Dear Dr Wohl. I was afraid I contracted HIV in clinical setting, so I did an RNA test at 3 weeks, undetectable. At 8 weeks I did Roche under 20, monogram claimed they detected RNA under 20. I did an icma antibody with them the same week, undetected. Followed up with same Roche and antibody test after 95 days, non reactive and no RNA detected with same under 20 test. I saw an HIV specialist who told me that they probably read my RNA detected wrong on second test or I had a false positive since viral load was low and I had no antibodies. My symptoms were heavy hair loss, which stopped after I got my stress under control, cold sore, and stomach churning. Doctor told me it was stress. You states before that there's speculation clinical setting infections would take longer for antibodies to develop. Would a 3 month Roche undetected RNA under 20 and icma antibody test be enough proof that I'm not infected? I also did three rapid tests, all negative, within the three month window and last antibody at 95 days post exposure. All negative, but that one RNA detected under 20 is messing with me.

Your specialist is correct. If you do enough (read: excessive) testing you are risking a false positive. When people acquire HIV the viral load skyrockets. You do not get some low level virus level. You are not infected.

Also, I do not state that clinically acquired HIV takes longer to become detected. Transmission is basically transmission. The virus does not care if you are wearing a white coat.

DW