Important note: Information in this Q&A was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I was told about 2 weeks ago I have herpes and now still not feeling well. I went for a HIV test but don't know the anwser yet. Can you tell me if I could have both?
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Department of Internal Medicine
Assistant Chief, Hospitalist Division;
Kaiser Permanente of West Los Angeles
The only way to know if you have contracted HIV is to take the HIV antibody test, as you have done. It is possible to have both, as both are passed on by unprotected sex, and one can assume that some people do contract them at the same time.
However, many more people have herpes than have HIV, and thus having the former does not at all mean you have the latter. But your provider did the right thing in getting you tested for HIV.
Good luck, and remember to play safe!
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