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To PCR or not to PCR Jun 29, 1999 Thank you in advance for answering my questions. The background information to them follows. On January 19th I had sex with a $400/hour escort in NYC. She was from South America. I used a condom but it came off as I pulled out - don't think my penis came into contact with any of her fluids, but not 100% sure. Also, I fingered her a couple of different times during the session - don't think I had any cuts on my hands, but again not 100% sure. On March 17th I received a hand job from another escort ($200/hour). She fingered herself before giving me a hand job using body lotion as a lubricant. Those were my only 2 potential exposures in the last 7 years. After getting a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck in late April, I panicked and started some intense worrrying. I took a Home Access test on April 30th, and 3rd generation ELISA HIV-1 tests through Specialized Testing at SmithKline Beecham labs on May 7th, May 13th, and June 14th. Luckily, all have been negative. Specialized Testing insists that a negative elisa test at 12 weeks is 99.99% conclusive. I have genital herpes but was not having an outbreak in either episode. Also, through my intense worrying, I developed a case of the shingles in early June. I was on Valtrex for a week and am now using a steriod cream for the rashes. My questions are: (1) Have I tested enough - since my last test was 21 weeks since potential exposure in January and 12.5 weeks from potential exposure in March? (2) If no to #1, would a PCR DNA give me the peace of mind I am looking for? I don't think I can handle waiting another 10 weeks or so. (3) Was the potential exposure in March so low risk that I don't need to be worried about it? Have you ever heard of someone contracting hiv through a hand job only? (4) Does shingles affect your body's ability to produce antibodies in response to the hiv virus. (5) Should I get tested for hiv-2? Thanks again for your time and efforts. They are very much appreciated. |
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| Response from Dr. Holodniy
 1). You have probaby tested enough. But you know the 6month caveat. 2). It's your money. 3). Wouldn't worry about it. No. 4). Not entirely known, but I doubt it. 5). Are you sure they did not test for HIV-2 on your antiboy screen? MH | ||
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