Negative for HIV with a 4th generation test can I still have HIV or AIDS?

[DanaPopescuTOP]

Last September, I've woken up with oral candidiasis, which was confirmed as a very mild infection by an ENT doctor.

Since so many online articles say that oral candidiasis is a sign of HIV, I've decided to take a 4th generation antibody/antigen test at a clinic, 5 years after a possible exposure (unprotected receptive vaginal sex with an ex, without ejaculation). The test came back negative (my value was 0.191, and it was stated that if you have a value lower than 0.9 the test is negative).

Since then, I've gotten 2 yeast infections, gingivitis, mouth sores, neuropathic pain (which a neurologist i went to, thinks is either because of anxiety or because of vitamin b12 deficiency since I'm vegetarian - I'm in the process of investigating the neuropathic pain). I've read online that sometimes in the very late stages of AIDS the antibodies disappear? Could it be possible to be my case? Would I know if I'm very late stage? Would doctors I went to for unrelated issues notice that I'm very late stage AIDS if that would be the case?

I also took a some general blood tests for unrelated issues (CBC, ESR, rheumatoid factor, CRP, serum uric acid, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, calcium, serum creatinine, GGT, glucose, cholesterol, magnesium, total serum protein, TGO, TGP, alkaline phosphatase, TSH, anti-TPO, insulin). They all came back good. If i was late stage AIDS would there be a change seen in these tests?

I know that for my peace of mind I should repeat the HIV test. But I can't bring myself to do it. I had such horrible panic attacks while waiting for the results. Do you think a 4th generation antibody/antigen test 5 years after a possible exposure is accurate?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Once you have HIV antibodies they are produced for life, and since you are typing here i presume you are not a few hours away from death. So you are no exception to this.

You have conclusively tested negative post the encounter 5 years ago, so you did not acquire HIV from that encounter, however as a note if you are sexually active you need to start testing more regularly for HIV & easier to transmit STI's and at the very least yearly as standard routine regardless if you think you had a risk or not.

As for the common thrush, everyone has this fungal regardless of HIV status and an overgrowth of it is so common that practically everyone will have it at some stage in their lifetime, if its getting worse or concerns you go to the doctor and treat it.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP as an additional layer of HIV prevention in the future.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on
HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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[DanaPopescuTOP]

Thank you so much for your answer. It means more than you think. So very late stage means hours before death? I don't think I am, hopefully.

The common thrush cleared by itself, after the EMT visit. I was worried about the yeast infections, gingivitis, mouth sores, neuropathic pain I had experienced lately. While some of them are gone and I'm going to doctors for the ones that did not(the neuropathic pain - for which I saw a GP, 2 rheumatologists and a neurologist, none of them said anything about possible HIV/AIDS), it scares me so bad that if i google any symptoms, dear Webmd/similar websites always lists HIV/AIDS as a possible cause.

I haven't been sexually active(and did not have other recent risk situations either) after testing negative for HIV, so a new infection is not the case. I do think that it would be better to test more frequently in the future.

To end my rant..maybe I need to stop my "friendship" with Webmd. Thank you again for your answer.

[Jim Allen]

Yeah, looking up symptoms is not helpful at all as most sites simply lack the context and readers often miss the point that many symptoms overlap or focus on one thing (Biased reading or searching) . Truth is normally spoken the most common cause is the most common cause and people can have multiple issues at once in life, its not all interconnected and requires no further thought.

Stick to going to the doctor if you are sick, continue to work with them. Stop reading stuff online and the HIV result is conclusive if what you posted is correct so relax

Jim

[DanaPopescuTOP]

Hopefully, one day I will part ways with my hobby of searching symptoms on google.

Thank you again for your answers and patience.

[Jim Allen]

you're welcome