Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 6/17/2008

Question
I had risky exposure 3 n half week before, (Oral Sex). I have got some symptoms like white tongue, bowling feeling continously from 1 week or more in my stomach, fatigue some time (once in week), some white colour fungus on my hands like dry skin. I do smoke 20 cigrates a day coz of the tension. I did my HIV rapid test twice at nearest health Centre within  3 n half week after my risky behaviour/incident. latest one exactly 3 days later when i was having white tongue symptoms. bothe test gave me HIV - Negative result. Now I am concern about these symptoms, are these symptoms all about HIV + or some other diesase?
How often people get HIVpositive result though they have tested negative in first three weeks of exposure?

Thanks

Answer
You need to test 1-3 months after exposure for a definitive result. Testing at 3 weeks is testing within the window period where you could receive a false negative.

If you did in fact have HIV, you would NOT be experiencing HIV-related symptoms this quickly. It takes years for symptoms to develop.

You should have your symptoms checked out by a doctor.