Hello doctor Bob. First of all I have to congratulate you for your wonderful work. I've written several times during this four months. I know you're very busy but I'm really worried. I had unprotected sex with a boy of unknown status three months ago, vaginal, anal and oral sex. I still can't understad how I could do that, I've never had sex without condom before neither with stable mates. Three or four weeks later I had a cough that lasted a month, after that I continued with sore throat with a light phlegm till today. I've tested negative after 12 weeks with an ELISA and 16 weeks with a rapid test. Should you recommend me to retest at the six month mark? Thank you very much. I've already donated to your foundation because I get very impressed with your job.

Hi,

Your negative HIV tests out to 16 weeks are definitive and conclusive. HIV is not your problem. No way. No how. A negative FDA-approved HIV-antibody test performed outside of the window period (defined as the first three months following primary infection) trumps "symptoms" each and every time. I can't diagnose the exact cause of your symptoms over the Internet, but what I can do is advise you what's not causing them: It's not HIV! See your general medical doctor for an evaluation for any bothersome or persistent symptoms. Just remember, HIV is not your problem, OK?

Thanks for your donations to the Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation (www.concertedeffort.org). They are warmly appreciated and urgently needed.

Be well. Stay well. And don't ever put yourself at such risk again, OK? I'm confident you won't!

Dr. Bob