[Question #888] Hep C, HIV worry
100 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment but to really evaluate what sounds like it could be hepatitis, it would be best to see your doctor. He/she may need to see you several times to give you the information you need. Hepatitis is a term for inflammation of the liver and is detected by abnormal liver function tests. Hepatitis may be caused by many, many things including viruses, toxins (like alcohol, prescription drugs or any number of chemicals) and even obesity. Hepatitis is acquired in lots of ways other than sex including by eating contaminated food.Your negative HIV test provides definitive evidence that you do not have HIV and your negative tests for hepatitis B and C are strong but not quite definitive evidence that your hepatitis is not due to these viruses. As o said above, I would suggest that you work with your doctor to evaluate to he cause of your illness further. As for your specific questions:
100 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago
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Yes, you would have had antibodies to HIV-2 by 9 weeks. suggesting that you are having the ARS at 8-9 weeks simply is not something that we have seen clinically and it makes know scientific sense when one considers the replication rate of the virus in infected persons.
Most people with "classic ARS" do not have HIV but have some other viral illness, including influenza. This is true not only in my own experience but, more importantly, it carefully conducted scientific studies.
Anxiety often leads to persons noting "symptoms" that are normally present but go undetected and are noticed because of heightened, anxiety-related awareness. EWH
100 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago
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In my opinion, you are trying entirely too hard to attribute your current symptoms to the exposure you described which occurred over two months ago. it is time for you to move forward and put your anxiety and guilt aside. As for your questions:
This is my third and therefore final response to your questions. In closing I URGE you to realize that you did not get HIV from your virtually no ask exposure over two months ago. If you cannot accept this, rather than searching the internet, ordering more unneeded tests or worrying, I would suggest that you speak with a mental health professional or counselor who can help you address your unjustified concerns. I say this out of concern for you, nothing more. EWH