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Is HIV Antibody Test Conclusive 3 Months Post Exposure?
Question: I've had high risk sex with csw in mid April. As I know hiv has three stages 1) ARS (seroconversion) symptoms occurs in 2-3 weeks 2) asymptomatic (or latent ) period for some year or decades and 3) AIDS.
My exposure was Mid April. Starting May I have seen following symptoms in my body which concerns me greatest as I've NEVER felt this type of things before ever with my body.
From early may to middle of may:
1) Night sweats for 2 weeks where I needed to change cloths every time - this is not happening any more.
2) Rash on face that does not itch I can not shave as it would show up, Red 1cm. patch on scalp
3) Burning skin even day/night during the same time. I never felt those type of burning skin ever...during that two weeks I had dry mouth/dehydration where I used to drink 7-8 32 oz (think of it as big bathroom bucket) water.. frequent urination .... I didn't measure fever but body was burning and I was having night sweats.. not sure what was going on
4) crazy chest pain specially in the middle
5) too much pain underneath armpits during the same time. Now too much wet armpit with bed smell
6) tonsillitis (white tonsil stones) in my mouth that just pops out 2-3 times during that time
7) too much leg muscle pain everyday specially from knees to ankle in legs - THIS IS CONTINUED PROBLEM EVEN NOW.
8) underneath of nails has been turned with white dots with almost all nails. I used to have very shiny nails.
9) few times I had unexplained diarrhea
10) I feel like I should have fever but when you put thermometer, it only goes upto 99.
11) I don't feel like eating anything (loss of appetite) ... but I kept going assuming otherwise, I'll loose weight
12) I get almost tired by noon where I used to work tirelessly without any issues
13) can't concentrate on anything
14) metallic taste in my mouth
15) anemia type of symptoms
It feels like to me that I've just seroconverted and now will be screwed up soon ....
NOW, most of those symptoms are gone from last one week so I would say that all these were there for about 2 weeks, THAT'S ACTUALLY A VERY SCARY SIGN FOR ME AS I THINK OF CONVERSION WINDOW PERIOD.
Now, These are the major symptoms that I have (I won't describe other small symptoms) started from last week or so ago while other are gone (again worried because of conversion window period)
1) So much leg pain in knee and muscle. Yesterday I took total rest and things were fine but as soon as I walked in community, I started having pain in my legs till night
2) I have started getting rashes on head (I found out after hair cut) and on my face that people can visually see if they are closure. If I shave, people would definitely see it right away.
3) I have constant Tinnitus (ear sound) in my ear.
4) I'm getting loose stool from last month or so....
I could not find any other disease with all this symptoms... starting from May 1 to getting peak between May 6 to 2 weeks ... getting better suddenly and having this small systems which persist.... :-( .. I know that I can not change what has already happened but I'm worried.
Q1) Are those ARS symptoms
Q2) Would these signs anything other then HIV STD ? Any other curable STI?
Q3) I'm worried about quality of life with hiv, side effects of hiv treatment, cost of it and overall stigma associated with it...
My exposure was Mid April. Starting May I have seen following symptoms in my body which concerns me greatest as I've NEVER felt this type of things before ever with my body.
From early may to middle of may:
1) Night sweats for 2 weeks where I needed to change cloths every time - this is not happening any more.
2) Rash on face that does not itch I can not shave as it would show up, Red 1cm. patch on scalp
3) Burning skin even day/night during the same time. I never felt those type of burning skin ever...during that two weeks I had dry mouth/dehydration where I used to drink 7-8 32 oz (think of it as big bathroom bucket) water.. frequent urination .... I didn't measure fever but body was burning and I was having night sweats.. not sure what was going on
4) crazy chest pain specially in the middle
5) too much pain underneath armpits during the same time. Now too much wet armpit with bed smell
6) tonsillitis (white tonsil stones) in my mouth that just pops out 2-3 times during that time
7) too much leg muscle pain everyday specially from knees to ankle in legs - THIS IS CONTINUED PROBLEM EVEN NOW.
8) underneath of nails has been turned with white dots with almost all nails. I used to have very shiny nails.
9) few times I had unexplained diarrhea
10) I feel like I should have fever but when you put thermometer, it only goes upto 99.
11) I don't feel like eating anything (loss of appetite) ... but I kept going assuming otherwise, I'll loose weight
12) I get almost tired by noon where I used to work tirelessly without any issues
13) can't concentrate on anything
14) metallic taste in my mouth
15) anemia type of symptoms
It feels like to me that I've just seroconverted and now will be screwed up soon ....
NOW, most of those symptoms are gone from last one week so I would say that all these were there for about 2 weeks, THAT'S ACTUALLY A VERY SCARY SIGN FOR ME AS I THINK OF CONVERSION WINDOW PERIOD.
Now, These are the major symptoms that I have (I won't describe other small symptoms) started from last week or so ago while other are gone (again worried because of conversion window period)
1) So much leg pain in knee and muscle. Yesterday I took total rest and things were fine but as soon as I walked in community, I started having pain in my legs till night
2) I have started getting rashes on head (I found out after hair cut) and on my face that people can visually see if they are closure. If I shave, people would definitely see it right away.
3) I have constant Tinnitus (ear sound) in my ear.
4) I'm getting loose stool from last month or so....
I could not find any other disease with all this symptoms... starting from May 1 to getting peak between May 6 to 2 weeks ... getting better suddenly and having this small systems which persist.... :-( .. I know that I can not change what has already happened but I'm worried.
Q1) Are those ARS symptoms
Q2) Would these signs anything other then HIV STD ? Any other curable STI?
Q3) I'm worried about quality of life with hiv, side effects of hiv treatment, cost of it and overall stigma associated with it...
brief answer
not related to hiv
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic.
I have gone through your detailed query and I appreciate the detail with which you have described your symptoms.
1) not ars. Your symptoms are definitely stress related as they seem very non specific.
Confirmatory tests for HIV antibodies are best done after 3 months of exposure to rule out window period.
But you can undergo PCR testing for HIV RNA which is the preferable test during window period.
For now, I suggest meditation and deep breathing exercises to reduce your stress levels.
2) This episode seems to be causing lots of anxiety in you and that could be presenting with such non specific symptoms. They are definitely not HIV related or due to any other sexually transmitted infection.
3) do not worry about hiv now and its stigma even before confirmation. you should get elisa for hiv after 3 months of exposure.
Please get back if you have any more queries.
Thanks
not related to hiv
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic.
I have gone through your detailed query and I appreciate the detail with which you have described your symptoms.
1) not ars. Your symptoms are definitely stress related as they seem very non specific.
Confirmatory tests for HIV antibodies are best done after 3 months of exposure to rule out window period.
But you can undergo PCR testing for HIV RNA which is the preferable test during window period.
For now, I suggest meditation and deep breathing exercises to reduce your stress levels.
2) This episode seems to be causing lots of anxiety in you and that could be presenting with such non specific symptoms. They are definitely not HIV related or due to any other sexually transmitted infection.
3) do not worry about hiv now and its stigma even before confirmation. you should get elisa for hiv after 3 months of exposure.
Please get back if you have any more queries.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi. i understand but the symptoms does not go away..... i think this has damaged my thyroid
Brief Answer:
Do not worry, try meditation and relaxation exercises
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
I understand your anxiety but you do not have any need to worry. You will see that your symptoms will reduce once you do something to relieve your stress.
I suggest you practice meditation techniques like deep breathing and other relaxation exercises like yoga which will help you control your anxiety levels.
You can always get your thyroid profile done to rule out any thyroid abnormalities.
I hope I have helped. Please get back if any more queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks
Do not worry, try meditation and relaxation exercises
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
I understand your anxiety but you do not have any need to worry. You will see that your symptoms will reduce once you do something to relieve your stress.
I suggest you practice meditation techniques like deep breathing and other relaxation exercises like yoga which will help you control your anxiety levels.
You can always get your thyroid profile done to rule out any thyroid abnormalities.
I hope I have helped. Please get back if any more queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
What does RNA TAM test does (not pcr) ? I know that it's accurate after 10-11 day but how about after 5 weeks ?
Brief Answer:
TMA is transcription-mediated amplification
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
RNA TMA test for HIV is an FDA approved test which can be done to detect HIV before seroconversion takes place.
In this test, RNA of HIV 1 is targeted and amplified by transcription mediated amplification and then these amplified products are detected by hybridization probes.
This test is used for early detection of HIV 1 and is one of the tests which can be done during the window period.
Studies indicate this test detects HIV 1 prior to seroconversion and can be used as a confirmatory test in acute HIV infection along with detection of HIV antibodies.
Sensitivity of the test does not alter much up to 3 months of exposure or window period and is accurate enough.
I hope I have cleared your doubts.
Do not hesitate to get back if any more queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks.
TMA is transcription-mediated amplification
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
RNA TMA test for HIV is an FDA approved test which can be done to detect HIV before seroconversion takes place.
In this test, RNA of HIV 1 is targeted and amplified by transcription mediated amplification and then these amplified products are detected by hybridization probes.
This test is used for early detection of HIV 1 and is one of the tests which can be done during the window period.
Studies indicate this test detects HIV 1 prior to seroconversion and can be used as a confirmatory test in acute HIV infection along with detection of HIV antibodies.
Sensitivity of the test does not alter much up to 3 months of exposure or window period and is accurate enough.
I hope I have cleared your doubts.
Do not hesitate to get back if any more queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
TY, As I understand from lingo , Virus >> ARS >> sero conversion happens in that order and at some point in time 4th generation gets. I understand that 95% of the people gets detected in 4 week timeframe through 4th gen. however I'm not sure if RNA TMA test can prove anything in this situation and timeline...
Note: I have had severe ARS symptoms between 2-4 weeks (I've checked all hiv sites and my symptoms are consistent with ARS) and unfortunately I do feel great again as those symptoms went away.....
1) 1 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
2) 4 1/2 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
3) 5 1/2 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
4) 5 1/2 week RNA TMA non-reactive...
I heard that RNA TMA is good but by the time I had it done, it could be possible that viral load may have gone significantly down to not to be detected...
Note: I have had severe ARS symptoms between 2-4 weeks (I've checked all hiv sites and my symptoms are consistent with ARS) and unfortunately I do feel great again as those symptoms went away.....
1) 1 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
2) 4 1/2 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
3) 5 1/2 week 4th gen ab/ag duo -ve
4) 5 1/2 week RNA TMA non-reactive...
I heard that RNA TMA is good but by the time I had it done, it could be possible that viral load may have gone significantly down to not to be detected...
Brief Answer:
HIV viral load does not reduce so much as not to be detected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
Based on the test results mentioned in your query, your HIV status is definitely negative.
Coming to the accuracy of the TMA test, it is one if the sensitive tests during window period, considering the viral load to be high during that period as seroconversion is still taking place in the body.
Moreover, a particular RNA sequence of HIV 1 is targeted which will definitely be detected.
RNA TMA test at 5 and half weeks of exposure is accurate enough.
So do not worry about your HIV status, it is negative.
I suggest you take precautions in the future and avoid unsafe practices.
I hope I have helped.
Wish you good luck,
Thanks.
HIV viral load does not reduce so much as not to be detected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.
Based on the test results mentioned in your query, your HIV status is definitely negative.
Coming to the accuracy of the TMA test, it is one if the sensitive tests during window period, considering the viral load to be high during that period as seroconversion is still taking place in the body.
Moreover, a particular RNA sequence of HIV 1 is targeted which will definitely be detected.
RNA TMA test at 5 and half weeks of exposure is accurate enough.
So do not worry about your HIV status, it is negative.
I suggest you take precautions in the future and avoid unsafe practices.
I hope I have helped.
Wish you good luck,
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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