[Question #9393] Hiv results vs symptoms.

33 months ago

Hello doctors. I am back to inquire about other possibilities. As you recall, I have had multiple. Test over the past 4 1/2 to five years. These have been third fourth fifth generation tests, rapids as well as molecular test. ALL have been negative. What concerns me is that my persistent symptoms over the past 4 1/2 years have not gotten better and continue to decline in general health. Also, it concerns me as my wife is having more health issues including rashes more frequently cold sores more frequently as well as other health ailments.

1) what’s the possibility that all these tests over the past 4 1/2 years of different types that I had had missed some sort of infection?

2) could some odd subtype or Hiv-2 be missed with all of these tests?

3) is there a possibility that I should stress to my wife to be tested again because of her symptoms.? I don’t want to bring it up if I don’t have to but I am concerned for her health

4) she last tested a year ago with a blood draw including the antibodies as well as are in a test, and then recently in July a rapid insti test. Both are negative.

Should these be believed or could they both be falsely negative because of some clad or subtype?

5) what’s the possibility that both of us could be in the more severe/advanced stage of AIDS that BOTH of us are unable to produce antibodies or result falsely on molecular testing, because of some strange circumstance or subtype?

6)how good is testing these days that one can be confident in the results NO MATTER WHAT symptoms one exhibits?

7)what’s the chance/possibility that ALL tests of multiple types over multiple times over multiple years could have missed some sort of infection and I actually have the disease but all these tests are unable to find it?

8) I know the theme sometimes is that people are kind of crazy detest so much but they’re symptoms. Experience are real and not mental. How confident can I be that an hiv infection has not been missed.

9) is there any more testing that one should consider no matter what I’m experiencing or should I totally disregard mine and her symptoms?

33 months ago

Sorry about typos—corrected

4) she last tested a year ago with a blood draw/donation including the antibodies as well as RNA MPX test, and then recently in July a rapid insti test. Both are negative.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

33 months ago

This question directly duplicates all you asked of Dr. Hook, or the answers are obvious from those three discussions. I scanned those threads and the answers have not changed. Dr. Hook also informed you (correctly) that his and my expertise are equivalent and that our advice is always identical apart from minor differences in wording; I would not change anything he wrote.

Please just remember (and believe!) these few things: even the most typical symptoms of HIV usually are caused by many other medical conditions, most of which are far more common than HIV; that the HIV blood tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition; and that HIV test results, when done long enough after the last possible exposure, are infinitely more reliable than symptoms and therefore always overrule symptoms in judging the presence or absence of HIV. You and your wife do not have it. When you find yourself still worried, as I suspect you will, professional counseling is the way to go. Not because your symptoms are psychological -- probably they are not -- but to figure out why you remain so obsessed with the possibility of HIV in spite of the repeated, reasoned, science-based reassurance you have had on this forum and probably from your doctors.

Good luck. HHH, MD

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