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[Crushed]

I had an exposure that was unprotected receptive with hiv-1 poz person 80 days ago.i did not know at the time of they’re status. Person showed proof of u=u from their quant test they’d taken 7 days after exposure when asked after symptoms developed. I’ve had an hiv-1 rna and hiv 1/2 antibody test lab taken by vein after 66 days at clinic and 70 days at Primary Doc. All negative. Symptoms started at 5 weeks post exposure and have went away after 2-3 weeks minus one still swollen lymph node in armpit and overall sweatiness.  The question is could I be infected with hiv-2 ? Any chance those antibodies take longer to show ? I plan on testing again after 90 days. Also, if someone is taking medication to get them to u=u on hiv-1 quant, could they transmit hiv-2 if they were unknowingly coinfected. I do have massive stress and anxiety happening. Symptoms were lyphm nodes, diarrhea stomach pain headaches sore throat night sweats joint pain. No real fever.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

So you had condomless intercourse and had a non-reactive (lab) HIV antibody test result at 66 & 80 days post-exposure?

[Crushed]

66 and 70 days. I’m currently at 80 days actually 82. Concerned that there was no option for hiv-2 rna test. Only hiv-1. Also concerned that the hiv-2 antibodies may show later but I don’t know. HIV-1 rna negative and no reaction to antigen or antibody for hiv-1 is reassuring for no hiv-1 infection according to Primary Doc but still concerned about hiv-2.  Test was hiv-1rna and 4th gen antigen and hiv1/2 antibody

[Jim Allen]

Person showed proof of u=u from their quant test they’d taken 7 days after exposure when asked

I don't know what they showed you or if what they showed you was true. What I can say is that a person living with HIV who is on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and has achieved a suppressed viral load (below 200 copies) in their blood for 6+ months, can not sexually pass on HIV.

More details can be found here: https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=71864.0

Concerned that there was no option for hiv-2 rna test. Only hiv-1.

That you had no option for an RNA test that included HIV-2 doesn't concern or surprise me and you didn't and don't need one for HIV-1 either.

Also, if someone is taking medication to get them to u=u on hiv-1 quant, could they transmit hiv-2 if they were unknowingly coinfected.

The short answer is, no.

The question is could I be infected with hiv-2 ?

No

Any chance those antibodies take longer to show ?

Then in response to HIV-1? Yes, slightly but it's irrelevant as they would still develop to detectable levels within the same window period set for testing.

66 and 70 days

You did not acquire HIV from the concerned incident.

There is no need for further HIV testing unless you have had ongoing (more recent) exposures. Move on with your life.

Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV and get vaccinated against HPV, Hepatitis A & B.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Jim Allen]

7 days after exposure when asked

Instead of asking irrelevant questions from sexual partners, next time regardless of what is said, claimed or what they can show you, be smarter, presume there is a risk and use condoms + consider PrEP.

[Crushed]

Thank you for responses. The proof was a screenshot from their lab results that were sent upon request immediately .not sure if that was consistent for 6 months but after testing negative and talking to doc I guess my hiv-1 concerns has been relieved for the most part. Due to no antigen testing for hiv-2 and still inside the 90 day antibody window, I worry about hiv-2 infection still. I say this because without antigen detection, a fourth gen acts as a third gen while searching for hiv-2 with 90 day window period. I also thought additional medication was needed for hiv-2 to fully suppress. A slightly different regiment then hiv-1 so wasn’t sure if the u=u would hold true for hiv-2. If you have time would you expand on the short answer being no to this. I am just repeating things I’ve read recently and I’m hoping you are right.

[Jim Allen]

I say this because without antigen detection, a fourth-gen acts as a third gen while searching for hiv-2 with 90 day window period.

.

So when I said move on with your life it's based on the antibody result, not the antigen result. In short, an antigen test has limitations and can be somewhat irrelevant even when looking at HIV-1 but that it really doesn't matter or is relevant when you or others get an HIV test from their doctor.

The proof was a screenshot from their lab results that were sent upon request immediately .

A screenshot... so very reliable and meaningful, not.

Like I said, I don't know what they showed you or if what they showed you was true. What I can say is that a person living with HIV who is on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and has achieved a suppressed viral load (below 200 copies) in their blood for 6+ months, can not sexually pass on HIV.

More details can be found here: https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=71864.0

I also thought additional medication was needed for hiv-2 to fully suppress.

No, but certain meds will not work and sometimes it means a different combination of meds or recommended meds than others might take, but not necessarily. Additional meds would certainly be a case in people living with HIV-1 + drug resistance.

Anyhow, in brief, antiretroviral drugs for HIV are mostly developed against HIV-1 and subgroups, and HIV drugs like efavirenz are ineffective against HIV-2. However, whilst this is true, there are other drug classes and combinations that successfully can treat both HIV 1 & 2.

This is something that can be a very in-depth topic to discuss that we could but were not as it's not needed.
99%+ of the world's population doesn't even need to know this stuff, not even people living with HIV need to know this and despite what you might think it's not relevant to your concern about if you have HIV.

If you have time would you expand on the short answer being no to this.

Sure, the situation is you had condomless sex, you have tested and thankfully you don't have HIV from the concerned encounter. Next time avoid the drama, be smart and use condoms & consider PrEP.

[Jim Allen]

There is no need for further HIV testing unless you have had ongoing (more recent) exposures. Move on with your life.