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Are HIV Antibody And P24 Antigen Tests Done After 2 Weeks Conclusive?
Question: Hi,
I had a contact with a girl who is probably a sex worker. This was completely random and I did not see her ever after. It was oral and I was receiver but I was also touching her. Not sure did I have any lesions on my fingers. Definitely not the ones that have been bleeding.
On the day 12 after exposure I did MPX HIV 1/2 HBV HCV PCR test. I also did HIV 1 / 2 Abs / P24 Ag screen. It all came negative. However on the same day when I did test I started to feel some kind of tingling feeling in my mouth. My tongue is white coated and I can see some red dots as well. Sometimes it is better sometimes worse. It is sometimes a feeling like I burnt my tongue on a hot soup. I am also sweating during the night and I noticed that much before I took a test. I am now really worried and anxious. Can I consider results of my tests final? Would I have these symptoms at this timing while tests would not be able to detect that I contracted HIV?
I had a contact with a girl who is probably a sex worker. This was completely random and I did not see her ever after. It was oral and I was receiver but I was also touching her. Not sure did I have any lesions on my fingers. Definitely not the ones that have been bleeding.
On the day 12 after exposure I did MPX HIV 1/2 HBV HCV PCR test. I also did HIV 1 / 2 Abs / P24 Ag screen. It all came negative. However on the same day when I did test I started to feel some kind of tingling feeling in my mouth. My tongue is white coated and I can see some red dots as well. Sometimes it is better sometimes worse. It is sometimes a feeling like I burnt my tongue on a hot soup. I am also sweating during the night and I noticed that much before I took a test. I am now really worried and anxious. Can I consider results of my tests final? Would I have these symptoms at this timing while tests would not be able to detect that I contracted HIV?
Brief Answer:
PCR for HIV is fine. You may redo a 4th generation screening test at 2 week
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar, dermatologist and venereologist.
I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Receptive oral sex is never a risk for HBV or HCV so you can rule that out.
HIV too has a negligible risk of transmission through oral sex.
HIV RNA PCR test has a short window period of 9-13 days therefore a PCR test done at 12 days is fine and reliable. Whereas P24 antigen becomes detectable in serum at about 2 weeks so I would say that doing a P24 Ag and Anti HIV Antibody test was a bit sooner at 12 days.
White coated tongue can be due to improper hygiene or oral candidiasis. I suggest you to do a betadine mouth washes, 2x or 3x daily after meals.
A 4th generation P24 Ag and anti HIV antibody test is conclusive at 2 weeks and beyond so may want to take it again to be doubly sure.
If these symptoms were due to acute retroviral syndrome then PCR would have detected the virus so I assume that you are fine.
Your symptoms like night sweats could be part of anxiety.
Regards
PCR for HIV is fine. You may redo a 4th generation screening test at 2 week
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar, dermatologist and venereologist.
I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Receptive oral sex is never a risk for HBV or HCV so you can rule that out.
HIV too has a negligible risk of transmission through oral sex.
HIV RNA PCR test has a short window period of 9-13 days therefore a PCR test done at 12 days is fine and reliable. Whereas P24 antigen becomes detectable in serum at about 2 weeks so I would say that doing a P24 Ag and Anti HIV Antibody test was a bit sooner at 12 days.
White coated tongue can be due to improper hygiene or oral candidiasis. I suggest you to do a betadine mouth washes, 2x or 3x daily after meals.
A 4th generation P24 Ag and anti HIV antibody test is conclusive at 2 weeks and beyond so may want to take it again to be doubly sure.
If these symptoms were due to acute retroviral syndrome then PCR would have detected the virus so I assume that you are fine.
Your symptoms like night sweats could be part of anxiety.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is how my tongue looks at the moment. I was having some menthol candy recently so thats why is little bit green. But white coating is visible and also red dots on the down side. There is one crack in the middle and few on the sides. I dont remember how it looked on the day when I did test but I had really sharp tingling feeling few hours before testing when I was on a plane. This is when I noticed it first time. What do you think what this could be? Re sweating - it doesnt happen every night but maybe every other. Can you please let me know from pictures what is the problem with my tongue and is it related to the risk I am worried about?
Many thank
Many thank
Brief Answer:
Use a mouthwash
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you.
I have reviewed the Images.
This whitish coating on tongue is not a serious thing. It is just an overgrowth of fungus and trapping of dead cells. You may use a mouthwash, thrice daily.
As I said risk of Hiv is negligible but a re-test with 4th generation screening test at 2 weeks would be conclusive. This is the standard test for screening.
PCR test is already negative so that is a good thing even though it is not a recommended screenig test. Anyways PCR test has a high sensitivity and specificity and is reliable.
Regards
Use a mouthwash
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you.
I have reviewed the Images.
This whitish coating on tongue is not a serious thing. It is just an overgrowth of fungus and trapping of dead cells. You may use a mouthwash, thrice daily.
As I said risk of Hiv is negligible but a re-test with 4th generation screening test at 2 weeks would be conclusive. This is the standard test for screening.
PCR test is already negative so that is a good thing even though it is not a recommended screenig test. Anyways PCR test has a high sensitivity and specificity and is reliable.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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