-read those replies. And once someone has HIV, there are no medications that make that person's HIV antibody tests negative. The PCR test can become negative, but not the antibody or antigen-antibody (4th generation) blood tests---
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40 months ago
Just a little message to thank you for all your advise am knowledge. He tested negative at the 29 day mark which was on Thursday. I finished my last dose of last night. I want to put all this behind me now and will test at the appropriate time. Should I test at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months or 6 months. I know I shouldn’t need to test but just to close the book and finally move on from this I asked the gum clinic nurse and she said 2 weeks after finishing pep but I know that isn’t right. Thank you and take care you guys are amazing on this site.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
40 months ago
The GUM clinic advice is for unusually early testing. Probably a negative AgAb test result at 2 weeks is conclusive, but the data on this are not robust. Therefore most experts recommend a final test at least 6 weeks after the last PEP dose, and that's what we generally advise on this forum. This doesn't mean your GUM clinic is wrong, however, and we also advise users to follow the advice of the clinic or doctor who prescribed PEP. You might have another conversation with the clinic about why they recommend only 2 weeks. Perhaps there are strong data recently in their clinic, or in UK, showing that 2 weeks is sufficient.

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. But please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. This will have to be your last about this exposure, HIV testing, PEP, etc. Thanks for your understanding. Best wishes and stay safe.
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