question

[casino007]

Hi,

I had been extremely nervous about an encounter a while back and recently - at 15 months past exposure - I took two HIV tests; one HIV-1/2 Elisa and HIV 1 PCR Viral DNA. Both turned out negative. I missed the 3 months window period for testing because I was too afraid and suffered from extreme (literally) fear.

My questions:

1. My exposure was in Thailand, are there any cases of HIV-2 in that part of the world? Or, rare HIV subtypes I should test for?

2. Can I safely rule out HIV despite some strange symptoms? (i.e. ALWAYS having viral infections/colds, strange moles and markings on my chest area)

Thanks a lot.


 

[Leila]

Hello,
I'm no expert but as far as I know Hiv-2 is really rare.  As for "rare hiv subtypes," I think the only subtype is 2.  I would say you can rule out HIV despite your symptoms, stress does a number on the body, stuff you would never even think it would do.  A viral infection is a viral infection, and a cold is a cold, not HIV.  Relax hunny, I think you're going to be just fine:)

[casino007]

Hi Leila,

Thanks for replying. I thought there are all the different M, O, A subtypes, aren't there? (sorry if i got the alphabets wrong). I wonder if any of the resident experts can contribute as well?

One other question:

Am i right to say that either antibodies OR virus DNA will be present at any given time if positive? By that, I mean, if antibodies are not detected in my blood, that means the DNA test will be detected. And the same vice versa. (Obviously not considering false positives...)

Thanks again

[Leila]

hey casino,
like i said, i am NO expert.  i didn't even know there were subtypes like the ones you mentioned.  i think andy would be better to talk to about technical stuff like that.

but before you get all caught up on subtypes and symptoms, the important thing to realize is that you had 2 negative tests, not just at 3 months, but 15 months past exposure.  i know it's hard not to worry...but i think you need to accept your negative results. 

[HIVworker]

All subtypes of HIV are picked up by current tests, so stop worrying about that. No matter what the type of HIV, you have tested negative for it....past the window period. HIV isn't your problem.

What was the nature of this encounter? Protected, unprotected? Anal, oral, vaginal...etc.

R

[casino007]

Thanks for responding HIVworker. I've also been reading up on HIV myself.
Would you mind answering the following questions?

1. Is a rapid abott hiv1-2 test considered a modern test?
2. Is it right that EITHER viral dna OR antibodies will be detected at any point of an infection? Does my research serve me right? (again, taking into account false positives of viral test)

Thank you

[RapidRod]

1. yes
2. yes and no. Your antigens are found just before the antibodies. There is a space of time when the antigens are low enough not to be detected and the antibodies have not duplicated enough to get a positive reaction. That is the reason for the conformation test at 13 weeks.

[RapidRod]

Leila, please do not post in any other threads other than your own.