Thank you for what you do for all of us. You have truly enabled me to cope over the last few weeks.
I have a few questions regarding testing/seroconversion and results from my blood work. Let me start by saying that I am based in the US, and my exposure was receiving oral sex for less than six seconds (unprotected)...
My test results:
*20 days after exposure PCR DNA test (negative)
*20 days after exposure antibody test confirmed with western blot (negative)
*25 days after exposure CBC (all normal, slightly low esonophils)
*42 days after exposure rapid unigold test (negative)
*42 days after exposure antibody / western blot (negative)
*56 days after exposure / 8 weeks rapid unigold (negative)
I recognize that receptive oral sex is a no risk activity but the conflicting information out there makes me very anxious. additionally I have received negative feedback on the DNA pcr test which also makes it harder for me to accept my test results.
I have had diahrrea / loose stools since 8 days post exposure and that has not really stopped throughout. No fever, moderate sore / tight throat and a rash on my backside for roughly 3 days about 14 days post exposure. Could this be ARS?
Here are my questions:
How comfortable should I be with a negative PCR at 20 days? What percentage of accuracy is this step at this point (20 days?) is this test reliable?
Do low esonophils indicate a compromised immune system?
How reliable is my eight week rapid antiboddy test?
How often does the eight week negative change?
Does re elongated diahrrea and tight throat concern you with regard to HiV?
Thank you so much, I was relieved yesterday by my 8 week negative until I realized my esonophils were low and could indicate a compromised immune system. Instead of researching online I am bringing my questions here as I want / need closure on this low risk event...
I want to resume sex with my regular partner and have abstained for two months to protect her...
You two are god sent for what you do. I have learned my lesson and want to move on...
I'm sorry you've had to wait for this answer - apologies.
You asked:-
Quote:
I have a few questions regarding testing/seroconversion and results from my blood work. Let me start by saying that I am based in the US, and my exposure was receiving oral sex for less than six seconds (unprotected)...
My test results:
*20 days after exposure PCR DNA test (negative)
*20 days after exposure antibody test confirmed with western blot (negative)
*25 days after exposure CBC (all normal, slightly low esonophils)
*42 days after exposure rapid unigold test (negative)
*42 days after exposure antibody / western blot (negative)
*56 days after exposure / 8 weeks rapid unigold (negative)
I recognize that receptive oral sex is a no risk activity but the conflicting information out there makes me very anxious. additionally I have received negative feedback on the DNA pcr test which also makes it harder for me to accept my test results.
I have had diahrrea / loose stools since 8 days post exposure and that has not really stopped throughout. No fever, moderate sore / tight throat and a rash on my backside for roughly 3 days about 14 days post exposure. Could this be ARS?
No. You had a zero risk sexual activity followed by multiple negative tests. You are definitely HIV negative
Here are my questions:
How comfortable should I be with a negative PCR at 20 days? What percentage of accuracy is this step at this point (20 days?) is this test reliable?
Very comfortable. The test is correct and accurate
Do low esonophils indicate a compromised immune system?no
How reliable is my eight week rapid antiboddy test?complete - you had a non event followed by multiple tests - you are HIV negative
How often does the eight week negative change?completely irrelevent question - you didn't have a risk at all - your other tests are negative. Your tests will not change
Does re elongated diahrrea and tight throat concern you with regard to HiV?no
Thank you so much, I was relieved yesterday by my 8 week negative until I realized my esonophils were low and could indicate a compromised immune system. Instead of researching online I am bringing my questions here as I want / need closure on this low risk event...
I want to resume sex with my regular partner and have abstained for two months to protect her...
Thank you very much for the work both you and Dr Jose do for so many of us. I have one follow up question as some recent changes / testing with my physician has left me questioning my negative testing. Recently, in going to see my doctor to sort through persistent diahrrea over the last 4 months, he tested me for celiacs disease which revealed a low iga level (36 - normal is 70-400). My celiacs test ultimately was negative but he has now gone on to order igg, igm and repeat iga testing. These levels I am told are essential to HIV antibody detection / production.
My exposure was six seconds of insertive heterosexual oral sex. My questions are as follows:
1) Can my PCR at day 20 be ruled conclusive? (you have previously said yes, but that was paired with my antibody testing that could now be less conslusive)
1A) I am told the DNA PCR test can test down to 10 copies of the virus anytime you test outside the 14 day window period, is this accurate? If I was to be newly infected, how many copies of the virus would you generally see present at 20 days?
2) Does the conclusiveness of my antibody testing change (I have tested all the way out to 18.5 weeks with rapid and or lab drawn HIV testing)
3) In the event that these other follow up tests come back to reveal low igg or igm levels does this dramatically increase my risk from insertive oral sex since my immune system could be potentially damaged/weak?
4) should I do any more antibody tests out to six months or longer or would it make sense to have another pcr test?
5) throughout this process I had multiple HSV igg tests done that did reveal slightly changing igg antibody values, is this any indication that my body's immune system is functional and able to produce igg antibodies to the point where the HIV antibody tests out to 18 weeks would not be called into question?
6) if this is acute HIV would it already be attacking my iga levels and driving them down?
7) Are these questions totally irrational?
I have lead an otherwise healthy life to this point, am not routinely sick, and outside of the persistent diahrrea have no other ARS symptoms. Also, does my lengthy diarrhea present as the onset of early HIV? I have had CBC's done 3x over the last eight weeks resulting in normal white blood counts.
Because HIV is an immune system attacking virus, I am deeply shaken up by all this and hope you can help me sort through some of my questions. This was a mistake of a lifetime and I have not been able to get these questions answered on the forum or from googling.
I know you have said before that "getting sucked" is no risk, however I assume that you are assuming the person being sucked has a normal functioning immune system. Does your risk assessment change based on my low iga and potentially other low igg levels?
I am truly petrified at this point, despite all the negative testing. I am sorry for all the questions and for following back up on an old thread, but I thought this was the easiest way to give you the historical data needed to answer my questions.
I send this from Raleigh North Carolina where I would kill to have access to a clinic like freedomhealth.
Thank you for all your help and for reading this. Both doctors on this forum have been invaluable to me getting through this ver difficult situation...
Hello,
I believe we have already had a telephone consultation about all this yesterday.
As discussed, your tests are final and fully conclusive combining the negative PCR test and all the antibody tests that you had. These would not have been affected by an IgA defficiency, and the fact that you have produced IgG in the HSV tests demonstrates that you do not have an IgG defficiency, which is the one relevant for all the HIV tests.
Berst wishes,
José
Question re: testing / bloodwork
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