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Author Topic: RNA test 6 weeks post bite  (Read 7201 times)

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Offline onetime

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RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« on: February 02, 2007, 09:59:40 pm »
Lord help me!

Am I over stressing???

I had an hiv + partner. on 1/2/07 we were in bed just holding
each other when I bit his nipple just playing around and
drew blood into my mouth, I swallowed without thinking,
several minutes later rinsed with water.
He is pos x 12 years and tends to be well controlled with meds.
We have no other risks, general good health.
I went to the ER the following day out of fear and was prescribed a 28 day expanded 3 drug nPEP.  The ER doc seemed to think I was
at a "significant" risk.

I followed up with my GP a couple weeks ago and she did not
seem concerned at all stating transmission would be "unusual"
she ordered a blood test next week but did not tell me to
reschedule an appointment with her. I assume that she is
confident that I will not have the virus.

That said, how could there be any risk at all of getting the virus via oral sex when you can even swallow HIV + blood and not become infected. I think some of the angst out here is because the rules seem to mutate as much as the darn virus does.

Anyway, I'm still freaked out and I really don't know what to do. The blood test is sitting in clinic for me to just come in. Do I go now? or should I wait for 6 weeks? The blood test is the one that looks for the virus not the antibody test. Next week would be 5 weeks post exposure and one week after finishing PEP.

Offline ACinKC

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2007, 11:16:19 pm »
I would say you are not at risk.  I havent heard of one case where this has happened and it infected the person.  Listen to your GP.  I would not test over this incident.  Hiv is VERY fragile and difficult to transmit outside the body.  Not to mention the saliva in the mouth naturally breaks down HIV.  You are good to go.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline RapidRod

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2007, 05:13:57 am »
You were not at risk and PEP wasn't warranted. The only thing you needed to worry about was getting smacked in the face for bitting so hard.

Offline onetime

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2007, 08:08:30 am »

Roger that Rapid and thanks ACinKC

I started the worry game after the ER doc ran out of the room
and called the infection specialist.  He look at me like I was
already dead.

I've read cases of healthcare workers who serocoverted after
a mucous membrane exposure, the CDC  puts the odds at
1/1000.  I became more disconcerted after reading conflicting
data on transmission. 

I'm thinking of going in this week for my test
just to stop my head from playing games. I'm amazed
at how the mind can conjour things up.
 

   


Offline Andy Velez

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2007, 08:25:41 am »
Well, unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance running around in medical settings.

Doing PEP was absolutely not warranted in relation to this incident. Among other things the saliva in your mouth has an HIV-inhibiting factor which would have protected you. You also mention your partner is on meds and his lower viral load would make him even less likely to be infectious.

I've never known of a documented case of transmission in this manner and you aren't going to make history by becoming the first.

Now that you have done PEP, you actually have to wait 13 weeks past the completion of that regimen to take a final HIV test. I wouldn't have thought testing even necessary to begin with.

However, having done PEP and with your considerable concern about the issue, I suspect you may not be satisfied until you get the inevitable gold seal negative at 13 weeks. You can test at 6 weeks past the completion of PEP. The negative you'll get at that point is most unlikely to change.

I expect you to come out of this ok. It's too bad you weren't in contact with more informed medical people when this whole event began.

Andy Velez

Offline onetime

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2007, 08:36:17 am »


Yes Andy you are correct now that my head has done a number
I will probably test in 13 weeks (an eternity to me).

Does the 13 week wait include the PCR/DNA test? My GP
set up a viral load test for whenever I want to come in
after the PEP meds, which by the way, was the absolute
worse physical experience I've had on this planet.

I've read no evidence that PEP delays seroconversion or results.

I guess it would have been better if it was just the general ER doc
but when he put a call into the "specialist" my concern ran rampant.




Do you have information on delays due to PEP?   

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2007, 09:07:29 am »
Doing PEP means that the countdown for testing begins from when the PEP is completed. In other words, if you do a PCR, it should be at 28 days after the PEP is completed. Ditto with the 13 weeks to do an ELISA.

That should have been made clear to you when the PEP was started.

I do expect you to come out of this ok.
Andy Velez

Offline onetime

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  • Posts: 8
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2007, 09:40:52 am »
My concern is that blood and possibly a bit of
tissue was at the back of my throat, near the tonsil
which has been inflamed since the incident.

I've read that the cells of the tonsil are the ones that
can get infected as well as the tissue under the
tongue. The ER doc kept saying "you can get medication
into your blood stream via the mouth why couldn't you
get HIV through the mouth?" It freaked me out bad!

I don't think I can wait another 28 days. The RNA test
can pick up the virus at 28 days (sometimes 14 days) from
what I read.  So I should make sure she uses the RNA not
the PCR?

I agree Andy, I wish I would have found accurate information
prior to this whole ordeal.  I am so grateful for this board. I
could not imagine going it alone right now. I feel badly for
the folks who were DX with hiv and didn't have anyone to
talk to, like my partner.   

 


Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2007, 10:36:10 am »
One,

The RNA test IS a PCR test. You can learn more about the various tests if you read the Welcome Thread and follow the Testing Lesson link.

DNA PCR is not approved for diagnostic purposes as it has a high rate of false positive results. The RNA has only been approved as a diagnostic tool in the past year and it is NOT a stand-alone test. It is to be used in conjunction with the standard tests and cannot confirm anything one way or another.

A positive RNA PCR result MUST be confirmed with a positive ELISA and a positive Western Blot.

A negative RNA PCR result MUST be confirmed with a negative ELISA taken three months after exposure, or at three months after the last dose of PEP.

You were unlikely to become infected through your nipple incident. Very unlikely. Add PEP into the equation and I am confident you will end up with a conclusive negative result.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline onetime

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2007, 11:11:45 am »
Thanks Ann:

I did indeed go to the welcome threads and read the information.

I understand that testing just a couple weeks after PEP probably
wont do much for me so I wait again as if the exposure happened
yesterday.

I feel like I've been dropped into some alien world where
my education and reasoning abilities are of no use. How much
of the posts on this board are simply because one feels helpless
and confused at opposed to real risk? I would venture to say, I
am with the majority in that my head has gotten the best of me.

I've read your introduction and I must say I have respect
for your wisdom and attitude.  Your reassurance has meant a lot

Thanks for taking the time.




Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2007, 11:21:13 am »
one,

You're welcome. Now do yourself a favour and get busy doing things you enjoy doing that have nothing to do with hiv. The time will go much faster and you will feel better physically and emotionally too.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2007, 11:21:33 am »
99.9% of the people come here with non-risk issues.

Offline onetime

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2007, 11:40:26 am »


yup, your both right. I had a low risk adventure and I should
direct my energy elsewhere for this time of waiting.

Heck thing is, I'm a counselor and I'm not used to being on
this end of crazy.

I feel guilty and angry that I put myself in that position,
I think I am mentally punishing myself, now I punish myself
because I am punishing myself.  It appears that is a
trend here with the posts and excessive worry. This is all
more of an emotional journey rather than a true risk. I can
only hope this will make me better at some point. It definitely
drove home the ability of the mind to affect the body and
spirit of an individual. If I emerge with more compassion
and understanding then it will have been well worth the trip.

I thank all of you for being there and responding so positively,
allowing me to work this out within myself.

I hope you don't mind if I give a cyber yell in 13 week that all is
well.

Thanks again, keep up the great work.

once 

 
 


Offline Andy Velez

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  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: bit my poz partner!
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2007, 12:47:05 pm »
By all means, let us know. And again, I expect you to test negative.
Andy Velez

Offline onetime

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2007, 07:37:31 am »
Hello all, I'm the one that bit my poz partner and took a bit of blood
in my mouth. I completed nPEP the end of January (started with in 36 hours
of incident).

At my docs advice I took the Gen Pro RNA test yesterday. If it comes
back negitive am I good or do I still need the anitbody tests at 13 weeks
and 6 months? Also, I assume they back up the RNA with an antibody
test at the same time? 

Absolutely no other exposures since the initial incident.

Offline Darkfiber

  • Member
  • Posts: 80
Re: RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2007, 07:43:05 am »
one time

You still need an antibody test 3 months after finishing the last dose of your PEP regimen.

That being said your negative RNA is of course a very good indication of what the end result will be.

D.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2007, 08:03:42 am »
one,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

The RNA test is NOT a stand-alone test. You will still need to confirm your negative results with ELISA testing.

Saying that, I wouldn't have thought PEP was warranted over this situation, or testing. But as you've already gone this far with it, you may as well confirm your negative results and be done with it.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline onetime

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« Reply #17 on: February 17, 2007, 08:43:38 am »

neg RNA at 6.5 weeks, I understand I still need to back it up with
an antibody at 3 months.  I have a 13 week and 6 month test scheduled.

You were all right, I was over stressing and had some irrational fears
going.

Thank you all for your help

 

411

  • Guest
Re: RNA test 6 weeks post bite
« Reply #18 on: February 19, 2007, 01:50:05 am »
Quote
I have a 13 week and 6 month test scheduled
That 6 month test is not needed. A 3 month ELISA is considered definitive and conclusive. Your negative RNA will be supported by your 13 week ELISA given the very low risk nature of this incident.

 


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