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Does HIV PEP Medicine Delay Antibody Testing?
Question: Sir , I have anal unprotect sex two time in a day with a transgender . Next day I test her hiv in a lab report come positive.
After that I went to a sexologist who give me hiv pep medicine RITOCOM ( lopinavir 200+ritonavir50) mg two mornings and two evening, RECOVIR EM (emtricitabin 200+tenofovir 300)mg one tablet evening.
I star medicine within 48 hours . After 20 day I got my neck lymph nodes swallow and throat infection. And some stomach lymph nodes swallow.
I finished my pep treatment and test TRI dot hiv antibody testing at 31 day from the day of exposure negative.
After 60 day I got some rashes on my arm who come and go.
Test again hiv antibody in ICTC centre at 63 day , 90 day, and 110 day from the day of exposure negative.
Test HCV , HBV, VDRL negative at 90 day from the day of exposure negative.
Test again at hiv antibody 172 day from the day of exposure in ICTC centre negative.
But I am not feeling well .
Some time headache and mouth ulcer.i have regular yellow colour urine till now.
I loose my arm and leg fat during pep treatment.
I have neck lymph nodes swallow till now and stomach lymph nodes count increase.
My question is.
1.Is my testing conclusive or not.
2. May I need PCR testing.
3.does hiv pep medicine delay antibody testing.
4.is this all symptoms due to side effects of hiv pep.
Please help me sir
After that I went to a sexologist who give me hiv pep medicine RITOCOM ( lopinavir 200+ritonavir50) mg two mornings and two evening, RECOVIR EM (emtricitabin 200+tenofovir 300)mg one tablet evening.
I star medicine within 48 hours . After 20 day I got my neck lymph nodes swallow and throat infection. And some stomach lymph nodes swallow.
I finished my pep treatment and test TRI dot hiv antibody testing at 31 day from the day of exposure negative.
After 60 day I got some rashes on my arm who come and go.
Test again hiv antibody in ICTC centre at 63 day , 90 day, and 110 day from the day of exposure negative.
Test HCV , HBV, VDRL negative at 90 day from the day of exposure negative.
Test again at hiv antibody 172 day from the day of exposure in ICTC centre negative.
But I am not feeling well .
Some time headache and mouth ulcer.i have regular yellow colour urine till now.
I loose my arm and leg fat during pep treatment.
I have neck lymph nodes swallow till now and stomach lymph nodes count increase.
My question is.
1.Is my testing conclusive or not.
2. May I need PCR testing.
3.does hiv pep medicine delay antibody testing.
4.is this all symptoms due to side effects of hiv pep.
Please help me sir
Brief Answer:
Symptoms unrelated to HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Negative HIV tests after 90 days for all practical purposes rules out HIV. I do not suggest PCR test and we can consider the test results conclusive.
No, HIV PEP medicines do not interfere or delay antibody testing significantly.
The symptoms of headache, mouth ulcer and yellow discoloration of urine are unrelated to HIV PEP medications.
I do not understand what you meant by lymph nodes swallow. Do you mean swelling? If yes, they are unrelated to medications. You can check with the doctor if the swelling is significant as many a times lymph node swelling are not significant.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Symptoms unrelated to HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Negative HIV tests after 90 days for all practical purposes rules out HIV. I do not suggest PCR test and we can consider the test results conclusive.
No, HIV PEP medicines do not interfere or delay antibody testing significantly.
The symptoms of headache, mouth ulcer and yellow discoloration of urine are unrelated to HIV PEP medications.
I do not understand what you meant by lymph nodes swallow. Do you mean swelling? If yes, they are unrelated to medications. You can check with the doctor if the swelling is significant as many a times lymph node swelling are not significant.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Sorry sir my English is poor , please understand.
I tested at 172 day from the day of exposure by dr lal path cmia negative.
But I feel every time headache with low grade fever . I feeling lymph nodes swelling in neck and stomach who is hard like lipoma ,there is no pain. Does it all symptoms of any kind of sti or other .
I contact two sexologist who suggested me continue antibody testing for 2 years or give him a blood sample for PCR testing .
Please suggest me most reliable test for me.
And what kind of test for lymph nodes .
If this symptoms due to medication what can I do for remove these
I tested at 172 day from the day of exposure by dr lal path cmia negative.
But I feel every time headache with low grade fever . I feeling lymph nodes swelling in neck and stomach who is hard like lipoma ,there is no pain. Does it all symptoms of any kind of sti or other .
I contact two sexologist who suggested me continue antibody testing for 2 years or give him a blood sample for PCR testing .
Please suggest me most reliable test for me.
And what kind of test for lymph nodes .
If this symptoms due to medication what can I do for remove these
Brief Answer:
Symptoms non specific.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
When you say low grade fever, I would like to know if you have measured fever with a thermometer.
In my view, the headache and 'feverish' feeling are not specific and I do not suspect sexually transmitted infection here. Has any of the doctor confirmed presence of swollen lymph nodes? If yes, how big are the lymph nodes. Before you consider evaluating for neck lymph nodes and stomach mass, contact your family doctor who can examine the nodes and mass.
As far as HIV is concerned, for all practical purposes the test are conclusive. Late seroconversion are extremely, extremely rare. In my 13 years of experience, I haven't seen or heard of any late seroconversions. So I don't consider repeating antibody testing after 2 years or the PCR test are necessary.
The described symptoms are not specific to infection per se; nor are they related to medications. You will benefit by consulting a doctor locally. He/she can objectively measure and examine the swellings / masses.
Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need any more clarifications.
Regards
Symptoms non specific.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
When you say low grade fever, I would like to know if you have measured fever with a thermometer.
In my view, the headache and 'feverish' feeling are not specific and I do not suspect sexually transmitted infection here. Has any of the doctor confirmed presence of swollen lymph nodes? If yes, how big are the lymph nodes. Before you consider evaluating for neck lymph nodes and stomach mass, contact your family doctor who can examine the nodes and mass.
As far as HIV is concerned, for all practical purposes the test are conclusive. Late seroconversion are extremely, extremely rare. In my 13 years of experience, I haven't seen or heard of any late seroconversions. So I don't consider repeating antibody testing after 2 years or the PCR test are necessary.
The described symptoms are not specific to infection per se; nor are they related to medications. You will benefit by consulting a doctor locally. He/she can objectively measure and examine the swellings / masses.
Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need any more clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear sir thank you very much.
If all antibody testing is conclusive at 90 day with pep or without pep , why some doctors say testing after pep 180 day.
Please suggest me what is naco guideline for pep medicine and testing.
Please suggest me what I can do for remove all these symptoms .
If you think anything testing for clarify my problem please write to me.
Last question may I lead a normal sex life with my wife or not .
If all antibody testing is conclusive at 90 day with pep or without pep , why some doctors say testing after pep 180 day.
Please suggest me what is naco guideline for pep medicine and testing.
Please suggest me what I can do for remove all these symptoms .
If you think anything testing for clarify my problem please write to me.
Last question may I lead a normal sex life with my wife or not .
Brief Answer:
PEP medications appropriate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As far as guidelines are concerned, internationally it is accepted to use two neucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one / two protease inhibitor (PI) medications as part of PEP. It is important to start PEP drugs within 72 hours; the more earlier the more better it is.
Accordingly WHO has recommended the use of following drugs:
1. Tenofovir (300mg) once daily
2. Lamivudine (300mg) or Emtricitabine (200mg) once daily
3. Lopinavir (400mg) + Ritonavir (100mg) or Atazanvir (300mg)+ Ritonavir (100mg) twice daily. Other drugs like Darunavir, raltegravir and efavirenz are also considered.
1 and 2 are NRTI while 3 is a PI medication.
NACO guidelines use Tenofovir + Lamivudine in the above mentioned dosage along with Efavirenz.
Therefore you are treated appropriately using WHO guidelines of PEP.
As far as testing is considered, there are some reports that suggest antibody productions are delayed initially following PEP medications. However most physicians consider results after 3 months (90 days) appropriate with or without PEP drugs. So I wouldn't be worried about false negative results and do not suggest more testings.
And about your symptoms are concerned, as I mentioned earlier it is important that you see a doctor who can examine the masses. They may or may not be of significance.
You are free to lead normal life without fears of HIV. Do not indulge in risky exposures again.
I hope I have addressed all your questions. Let me know if you need any more clarifications.
Regards
PEP medications appropriate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As far as guidelines are concerned, internationally it is accepted to use two neucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one / two protease inhibitor (PI) medications as part of PEP. It is important to start PEP drugs within 72 hours; the more earlier the more better it is.
Accordingly WHO has recommended the use of following drugs:
1. Tenofovir (300mg) once daily
2. Lamivudine (300mg) or Emtricitabine (200mg) once daily
3. Lopinavir (400mg) + Ritonavir (100mg) or Atazanvir (300mg)+ Ritonavir (100mg) twice daily. Other drugs like Darunavir, raltegravir and efavirenz are also considered.
1 and 2 are NRTI while 3 is a PI medication.
NACO guidelines use Tenofovir + Lamivudine in the above mentioned dosage along with Efavirenz.
Therefore you are treated appropriately using WHO guidelines of PEP.
As far as testing is considered, there are some reports that suggest antibody productions are delayed initially following PEP medications. However most physicians consider results after 3 months (90 days) appropriate with or without PEP drugs. So I wouldn't be worried about false negative results and do not suggest more testings.
And about your symptoms are concerned, as I mentioned earlier it is important that you see a doctor who can examine the masses. They may or may not be of significance.
You are free to lead normal life without fears of HIV. Do not indulge in risky exposures again.
I hope I have addressed all your questions. Let me know if you need any more clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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