Expert: John Thai, M.D. - 6/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: Alright, this post may seem a bit out of the ordinary but I just am looking for opinons.

So heres the deal, i believe i have posted on here before but I can't remember what it was called/new problems have come up.

So the edited short story of my problem is for 5 months i thought i had HIV, i got tested: negative.
then i read somewhere the way i did the oraquick test was incorrect (swabbed it on my cheeks) so i went back to get another oraquick test: negative.

After that i cant seem to relax. I have these crazy beliefs that i was infected at the clinic. and that somehow i contracted AIDS from the oraquick testing device.
Latley ive been able to put it out of my mind but i have this huge sore on upper gum for about two days now... its killing me and i was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of people accidently getting infected with oraquick or how well done the companys procedures are.

thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Sami,

No. You cannot get HIV from Oraquick. It basically tests "dead" cells from the linings of your gum. These dead cells continuously shed without you knowing it. As far as the sore on the upper gum, most of the time, they are "stress ulcers" called aphthous ulcers. It should go away on its own within a few days. Any acidic fluids and foods, such as orange juice and spicy foods, will irritate the ulcer and not allow it to heal within a timely manner. Aphthous ulcers are NOT infectious nor are they sexually transmissible. However, you must refrain from performing any "oral sex" until the ulcer heals... as the ulcer allows any viruses and bacteria to penetrate into your system easier. Any linings of your skin and inside your mouth acts as a barrier/protection.

As far as your fears, I recommend that you speak to your physician regarding possibly talking over your fears with a counselor.

Regards,

John T, MD

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, thank you so much for responding so fast and addressing each fear of mine.
I just have one additional question, I was wondering what is inside the oraquick swab that I swabbed my gum with?
Is it just a swab or does it have some kind of absorbing chemicals in it as well?
Thank you

Answer
Oraquick is very different from Orasure... OraQuick is when a drop of blood is needed to obtain a result versus OraSure that uses oral fluids containing dead cells. The basic mechanism is that it has a chemical reagent inside the swab. It runs a quick and fast DNA ELIZA on the dead cells to determine if there's any immune system reaction. The reagent has not been shown to have any adverse effect on anyone. It only reacts to HIV antibioties present in the fluids...

Regards,

John T, MD