Dear Doctor,

I had a PCR Qualitative DNA test done at 29 days after unprotected heterosexual intercourse with an unknown risk female partner. Although the test came back negative, I continue to show symptoms that I understand are indicative of HIV (swollen glands, muscle & joint aches, night sweats) Nevertheless, my doctor (an infectious disease specialist) has all but ruled out HIV.

Based on what I have read in your prior responses regarding the accuracy of this test, am I correct in assuming that I have less than a 1% chance of being HIV positive? (assuming the test was done correctly) Should I be retested? If so, when, and what test?

Finally, it appears that several other readers, like myself, have HIV-like symptoms yet have been definitively tested negative. Can these symptoms be psychologically and/or physiologically caused by acute stress and worry over the possibility of HIV infection?

Thank you so much for your insight!

A DNA PCR test is quite good for the diagnosis of HIV. It should be positive within several days to a couple of weeks after infection. Curious that serial antibody testing was not performed, or recommended.

MH