Sorry to be back here again. I just read your last answer and it got me anxious again. It could be that i misunderstood since my mother language isn't English. I'll summarize my situation:

i tested positive for the covid-19 virus with an covid antigen self test on May 29. Had covid symptoms for a few days, some of the covid symptoms lingered a little bit longer. I got tested for hiv with an hiv antibody test on June 13. The hiv test was negative. I took a covid-19 antigen self test which was NEGATIVE, right before my hiv test. Symptoms of my covid-19 infection were almost gone when i got tested for hiv. My bloodwork showed high levels of leukocytes, thrombocytes and neutrophils. Especially the level of leukocytes was much higher (maybe because of the covid-19 infection?).

I asked if i needed to do another hiv antibody test and if i can be completely confident that i don't have hiv. You said that my hiv test results are conclusive. I got worried that maybe i was unclear in my previous questions because i only have had ONE hiv antibody test. so just to be sure and ease my mind: in my situation, can i still be completely confident that i don't have hiv, since i only have had one negative hiv antibody test?

Thank you for your understanding and have a nice weekend

In preparing to reply, I read your recent discussion with Dr. Hook and agree entirely with his evaluation and advice. Given the seriousness of HIV, it is natural for some persons to seek more than one test, so I understand why it might be on your mind. However, the HIV tests are extraordinarily reliable; I have never come across a case in which a test result more than several weeks after exposure remained falsely negative -- I've never even heard such a rumor. You should view your negative HIV test result as 100% conclusive; you don't have HIV! I will add that the HIV blood tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical conditions. If done long enough after the last possible exposure (always within a few weeks), nothing ever overrides the result, regardless of symptoms, other lab test results, or any other factor that might come to mind.

Still, human nature is human nature: if you're going to lie awake at night worried that somehow the test was false, and would better be able to go forward with confidence about it, feel free to have another test. But for sure don't go down the rabbit hole: one more test if you think it will help, but no more after that!

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

Thank you for your advice.

Since i am petrified of needles, i really don't want to test again. I just really want a peace of mind that i don't have to test again for hiv with an hiv antibody test and that i can just be sure of my hiv negative result.