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Question
i had my last risky sexual encounter about 3.5 months earlier on 10th dec 2008. after that i was in a steady relationship with my girlfriend. my problem is that 2.5 months after the "risky " episode i had tender & painful genital ulcers. the ulcers did not respond to medications. so on march 10th 2009[3 months after the episode] i went for HIV tridot test which turned out to be negative. 3 weeks after my ulcers persisted & i had mild myalgia & arthralgia for 3 days i went for combined P24 antigen & HIV antibody test which turned out to be negative. a doctor friend of mine told me to relax & that i do not have HIV since i got negative test at 3 months & that if the ulcers & general body aches were due to acute HIv illness i would be testing positive at least on P24.
i wanna ask how accurate is combined P24 & HIV antibody test 3 months after the exposure?
Karan -
Peace. The chances of the testing being negative 3 months out is slim to none. Biggest problem is false positives, not false negatives. Meaning something makes test reactive besides HIV, but they are pretty good at catching all HIV. So listen to your doctor.
Best to you and yours,
Terry
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Terry B
Expertise
Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice
Experience
Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.
Organizations
Disabled American Veterans
American Public Health Association
MENSA
AA
Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society
Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa
"HIV and Primary Care"
Education/Credentials
BS Psychology
MPH Master of Public Health
PhD studies underway
Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction
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