What Does Negative HIV Test Results Within The Window Period Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 15 Apr 2015

Question: dear dr,i had gone for a regular blood test in april 2012 due to stomach infection.After one week of the blood test i started getting wierd symtoms,sweats and fever.I felt that i have contracted HIV from the blood draw i took.I also had tingling and numbness.I tested for HIV from two different labs,the last test being in march 2015,they were non reactive.I also did a CBC and ESR.ESR was 2 and WBC was 6700,haemoglobin 16,basically all normal except lymphocytes were 41,slighly elevated.Since a month along with tingling i am experiencing burning in legs and erectile dysfunction,i also feel wierd in the rectum and feel pressure to pass stools,and an irritating feeling.I am also feeling a bit light headed.My questions are.
1)Do i need further hiv testing?
2)Y am i experiencing all these symtoms if all reports are normal?
3)Is it possible to contract any infection from a blood drawin todays times?
plz help

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think you need further tests for HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I don't think you need further tests for HIV.
HIV test must had been positive if you have had it.You have been tested repeatedly for HIV after window period and all are negative,so there is no chance of HIV infection.

Your symptoms may be due to some other reasons.
Slightly elevated lymphocyte is generally due to viral infection like flu etc.
Tingling and leg burning may be due to vitamin deficiency like B12,anxiety,stress etc.You can empirically take B complex capsule once daily.

Your symptoms may be related to psychological conditions,so I suggest you to consult psychiatrist for proper evaluation.
You may need psychological counselling.

Now days,blood is drawn from disposable needles and these are used once,so there is no chance of HIV.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (4 minutes later)

dear dr,thank u for your prompt response,even b12 and d3 is normal.Is this anything to do with nerve damage since i had read abt neuropathy that can cause tingling,burning,constipation and erectile disfunction.I NEVER had all these prblms earlier.
Also in todays ntimes is delayed seroconversion in hiv possible?
All my tests done were fourth generation tests.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is better to exclude psychological factors in your age.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

It is good that B12 and D3 are normal.
Your symptoms may be due to neuropathy but your age doesn't favour this.Besides this,you don't have any systemic illness.

It is better to exclude psychological factors in your age.

There is no chance of delayed seroconversion in such long period.So,don't worry about HIV.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (4 minutes later)

thank you,but in neuropathy are knee and ankle jerk reflexes always absent?also wat could be the cause of all this.I hv never experienced any such problems earlier alwyas beeen healthy.
PLz help

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It need proper evaluation by a neurologist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Reflex response depend upon degree of involvement.It need proper evaluation by a neurologist.
As we discussed,Psychological factors should be excluded first.Detail neurological work up can be done after excluding this.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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