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Is HIV Test Done 2 Months After Exposure Conclusive?

Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2015

Question: Is there any exotic HIV strain that either of these tests (below) might have missed? I am still concerned since I have experienced some of the early HIV symptoms (sore throat, oral candidiasis, stomach pain, generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, achiness , night sweats, and a small bilateral red rash on my stomach) for the last month (beginning roughly 2 months post potential exposure through the present).

55 days (post potential exposure)-Oraquick Oral Swap-- NON REACTIVE
58 days-HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qualitative-- NON REACTIVE
58 days-HIV-1 RNA Qualitative--NEGATIVE
90 days- HIV 1/O/2 Abs, Qualitative-- NON REACTIVE
90 days-HIV Screen 4th Generation wRfx--NON REACTIVE
Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV beyond any doubt

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
RNA qualitative test for HIV on 58 days after exposure ruled out HIV 1 infection conclusively. Tests done on 90 days after the exposure ruled out the possibility of HIV 1 and 2 beyond any doubt. There is nothing like a rare strain not detected by these tests, as the 4th generation test is very sensitive and can detect HIV almost 100%. All your symptoms are common for anybody even in the absence of HIV. Oral thrush has to be verified by your physician. Due to your anxiety symptoms would appear due to HIV. Forget about HIV and consult your physician and get treated for your symptoms and get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (13 hours later)

Thank you for your answer! I feel much better knowing I am HIV - , but I am still concerned given my persistent sore throat, white covered tongue, and metallic taste in my mouth. In addition to testing non-reactive for HIV at 58 days, I also tested negative or non-reactive to Syphilis, Chlamydia (urine sample), Gonococcus (urine sample), Herpes 1 & 2, and Hepatitis A, B & C. I retook tests for Syphilis, Hepatitis B & C, and HIV at 90 days; and all those tests were either negative or non-reactive as well. Could my throat/mouth issues be Chlamydia or Gonococcus since only urine samples were taken from me at 58 days and not a throat/mouth swab? However, doesn't either Chlamydia or Gonococcus manifest much sooner than two months post potential exposure (roughly two months after the potential exposure is when I began to develop the throat/mouth issues)? Or could my throat/mouth issues still be some STI related matter? Again, thank you for your services! Be well.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms are unlikely to be due to Gonorrhea/Chlamydia

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You are free from HIV/STD.
Gonorrhea manifestation would be likely to appear within 5 days and Chlamydia within 3 weeks. Symptoms 2 months after the exposure are unlikely to be due to either Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
Your throat infection would not be related to STD and possible due to ordinary bacterial infection.
Consult an ENT specialist and get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T