Question
Could I have HIV-2?
16 December 2007. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Hi there. I wondered if you can help me? I came into contact with HIV-2 in May 2005 and had an HIV antibody test for HIV-1 and HIV-2 in March 2006. Would this test show if I had caught HIV-2 (apologies if this is a silly question I’m just in a bit of a muddle after reading a confusing post on another website).
Look forward to hearing you response. Keep up the good work!
Answer
Hi, thanks for the question. It is not silly. It is only normal to worry.
Yes, the test would show whether you had HIV-2. To put yourself at peace, you may decide to go for a test now in 2007. It will be totally accurate.
Hi Simon – just to let you know the doctor refused to do a PCR (viral load) test even though they have tried every pain killer and antibiotics to try to cure my problem. I know you get lots of mail like this, but I am in my 40s and feel I know my own body by now. These horrible symptoms have been going on for 3 years ever since my encounter with a sex worker in South Africa. Please could you advise me as what to do next as they will do nothing and i cant afford to go privately. I know you are very busy but all this has happened since the encounter and has cost me everything. I really need some solid advice as to what my rights are, as my whole life is now in shreds. The GP has said to me he beleives its not psychosomatic , but and is probably something I contracted in SA but wont act any further? I would not bother you if i wasnt really worried, can you help thanks again for you time, David.
What is the difference between HIV-1 and HIV-2, and how will you know you have HIV-1 or 2.
Thanx
Hi simon, thanks for responding to my last question, i will get a pcr (viral load) test done, i hope this will prove 100% to me alls ok having been worried for so long, i only didnt have this done before as i i was led to believe it was only accurate for hiv1 status,
thanks once again, David.
Hi David
Having had several negative anitbody tests, this means you are HIV-negative.
I’ve not heard of people testing repeatedly negative but actually being infected. If you doctor want to check this, then a negative PCR (viral load) test would confirm it.
You need to contact a doctor about your symptoms. This site only follows HIV-related research and I’m not able to comment on whatever else is causing your symptoms.
Hi i could really appreiatiate some help. I possibly came into contact with HIV-2 in March 2005 when I was in South Africa. I have been tested for HIV antibodies several times, the last being 30 months after the exposure and was negative.
I know I must accept this, but since the encounter i have the following symptoms: constant mucous, cold, testicular pain, which the doctor has told me is coming from the epidimus and has affected the prostate gland (very itchy), loose stools, glands sensitive, groin pains early on, and terrible sweats at night. I feel something is terribly wrong as i am so hot all the time.
Could this be something else, or is it possible for me of not to have developed antibodies to HIV (please note that i have taken stong antibiotics and many pain killers for this but they have had no affect).
Could you please give me some advise as this has totally put me to put me to confusion as aidsmap say it is possible to not develop antibodies at all, although very rare.
You do not need another test.
If you had caught HIV – either HIV-1 or HIV-2 – then the test 11 months after you had sex was accurate.
This is long enough and because you didn’t have sex again until your current partner this means you do not have HIV and can stop worrying.
Sorry I am not sure if I made it clear in any of my posts that the HIV antibody test I had was an HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody test.
I am so sorry I suffer from anxiety (which I am seeking medical help for) and I quite often get confused (as I am sure you can see from my previous posts!!)
Question 1: Is my test in March 2006 conclusive?
Question 2: Can I catagorically say I have neither HIV-1 nor HIV-2?
Please note I have had absolutely no risky behaviour since May 2005 and I am now in a steady relationship, my partner being of confirmed HIV- negative status.
I would really really appreciate an answer to these two questions, I hope I have not angered you in anyway, I realise there are many other people out there who need your help and I am very grateful for all that you have done for me so far.
Warm wishes x
You COULD have another test if you wanted to for your own peace of mind. This does not mean that it is compulsory. We generally advise everybody who has a sexual life to get tested every 6 months.
Terribly sorry I know how busy you guys are and I really appreciate you replying to my first post, but could you tell me:
Do I HAVE to go for another test or is it the case that I COULD have another test if I wanted to for my own peace of mind?
Again I look forward to your response.