Q and A

Question

I have three negative HIV tests, do I have HIV?

15 December 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.

I had unprotected vaginal sex Aug 2010. About 8 weeks after the incident I developed oral thrush which I still have now 18 weeks after the incident. After 15 weeks I got the worst flu of my life, diarrhoea, headaches, sore throat, fever of 103 for the better part of a whole week. I have had three different treatments for the oral thrush and none of them have worked. I have tested negative for HIV with a rapid test at 12 weeks, an ELISA at 15 weeks and another rapid test at 16.5 weeks but given my continued oral thrush and the ‘flu’ that I had for a week where I could not even get out of bed is it possible that my tests were inaccurate and that I am taking longer to sero-convert?

I am positive that I have HIV but for some reason the antibodies are not showing yet, please advise as I am terrified and not sure what to do, thanks.

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

If you have had three negative HIV tests then you do not have HIV. It is possible you have just had a bad case of the flu but you need to see your GP about this for them to investigate what is causing these symptoms other than HIV.

2 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    I’m sorry but i-Base no longer answers individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing because the online information covers these questions.

    Information online
    Most testing questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
    http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing

    Our guide to HIV Testing and risks of sexual transmission guide has more detailed and easy to read information about these topics. It can be read online at this link:
    http://i-base.info/guides/testing

  2. David •

    I am in a similar situation, only that my “risk” was more theoretical (unprotected oral sex followed by protected intercourse). I have had the following tests:

    HIV Ab/Ag — 5 weeks, 9 weeks and 4 months 1 week after the incident — Negative

    I have developed oral thrush (around 4 months post incident). The thrush has been confirmed by a swab test. I am very scared and thinking that I might be one of those rare cases of Seronegative HIV infection:

    http://journals.lww.com/aidsonline/Fulltext/2010/06190/Seronegative_HIV_1_infection__a_review_of_the.2.aspx

    Please advice whether or not I should do another more specific tests (PCR or CD4 count)

    Thank you!