Testing question...Please help!

[worried80]

Hi,

This is my first post here and I will be glad if you can help me. Nearly a month ago I had an oral sex with a girl I met that night. (I did the oral sex and she did not reciprocate). I had no known open scars in my mouth. But nearly two-three weeks after this incident I became sick for three days: I had fewer, diarrhea (like I had never before), headache and I also threw up a few times.  I was scared and I went to a hospital and got HIV 1 & 2 Antibody + p24 Antigen test on my 27th day. It came negative. How reliable is that result? Should I have another test? I know that chances to get HIV through oral sex is very low but during the oral sex I may swallow her vaginal fluids. Does this increase the risk? Thank you so much for your replies in advance.

[Andy Velez]

1. The vaginal fluilds you may have swallowed would not be from the cervial area, which is where they would likely be IF the woman you were with is HIV+.

2. Your saliva has a number of elements which would neutralize HIV if it was present.

3. Becoming infected through going down on a woman is risky theoretically. In the real world of HIV it just doesn't happen that way. Maybe if she was HIV+, had been menstruating and significant amounts of blood had been pouring into your mouth where you had bad oral care or wounds, it might have been something worth testing over. Were those the circumstances? No, I thought not.

4. You are worrying needlessly. It's no surprise that you tested negative. And that you will you continue to do so if you choose to go that route. It's totally unnecessary of course, but people worry all the time when they don't have to.

5. This time out you weren't at risk for transmission.

Cheers,

[worried80]

Thank you so much for your quick and positive reply! I was mainly worried because I got sick three weeks after the incident and had the similar symptoms of HIV. So you are saying that there is nothing to worry about it and there is no need for a new test? I do not want to being repetitive but can you give me some information about the reliability of the HIV 1 & 2 Antibody + p24 Antigen test on 27th day? Is it totally worthless since it is too early or is this test a good(or very good) indicator that I do not have HIV? Sorry if I am being paranoid and/or annoying but I am worried and cannot help myself. Thank you very much in advance.

[worried80]

Can someone please answer my question about the combi test? I read in several websites that a combi (HIV 1 & 2 Antibody + p24 Antigen) test is %99 reliable after 3 weeks. I know that you always say 13 weeks is conclusive for HIV antibody test but what about the combi test? Is that percentage of reliability true? Can I trust my 27th day combi result? I know that I had little risk of HIV infection (and maybe no risk, I do not know…) but I had these weird symptoms just after three weeks of the incident, which really worries me. Maybe, I am needlessly worried but can you please give me some information on the reliability of the combi test? Thank you so much in advance for your help!

[RapidRod]

Threre are no approved tests to give you a conclusive result less than 3 months.

[Ann]

worried,

As you did NOT have a risk, you do NOT need further testing.

You ARE hiv negative.

Make sure you are using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will continue to avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple! Read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Ann