Could I actually be HIV+ if I have symptoms during/after a neg rapid test result

[javi1]

I have been doing a lot of research but I can't find anything to answer my question.  Let me start off by saying that I have had horrible headaches, fevers, night chills, and fatigue for more than two weeks, and it doesn't seem to be getting better.  About 5 days into my sickness I got tested and although I got a negative result on my rapid blood test, I am waiting to hear back from the RNA/pool test.

I should also mention that I am a top.  I ALWAYS wear a condom and I rarely bottom and if I do, I of course wrap it up.  I don't do any drugs.  No poppers. Nothing.  I will admit that a few times I have been pretty unsafe orally.  I have had cum in my mouth and in my eye on a few occasions but usually spit it out.  I have had some minor gum bleeding recently.  I am always hearing different theories and studies on the chances of getting HIV through oral so I do not know what is correct. 

I went to the ER yesterday because I don't have insurance or a regular doctor and I could not take the pressure in my brain anymore.  I felt like I was walking around drunk and out of focus and I just couldn't stand it anymore.  I am a very active person, and I go to the gym regularly.  All I do is la around in bed and drink liquids now and my muscles are disappearing and I am losing weight- not cute.  They took blood, did a CT scan, and a Spinal tap (which was horrible).  They could not find any meningitis or tumors even though they suspected it cold be one or the other.  The doctor did say he found traces of Hepatitis but then came back later and said that it was just that my liver enzymes were very high.  Probably had to do with all the tylenol I've been taking.  In the end, they said it must just be some bad virus that I need to wait out.  Great.  A huge bill and no solution.  At least I know what it isn't.

But this waiting for the RNA test results are nagging at me, and I can't help but feel that I may have HIV.  If the body is reacting to antibodies production or I am showing symptoms of HIV when tested, should a rapid test find that I am positive?  I would think if I am reacting to an infection, that a test would be able to pick up the virus.  I know about the window, I'm just really scared.  Sorry if this is a stupid question.

[RapidRod]

You don't have an HIV concern you never had an exposure.

[Ann]

javi,

Wow, a CT scan, LP and an RNA test, all with no insurance? Those are all very expensive tests/procedures. My heart goes out to people in the US who have no health insurance. I'm an ex-pat living in the UK (20+yrs) and I thank my lucky stars I got to move here with our NHS. I know what it's like to live in the US with no health insurance - it sucks.

You do not report having any real risks. Unless your oral health is absolutely terrible (think meth-mouth) and you were unlucky enough to blow a guy who was recently infected with a sky-high viral load, then oral isn't a route for hiv infection.

The illness that some (not all) people experience during primary hiv infection is not caused by the virus itself. It is caused by the process the body goes through while producing antibodies. During this process the body produces several chemicals, one of which is called interferon and interferon is what causes the flu-like symptoms.

So, if your illness is indeed ARS, I would have expected your rapid test to have an indeterminate result, if not outright positive. If you were tested with a fourth generation test (which also tests for the p24 antigen), then I'm not expecting your results to change.

The p24 antigen is only present very early on in primary infection, before enough antibodies are produced to generate a positive antibody test. If you had not created enough antibodies yet, the p24 antigen would have been present and you would have had a positive result.

Your RNA most certainly will be positive if this is ARS. But I very much doubt it IS ARS considering you do not report any real risks.

The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. A six week negative is highly unlikely to change, but must be confirmed at the three month point.

If your RNA comes back negative (and I expect it to) and you want further hiv testing for your peace of mind, go to poz.com's Health Services Directory to find a free testing center near you. Don't use the ER.

There are plenty of pathogens in the world that can make one ill, but I really rather doubt that hiv is the cause in your case.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!!!

Ann