Are Mouth Ulcers And Cold Signs Of HIV?

Posted on Tue, 26 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 Answered on

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had protected vaginal exposure with a high risk woman . The encounter lasted two minutes. I had an rna pcr test at 11 days which the lab claims is 96 percent accurate : I also had combo tests done at 26 and 47 days which came back negative . I also had an antibody test at 60 days which came back naegative . I am very worried because I just caught a cold and have a large mouth ulcer. Do hiv symptoms occur at 8 weeks or later? Do I need retesting at 3 months? A lot of clinics say 6 week combo is conclusive but the USA Cdc says 3 months . Why is this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please don't worry. You are free of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing in healthcare magic.

Based on your history, you shouldn't worry because having a protected vaginal exposure the risk to get HIV is zero.
Furthermore, all your above mentioned symptoms symptoms are not related to HIV but it is just a viral situation.

According the guidelines the person should do a 4 th generation HIV test 3 months after a risky exposure as a conclusive test.
So, all your negative test results are very accurate and there is not necessary to get other HIV test after 3 months because you have protected vaginal exposure (that is not a risky exposure).
I emphasize that you are definitely free of HIV.

I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (34 minutes later)

Thank you for your response . M symptoms don't concern you? A lot of websites say that hiv symptoms can occur late . Also, why is there so much confusion with the guidelines in different countries if it's the same test ? For example , the USA Cdc says a combo test is 95 percent accurate at 4 weeks because 95 percent of people will develop antibodies by then but 5 percent won't . Is it possible for someone to develop antibodies after 8 weeks of testing negative ? Are the XXXXXXX guidelines just very conservative and someone who tests negative earlier is really hiv free. Also , perhaps my stress is causing these symptoms? And the large kanker sore doesn't worry you? Thanks for your time

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please don't worry. You are free of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are welcome.

I emphasize again that your symptoms are not related to HIV because the risk to get HIV is zero after a protected sexual intercourse.
According the guidelines ,we should do a 4th generation HIV test after 3 months of an unprotected sexual intercourse or risky exposure as a conclusive test because of this 5% that cannot develop antibodies so fast.
I am not worry about your mouth ulcer because this may appear even in other viral situation not related to HIV.

I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana