Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Dear Dr.: Please be so kind to answer my question.
I had unprotected sex, vaginal intercourse, with a female sex worker in
the U.S.A. almost 18 years ago in December, 1985. After that, I
had two different Elisa tests done in two different labs, 2 and
3 years later in 1988 and 1989, and both were negative.
After being together for two years, my wife also had done two tests around the same time, and both were negative. We have one 14 year old, healthy son. Other than that, we did not have any exposures to this moment. I was not so worried, until recently I have learned that Elisa tests to HIV-1 made with virus type B at that time were not so sensitive to other subtypes (non-B) , and it came to my mind, perhaps it could not show on those tests at that time, if contracted another subtype of the virus.
It has been almost 18 years from that incident, and I am perfectly healthy, but worried a lot now. I am specifically concerned with subtype "A" of HIV-1 virus which according to some studies may have quite longer incubation time to visible symptoms than other subtypes (and according to other studies again (majority of them), progression rate is about the same among subtypes in group M of HIV-1.
Please hear my dramatic call, and help me to evaluate my case, so I can move on with my life, and stop ruinning the life of my wife and my child as well.
Perhaps, I am not clear on everything. Do I need re-testing after 18 years from that contact and being in good health, and two different Elisa tests done in 1988 and 1989 (both negative), even considering subtype "A" or other subtypes? Or, if I do need, or decide to test again, even that I am so afraid to do it or even so scared of possible false positive diagnosis, are current tests for HIV-1 Elisa very accurate to detect other subtypes of HIV-1 group M including subtype "A"? Please help me clear my mind ! How much should I be concerned? I trust my questions will receive your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
If you were tested 18 years ago for HIV, are healthy now, had negative tests back then, and your whole family is well, the chances of you having HIV infection are as close to zero as medical science allows.
Even if the test used was only good for clade B virus, that was overwhelmingly the predominant virus in the US in the 80s, and remains so to this day.
Still, it sounds as if you are losing sleep. I think that having a repeat test might let you get some rest in a way that words can't.
Best of luck!
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