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take another HIV test or should I calm down?

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User Profile
October 10th, 2011
Hello Doctor,

I'm a male and had a protected sex with a woman of unknown sexual status in 2007. 1 year after this incident I had an HIV antibody
test and it was negative.

However, in 2010 january I began to develop a Sinusitis problem. I had headache around the sinus area, sneezing and pain around the head. Additionally I developed a productive cough which didn't improve after taking cough syrup. I took antibiotics for sinusitis and cough and my health condition slightly improved (mild sinuitis and cough is still there for more than a year now).

However, 2 weeks ago my cough became worse and it has been like that for 2 weeks now. I did not go to see a doctor yet.I am working in a place where the AC is turned on, so i believe my condition won't improve till i change my working location.

However I'm beginning to get scared as I never had sinus and cough problem like this before. Do you think I should take another
HIV test or should I calm down and see a doctor ?

thanks


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User Profile
replied October 17th, 2011
HIV and AIDS Answer A27769
Hello and welcome to e health forum. ‎ ‎

The ‘window period’ is a term used to describe the period of time between HIV infection and the ‎production of ‎antibodies.‎ Once a virus, is detected by the immune cells of the body, antibody synthesis is initiated and it persists ‎‎‎as long as the virus is active in the body. ‎

‎‎97% of normal individuals with a good immune system, produce antibodies within 4-12 weeks and the ‎‎remaining ‎‎(3%) might produce the antibodies, around or after 6 months. ‎

It is extremely rare for a person to take any longer than 6 months to develop detectable antibodies.‎

In case you were infected in reality, then the antibodies would be in higher titres and you would have ‎had severe ‎manifestations of HIV infection by now. ‎

Your HIV test done after 1 year after exposure is conclusive and indicate that you do not have HIV.‎

With regard to your symptoms , they are most likely due to allergy related causes and not due to HIV.

You might consult with your doctor who can examine you and provide proper treatment of your condition.



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