[Guest]

Doctor.

On the 6th of October 2001 I had vaginal sex with a sex worker. 2.5 weeks later I had an Antigen test which came back non reactive. 12.5 weeks later I had an ELISA test, non reactive. At 24 weeks 3 days I had another ELISA test which came back negative. Can there be any shadow of doubt that I do not have HIV. At 26 weeks I am also having another ELISA test done and also a CD-4 Cell test. If they come back OK can I honestly say that there is no possibility that I have been infected with HIV

Regards,

Kevin

[Guest]

It's impossible to ever say that there's no possibility of almost anything! But, two negative tests after a single episode of vaginal sex with a sex worker is good enough for me to tell you to move on. AND don't have sex with sex workers, they are very high risk!!
[quote] Doctor.

On the 6th of October 2001 I had vaginal sex with a sex worker... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doctor,

The antibody test at 26 weeks came back negative and my T-Cells are in the normal range. I know that even if I am +ve the cells could be normal but how likely is that after 6 months i.e can these cells be effected at 6 months or is that too early. I have read that some people may seroconvert after 6 months, how many documented cases of this have there been? What test can I get done in conjunction with an antibody test to rule out the likely hood of being one of these people that seroconvert beyond 6 months. What has the longest window period that has been documented?

Please answer as I'm very worried
[quote] It's impossible to ever say that there's no possibility of almost anything. But, two negative tests after a single episode of vaginal sex with a sex worker is good enough for me to tell you to move on... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doctor,

The antibody test at 26 weeks came back negative and my T-Cells are in the normal range. I know that even if I am +ve the cells could be normal but how likely is that after 6 months i.e can these cells be effected at 6 months or is that too early. I have read that some people may seroconvert after 6 months, how many documented cases of this have there been? What test can I get done in conjunction with an antibody test to rule out the likely hood of being one of these people that seroconvert beyond 6 months. What has the longest window period that has been documented?

Please answer as I'm very worried
[quote] It's impossible to ever say that there's no possibility of almost anything. But, two negative tests after a single episode of vaginal sex with a sex worker is good enough for me to tell you to move on... [/quote]

[Guest]

The gold standard is a viral load. You could do that, but a negative elisa at 6 months after one risky act is pretty reassuring. In honesty, something that's always dangerous when coming from a doctor, it sounds like you're driving yourself crazy....guilt? what?
A viral load will conclusively close the door. In terms of the world history of people converting after 6 months. Nobody knows. With the current tests it's felt to be rare. Remember, besides your initial risky activity, nothing sounds like hiv. No ARS, no other signs of immune deficiency. It's only in folks with these things that we'd consider false negatives.
GR
[quote] Doctor,

The antibody test at 26 weeks came back negative and my T-Cells are in the normal range. I know that even if I am +ve the cells could be normal but how likely is that after 6 months i... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doctor,

Thankyou ever so much for corresponding with me so promptly, you are creating clarity for me at last. When you say that the -ve Elisa at 6 months is "pretty reasuring" what do you mean, can you be more specific. Also I thought that the Gold Standard was the Elisa test at 6 months? What will the viral load test show me and how is it conclusive in my case if it comes back OK? Will the Viral Load test bury this for me?

Thanks for all your help the stress I've been under is crippling
[quote] The gold standard is a viral load. You could do that, but a negative elisa at 6 months after one risky act is pretty reassuring... [/quote]

[Guest]

The viral load is a direct measure of how much virus is in your system. If it is undetectable for you, it means you're not infected. The problem with the test, is because it is so sensitive, it sometimes reports very low level virus in people who are truely negative. It does that in less than 1/1000 though. So, yes that test would say, move on. GR
[quote] Doctor,

Thankyou ever so much for corresponding with me so promptly, you are creating clarity for me at last. When you say that the -ve Elisa at 6 months is "pretty reasuring" what do you mean, can you be more specific... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doctor,

Is the ELISA 6 month test the gold standard? and is a -ve antibody test at 6 months conclusive? What is the likelyhood of a normal T-Cell ratio at 6 months after exposure? Please answer.

Regards,

Kevin
[quote] The viral load is a direct measure of how much virus is in your system. If it is undetectable for you, it means you're not infected... [/quote]

[Guest]

I thought that -ve was a typo. There is no -ve test. The gold standard is the viral load. That's why I suggested it to you. People can have normal tcells at 6 mos. GR
[quote] Doctor,

Is the ELISA 6 month test the gold standard. and is a -ve antibody test at 6 months conclusive... [/quote]