I had unprotected sex with a girl while she had her period on 09 March 2011. 7 days later I developed a weird detached and Flu-ish feeling. I did an HIV Antibody test on 24th March (15 days post exposure). Negative. The doctor prescribed 7 days of TAMIFLU (anti viral) + ZINNAT (antibiotic). I took this combination of medication for 7 days. No change in symptoms.
Did an Antigen + Antibody test on 16th April. Negative again.
I am planning on doing another Ag + Ab test on 09 June and 09 Sept.
Main Concerns:
1. I read from wikipedia that taking Anti retroviral drugs during the early stages of HIV can prolong the production of Anitbodies up to 12 months or more. If there is scientific evidence to support this, can you please attach a published paper etc? This is really important information for me since I did take 7 days of Tamiflu 15 days post exposure and if the above is true, then my previous tests would be in vain.
2. HOWEVER, even if taking anti retroviral drugs prolongs the production of antibodies, surely it wouldn't affect the detection of the P24 antigens? Hence would I be correct in saying my Ag+Ab test on 16 April holds some water?
3. Are the Ag+Ab tests all the same around the world? Or do they differ in accuracy/specificity?
Please Advise. Thanks.
P.S I still have symptoms of detachment (feels like nothing is real. sometimes feel disoriented), fatigue and occasional achey muscles.
I've copied your question beneath and added my comments in red:-
1. I read from wikipedia that taking Anti retroviral drugs during the early stages of HIV can prolong the production of Anitbodies up to 12 months or more. If there is scientific evidence to support this, can you please attach a published paper etc? This is really important information for me since I did take 7 days of Tamiflu 15 days post exposure and if the above is true, then my previous tests would be in vain.Influenza is not a retrovirus and tamiflu is not an antiretroviral drug. You've researched your situation but fundamentally misunderstood the various steps and you've reached the wrong conclusions - taking a 4th generation HIV test at 15 days is unhelpful except in the rare event it may be a very early positive. A negative HIV DUO at 15 days simply means that you were HIV negative PRIOR to your event.
2. HOWEVER, even if taking anti retroviral drugs prolongs the production of antibodies, surely it wouldn't affect the detection of the P24 antigens? Hence would I be correct in saying my Ag+Ab test on 16 April holds some water?well, as referred to above - you are wrong in most of your assumptions already. The only part you are right about is that your HIV DUO test on the 16th April is accurate and you are HIV negative
3. Are the Ag+Ab tests all the same around the world? Or do they differ in accuracy/specificity?they are not all the same - there are some differences between test and manufacturer but they should be broadly the same - to discover the difference you will need to look at the product information for each test.
Thanks for the prompt reply. So given the information you gave me, another negative HIV 1 2 Ag + Ab test at 3 months post date of possible exposure and I can confidently say I am 100% HIV negative?
I would just repeat the HIV DUO test now - a further negative at this point will close this off for you, confirming you are HIV negative, best regards, Sean
Tamiflu + HIV
Linear Mode
