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Is HIV Test Result Nine Years After Exposure,conclusive?

Posted on Thu, 18 Dec 2014

Question: Dear Doctors, Please help me and guide me. I had an unprotected sex with my girl friend in Nov, 2005. At that time I didn?t thought about HIV and didn?t went for testing. And I even don?t remember now whether I got any primary acute symptoms. Later after two years I developed whole severe skin irritation, seborrheic dermatitis, arthralgia, myalgia and red-pus filled blisters on my trunk and my nails are detached from nail bed, where all these symptoms persist till today. This year I lost 10 pounds weight and had persistent diarrhoea. I am going into a new relation and have family, for the first time I went for antibody testing, In January 2014 my first HIV1/2 (ICMA) western blot was non-reactive, and I took HIV-1 RNA (Qualitative, detection limit 2000 copies) Non-reactive. And then in July, 2014, I took HIV1/2 rapid antibody test, which was non-reactive. And in August, 2014, I took 4th generation HIV screen which was non-reactive. My absolute CD4 count was 690 and CD4% was 29. Please suggest me whether am I free from HIV. Can I proceed for making family? Is any further specific testing is required. I check for autoimmune disorders also, and all were negative. Why these symptoms. Please help me. If any specific testing is required please advise me. Am i under clinical latency or end stage of HIV. Does during these stages antibody tests give negative.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not having HIV.Allay fears.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
The exposure is 9 years old and you have repeatedly tested for HIV1& 2 antibodies and pcr .
All have come negative.So you are free from HIV.so you can allay fears of HIV totally.
There is no latency for such long period.No further testing is required. I think you do not have any symptoms.
You can go ahead with the family without fear of HIV.
The symptoms of seborheic dermatitis do exist in few if still present.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (7 minutes later)

Dear Dr. Bharatesh XXXXXXX Basti,

Thank you for replying my question. Whenever I visit dermatologist the first question would be were your HIV positive. As they say all my skin symptoms look like that. And I got some infection besides gorin in 2007 and he treated with me on Fluconazole. This year I lost 10 pounds in 3 months and had persistent diarrhea. Now I am getting folliculitis, and all these years i have tingling in my nails and my nails are detached from nail bed. Sorry to trouble you much.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Non specific and need not be related to HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
These can be non specific symptoms and not always HIV related.
You just relax relieve your anxiety.It can also loose your weight.
Get involved in activities you like or hobbies.
Do yoga, meditation, exercises.
Eat high protein rich balanced diet .
I do not consider possiblity of HIV with tests negative.Moreover autoimmune diseases have come negative.Allay all fears.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (28 hours later)

Dear Dr. Bharatesh XXXXXXX Basti,
Thank you for reply. I always has body ach, fatigue, joint swelling, knee pain when climbing strairs and breathlessness. Please advise me what i should do. As all my tests showing negative, where i missing something especially in relation to HIV.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Consult physician for evaluation. Not HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
These symptoms may be due to stress or anxiety. Or weakness or else.You can consult a physician for these symptoms if it persists for evaluation.
You can take chewable antacids and ranitidine if any gastritis.You may need investigation for neck pain and joint swelling.
You can also take balanced diet.Do meditation, yoga, exercises, etc.
These are not due to HIV.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (3 days later)

Dear Dr. Bharatesh XXXXXXX Basti,

Thank you very much quick reply. My last question. As you said, I am HIV-negative, but I was going through some articles, where HIV-infected people continuously showed negative antibody test. Why I am asking this is all the symptoms I am having were similar to those members. I am sorry to disturb you.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not related to HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Each case can have different symptoms and manifestation in different settings.
There are no reports of tests coming positive after 9 years or more.
So you relax .Forget the episode.
Get involved in activities to forget the episode.
You can get back for any clarification
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar