Question
Will the test detect my possible sub-type?
6 August 2008. Related: All topics, HIV testing.
I had 1 x unprotected exposure with a woman who I paid to have sex with me in Thailand on 26th May, then 4 x unprotected exposures with another Thai sex worker between 28th May and 4th June.
When I returned (Thursday 5th June) I had NSU and got given 2 x antibiotic pills to take in one sitting.
On Saturday 7th June I awoke with a big swollen red rash down the side of my nose which had an insect bite in the middle.
A week later I was playing football and received 2 x insect bites on the leg. I awoke the next day with my whole calf swollen. It swelled up so much I developed pain and bruising.
I then started to develop pins and needles all over my body which then developed into a burning sensation in my feet.
This lasted a couple of weeks. In the meantime I also got night sweats, lost my appetite and bread started to taste of cardboard .
I also had neurological headaches and my tongue felt metallic.
Since then the neuropathy has changed from pins and needles / burning into sharp pains in my hands and feet.
I have had a number of tests which have all come back negative but I fear that these tests will be looking primarily for subtype B, not subtype AE, which is what I may have caught in Thailand.
The tests I have had so far are:
HIV / P24 Antigen Duo test at 3-4 weeks since exposure (private London)
Viral load PCR test at 4-5 weeks since exposure (private London)
HIV Antibody test 6 weeks after last exposure (NHS)
HIV Viral load test 6 weeks after exposure (NHS)
HIV P24 Antigen Duo test 8 weeks after exposure (private London clinic)
All of these tests have come back negative but I have read that they might not be sensitive enough to detect subtype E.
Also, with my symptoms being so pronounced and in the HIV symptom timeline I don’t feel confident.
I’m still experiencing neuropathic pain in my hands and feet although the other symptoms have gone now.
If you could let me know what the latest thinking is on UK viral load tests for subtype AE that would great.
Answer
Tests are pefectly fine with any sub-type. If they say that you are HIV-negative, then you are HIV-negative.
May I suggest, however, that you see a councellor or a clinical psychologist, as paranoia may have a very detiriorating effect on your quality of life.