Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal
Dermatology
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had a sexual exposure, oral unprotected and vaginal sex. I took the fourth generation test on the 16th day, 23rd day and 53rd day. All came back negative. At my 53rd day, my wife developed very swollen tender lymph nodes and I am worried the test were false negatives. Also, I read that Biotin can affect the testing. I was taking 300 mcg in a multivitamin. I also read it takes 5000 mcg or more to affect test results but I am still worried. I have read that 28 days and six weeks are considered conclusive for this test. Is that true? I have had extreme anxiety and could not live with myself if I infected my wife. Thank you very much for your help.
Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com.
Your 53rd day negative test can be taken as conclusive, as six weeks is a good period for the fourth generation ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Biotin does not affect test results. But, anxiety and HIV phobia after exposure are very common. Try not to research online much, as you will mentally disturb yourself with false information. Swollen lymph nodes in your wife could be due to some other reason or infection.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Have you read the studies on Biotin? I am sorry for the doubtful response. Her lymph nodes are painful and no other symptoms. I am just panicking silently.
Hello, Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, I have read the reports. These reports and warnings are still in the investigative stage and till date, no clear-cut guidelines are out regarding the definitive role of Biotin in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) testing. Moreover, as you said, the dose of Biotin you were taking is quite less than what is assumed to interfere with your test results. Thirdly, you have tested thrice and all of these are negative. These factors highly incline your case towards negative HIV status, and there is no need to worry. Your wife may need a physician's examination to determine any other cause of tender nodes.
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Dermatology
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