HIV/AIDS

[Guest]

Hi dr.

If you remember my tests they were negative PCR DNA, ELISA, Western Blot and P24 Antigen out to 8 months post exposure. I'm seeing a therapist at the moment for the anxiety this whole ardeal caused me. But on saying that I called an ID doctor about this and he told me that if it were him he would test at 1 year? Dr is there any reason in the world to test at 1 year. Do you see my situation....one Dr. says no your fine and you need to treat your anxiety and the other Dr. that (ID DR) I asked said to test to 1 year. Dr even if I was a rare case where I was taking too long to produce the antibodies would the PCR DNA test be positive anyway....how accurate is that test...is it possible to be infected and have a negative PCR DNA and ELISA at 8 months post exposure!? Has it ever happened!?

Kind Regards,

Kevin

[Guest]

I have heard of no cases of a person being positive at 8 months post exposure and having pcr, dna, elisa, wb, and p24 negative. I can't tell you why he suggested that, but I can see why it makes you anxious. The dna and pcr tests are good to about 1/1,000.000 false negatives. The chance of two of those being falsely negative is about 1/1,000,000,000,000. Most false negatives in those tests are also in the first 7 days of infection, not at 8 months. If an AIDS expert EXAMINED you and took a history, and still recommended a re-test, I 'd do it. GR
[quote] Hi dr.

If you remember my tests they were negative PCR DNA, ELISA, Western Blot and P24 Antigen out to 8 months post exposure... [/quote]

[Guest]

Hi DR,

Thanks for the response. The Dr that did the tests for me at 8 months is in a practice that deals exclusively with HIV. I also got a second opinion from a Immunologist/HIV specialist at the city hospital who says that he thinks all is OK. However when all of this was going on I called an ID physican who said that if it were him he would test out to 1 year. So this is why I am still worried!? Just mixed information....it leaves you doubting your results and your sanity. The Dr that told me about testing to 1 year never met, this is just the info he gave me over the phone. There's nothing unusual about my health.....normally very healthy and no allergies etc. Anyway, can I trust my results!? Do you think that the other Dr is probably just covering his ass!? I have had such a hardtime over this Dr and you have been very patient with me. At this stage I'd at least like to know that if i was still positive after all those tests that I'd make the medical litrature!? I had read all that stuff about people taking longer than 6 months to produce antibodies etc and it spooked me!?

Anyway if you could help me out again I'd appreciate....your very kind...although your probably pulling your hair out at the moment trying to convince me.

Kind Regards,

Kevin


[quote] I have heard of no cases of a person being positive at 8 months post exposure and having pcr, dna, elisa, wb, and p24 negative. I can't tell you why he suggested that, but I can see why it makes you anxious... [/quote]

[Guest]

Yes, and my hair's getting thinner as I get older! Anyway, yes, you'd make the books. The examples of people turning positve after 6 or 9 months are old, before we did pcr/dna testing and before the elisa was as good as it is.
time to move on. GR
[quote] Hi DR,

Thanks for the response. The Dr that did the tests for me at 8 months is in a practice that deals exclusively with HIV... [/quote]