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Why Should HIV Test Be Repeated?
Question: this email is for dr XXXXXXX chacko. .. elisa is negative but the doc here says that you should repeat this in three months. .
Brief Answer:
HIV Elisa
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Welcome back,
In HIV, there is something called a window period. HIV Elisa is positive when antibodies against HIV are present in blood. Some patients having virus in their blood might produce antibodies against HIV a little late, so they will be negative by Elisa but will be having HIV virus. This period can range from 3 to 6 months. So a second test after 3-6 months if negative confirms that you are HIV negative.
So please repeat it after 3-6 months to be absolutely sure.
Hope I have answered your query, Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is for dr. chacko. I have continued the medication as prescribed. However I have the following questions, please bear with me
1. The blisters have subsided but marks are still there. It's this normal. I am still on medication.
2. I have kids with me. Is touching them or hugging them a problem.
3. I have attached a photograph of a small red kind of blister on my knee. What is this please.
4. another photograph of something like a wart on my neck. I have this in in two places. I am sure I did not have them earlier.
5. my nails ate getting white at the bottom. Two nails thumb and the v pointing finder. is this any problem
please answer me
this is for dr XXXXXXX chaco...
I am in severe distress. .. I just now found after removing my socks. ..that there are small yet to become blisters kind if stuff in my feet near ankle. There are also black spots appearing on my palm.. what do I do...
Sorry dr XXXXXXX chacko.... one more development I forgot.. there is a black spot on my right pointing finger just below the nail... please advise...
Brief Answer:
Genital Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Welcome back,
1. The marks will take time to go. Do not continue those tablets. They work only when you have active herpes.
2. Touching or hugging kids is alright.
3. That red blister looks like cherry angioma, not herpes. You may leave it alone.
4. What you are having on the neck is a skin tag. It is a benign swelling. It can be left alone. If you want it to be removed, it can be cauterized by electrosurgery, a simple office procedure done by dermatologist.
5. You have melanonychia of the nail. It could be due to a mole in the nail bed. It is nothing serious and can be left alone.
What you are having on the feet and on the palm might not be herpes. If you can upload pictures of it I will have a look. Black spot on the pointing finger below nail might be a mole.
Hope this helped,
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank You. But all this is happening after the genital herpes. I feel tired too. I am on b comp and vitamin C... is there anything else I should take supplements. I shall upload photograph of my leg later. Thank you so much. Is there any counseling I can take on line. This has freaked me out and has ruined my daily life.
Brief Answer:
Benign skin conditions
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Welcome back.
All these small skin problems would have been there even before you had herpes. Only when you developed herpes, you started looking at your skin closely and thats why you found them. B complex and Vitamin C is good enough. You don't require any other supplements. What you are having is venerophobia? Once you get a sexually transmitted infection you will be scared and attribute all normal and abnormal signs and symptoms to the disease. Now what has happened has happened. Learn from this episode, be careful next time and move on. HIV and VDRL is negative. Be relieved. Be faithful.
If you are still having trouble adjusting, you should see a psychiatrist. It is better that counseling is done face to face and not online.
Hope this helped,
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
dr XXXXXXX chaco
all these melanonychia ( I have these in three nails on both hands.. a rainbow kind expanding whiteness), Angioma and Keratolysis.. Are these related to herpes. .. Because my twelve week tests are 7 weeks away.... I am sure my leg was not like this earlier. .. I am aware that some of it is over anxiety.... is there any medicine you may recommend for the black spots on the leg and blister kind of stuff... hopefully this will be my last follow up question till my three month tests are done.
Brief Answer:
Clarifications
Detailed Answer:
HelloXXXX
Melanonychia of three fingernails could also be due to a condition called Lichen planus. According to me it is only of cosmetic concern and leave it alone. Cherry angioma and skin tags are not related to herpes. You didn't upload pictures of the black spots and blister kind of stuff on the legs. Please do it so that I can assess and recommend treatment.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
l did load the pics earlier. however I load it ag a in. thanks for your reply.
Brief Answer:
Black dots
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Sorry for the delay. Saw the pictures. They are not blister like, they appeared flat and brownish black with a warty surface. It looks like early seborrhoeic keratosis.Seborrhoeic keratosis is a sign of ageing and it is not related to Herpes. Do not worry and move on.
Take care.
Wish you good health.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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