Will try to be brief about this had protected penetrative sex with a sex worker in Brazil 25 days ago unprotected oral and reason to believe condom may have had unoticed hole (teeth were used) before penetration, on day 13 suddenly started with short sharp pains up back of neck to base of skull and aches and pains all over mainly located in limbs which would radiate up around the front and back of the ears. Easier bowel movements then on day 18 diarrhoea, followed by constipation up to day 23 then back to diarrhoea, pain in the head lasting few seconds each and every day 10-15 times a day. Abdominal pain started about day 16 peaking in intensity day 18 and has subsided partially but still there. So far as far as can tell no fever, sore throat or rash however chest skin turns really red when slightly scratched, heals within 24 hours and I am getting a lot more spots than usual they are definitely spots as when burst they produce the usual puss. Also produced 8 pin sized blood marks over chest. Little appetite even though feel hungry and when I do eat feel sick. Out of shear panic simply went and got a DUO test on day 20 and it came back negative, realise this is prior to the 28 days but question I would simply like answered is that if this is HIV then the symptoms I have described above would the antigen test have come back positive at the 20 day mark having read the following previous form,
1) If HIV was contracted and caused an ARS then a detectable viral load level would be present in the blood of the individual? (I.e. it would be detectable to cause the illness)?
2) P24 Antigen production occurs shortly after initial infection and would rise exponentially with that of the viral load?
3) Therefore if viral load was at a level to cause ARS symptoms, then the p24 Antigen would be also seen around the same time? (in this case within a week or so of symptoms….say around Day 14-18)?
4) Therefore at day 26, A HIV duo would be very likely to identify HIV infection through P24 Antigen, but perhaps not through HIV1 or HIV2 Antibodies?
5) Given the symptoms and timeframe of tests, clinically would you see the need to re-test or just to remove any residual worries?
I had previously had unprotected sex with a regular partner in the UK a week prior to this incident, but from my understanding a HIV DUO test at this time would be conclusive.Yes. I have also had Gonorrhoea/Chlamydia/ Syphilis and Hep B tests performed at Day 8 along with a HIV Antibody test..All negative.
Would I need to redo these tests?
Symptoms are not clearing up and I am beginning to feel weak and tired neck is becoming stiff . Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea NHS GUM tests were negative, awaiting hepatitis and syphillis results. Other standard NHS tests for platlets and meningitis taken on day 18 negative. I have NEVER (sorry) been ill like this in my life.
Will try to be brief about this had protected penetrative sex with a sex worker in Brazil 25 days ago unprotected oral and reason to believe condom may have had unoticed hole (teeth were used) before penetration, on day 13 suddenly started with short sharp pains up back of neck to base of skull and aches and pains all over mainly located in limbs which would radiate up around the front and back of the ears. Easier bowel movements then on day 18 diarrhoea, followed by constipation up to day 23 then back to diarrhoea, pain in the head lasting few seconds each and every day 10-15 times a day. Abdominal pain started about day 16 peaking in intensity day 18 and has subsided partially but still there. So far as far as can tell no fever, sore throat or rash however chest skin turns really red when slightly scratched, heals within 24 hours and I am getting a lot more spots than usual they are definitely spots as when burst they produce the usual puss. Also produced 8 pin sized blood marks over chest. Little appetite even though feel hungry and when I do eat feel sick. Out of shear panic simply went and got a DUO test on day 20 and it came back negative, realise this is prior to the 28 days but question I would simply like answered is that if this is HIV then the symptoms I have described above would the antigen test have come back positive at the 20 day mark having read the following previous form,
1) If HIV was contracted and caused an ARS then a detectable viral load level would be present in the blood of the individual? (I.e. it would be detectable to cause the illness)?
Exactly. Therefore the negative results would exclude the symptoms as ARS symptoms, by definition.
2) P24 Antigen production occurs shortly after initial infection and would rise exponentially with that of the viral load?
Exactly. p24 antigens are detectable already after 14 days, reaching highest levels at around 28 days.
3) Therefore if viral load was at a level to cause ARS symptoms, then the p24 Antigen would be also seen around the same time? (in this case within a week or so of symptoms….say around Day 14-18)?
Yes, correct.
4) Therefore at day 26, A HIV duo would be very likely to identify HIV infection through P24 Antigen, but perhaps not through HIV1 or HIV2 Antibodies?
Correct.- but and an important but - the HIV DUO test is indicated for use at 28 days. It is most unlikely that the HIV DUO test would fail at 26 days but it is intended for use at 28 days
5) Given the symptoms and timeframe of tests, clinically would you see the need to re-test or just to remove any residual worries?
YES you need to repeat your HIV DUO at 28 days
I had previously had unprotected sex with a regular partner in the UK a week prior to this incident, but from my understanding a HIV DUO test at this time would be conclusive.Yes. I have also had Gonorrhoea/Chlamydia/ Syphilis and Hep B tests performed at Day 8 along with a HIV Antibody test..All negative.
Would I need to redo these tests?
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are conclusive then. However for Hep B and Syphilis, one would need to wait at least 4 weeks from the possible exposure.
Symptoms are not clearing up and I am beginning to feel weak and tired neck is becoming stiff . Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea NHS GUM tests were negative, awaiting hepatitis and syphillis results. Other standard NHS tests for platlets and meningitis taken on day 18 negative. I have NEVER (sorry) been ill like this in my life. The HIV testing guidelines say quite clearly that if there are continuing suspicious symptoms then a further HIV DUO should be performed 1 to 2 weeks later - please do that
If you had a negative HIV DUO test at 28 days after protected sex then this is likely to be the correct answer. However I have said that if you still expeience symptoms which are strongly suggestive of HIV beyond that time then I would suggest that you retest once.I have said in my original answer that you need to do a 28 day test at 28 days. Testing earlier will not give you a conclusive answer.
Tested early but still unsure
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