I am having nasal congestion, itchy throat, and cold around a month, should I get re-tested for HIV?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had exposure from the massage parlor last week. I got a handjob from the lady. This is the only exposure I have. I have taken the following test, and all the results were negative. I have given the details below: At four weeks: HIV ELISA antibody = negative VDRL(Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) = negative Hep B and C antibody = negative. At 12 weeks: HIV ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) antibody = negative. VDRL = negative Hep B and C antibody = negative. At 16th month: HIV CLIA antibody = negative. VDRL = negative Hep B and C antibody = negative. At 17th month: HIV CMIA (Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay) combo antibody + p24 = negative. Now I am having nasal congestion, cold, throat itching, and sneezing for around one month. I had taken two times medicine for allergy after consultation, but it is not curing. I am very much worried and tensed. In my case, for conclusive results and to rule out HIV, should I take PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) RNA(Ribonucleic Acid)?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through the message, and saw many tests done. All tests conclusive accuracy is 99.6-.99.9%. If you are complaining sneeze congestion, throat congestion then they are recurrent in this season, or it may be strep throat. To rule out HIV, you need to go for a Western blot test, which gives you 100% accuracy. But you do not have HIV. Allergic rhinitis is most common. I would suggest you to take, Taxim O (Cefixime) 200 - two times a day after food for five days. Signoflam (Aceclofenac,Paracetamol and Serratiopeptidase) - three times a day after food for five days. Montek LC (Montelukast and Levocetrizine) one tablet at night for five days or more. Otrivin C (Xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1%) nasal spray locally two times or as required for nasal congestion. You will be fine. Yet if it is still there, use Otrivin C nasal spray locally and Montek LC. They are not harmful.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes Otrivin C nasal spray can be used. Internet capture does not give you any solution. So my request is not to search on internet all day long for the solution. People get so depressed and finally are handled by the psychiatrist. It is the real fact.