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Suggest Treatment For Red Pimples On Forearms And Chest Post An Unprotected Intercourse

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Posted on Fri, 6 Jan 2017
Twitter Fri, 6 Jan 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 27 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on
Question : I had unprotected sex about 3 years ago and I'm worried about hiv. I have white and red bumps on both forearms, triceps and chest that won't go away and every few days I have dierreah. I toke the at home oraquick hiv mouth swab test about 2 1/2 years after my risk encounter, I toke the same test 2 months later and then again 1 month after that, all test came up negative. My question is can I rely on my results?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Your results should be reliable given that you repeated it, but I recommend going in to have a blood test just to put the question entirely out of your mind.

OraQuick is 91.7% accurate at identifying HIV-positive test results. Oraquick is not as accurate as blood-based testing in a lab, which has been shown to be 99.7% accurate at identifying positive test results.

False-negative results – when the test comes back negative but a person is actually HIV positive – can occur with OraQuick if unprotected sex happened within the three-month window period (as also is the case with the standard blood HIV antibody test). False-negative results can also happen if the test is incorrectly read and if the test instructions are not followed carefully and the user does not swab the gum line.

So overall, it is pretty accurate, especially if repeated, but worthwhile to get a blood test done by a lab. At the same time, get a complete blood count with manual differential done to see how your white blood count is.

The diarrhea may be from food intolerances or an ongoing infection.

I am not sure what to make of the bumps, but if it has been happening for a long time, it's time to see a dermatologist.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Red Pimples On Forearms And Chest Post An Unprotected Intercourse

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, Your results should be reliable given that you repeated it, but I recommend going in to have a blood test just to put the question entirely out of your mind. OraQuick is 91.7% accurate at identifying HIV-positive test results. Oraquick is not as accurate as blood-based testing in a lab, which has been shown to be 99.7% accurate at identifying positive test results. False-negative results – when the test comes back negative but a person is actually HIV positive – can occur with OraQuick if unprotected sex happened within the three-month window period (as also is the case with the standard blood HIV antibody test). False-negative results can also happen if the test is incorrectly read and if the test instructions are not followed carefully and the user does not swab the gum line. So overall, it is pretty accurate, especially if repeated, but worthwhile to get a blood test done by a lab. At the same time, get a complete blood count with manual differential done to see how your white blood count is. The diarrhea may be from food intolerances or an ongoing infection. I am not sure what to make of the bumps, but if it has been happening for a long time, it's time to see a dermatologist. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.