HIV & Autoimmune Disorders
I have had a negative HIV test at almost 4 months post exposure. I had unprotected vaginal sex with a person of unknown status. I live in Australia.
However, I have been under surveillance for an underlying autoimmune disorder affecting my Thyroid (either Grave's or Hashimoto's)
On one of your answer pages you say that Grave's disease can slow down the production of HIV antibodies: http://www.aidsvancouver.org/what-we-do/helpline/online/hiv-testingrapid...
However, on other pages you say that autoimmune diseases have no effect on test results.
www.aidsvancouver.org/what-we-do/helpline/online/autoimmune-diseases &
www.aidsvancouver.org/what-we-do/helpline/online/autoimmune-diseases-0
I have found this rather confusing and have been under a lot of anxiety. It took a lot of courage just to work up to get that one test! And now I'm thinking the test at 3 months may not have been accurate...
Does an autoimmune disease really effect results?
Do I need another test, or was my one test at 4 months conclusive?
Hi there,
Thank you for using the AIDS Vancouver Helpline as your source of AIDS/HIV related information. I hope that I can clarify your questions regarding auto-immune disorders and HIV testing.
Graves disease does not affect the window period of the HIV test. Given that your results came back negative (and not indeterminate) and you are only under surveillance for an auto-immune disease I think that you can be confident in your results at 4 months post exposure.
Immunodeficiency; however, is different from an auto-immune disorder. Immunodeficiency may cause a delay in the production of antibodies which are used to detect HIV. This situation is still very rare and it is only a precaution that a person re-test at 6 months, just to be completely sure, given the person's severely reduced (deficienct) immune system.
I apologize for the confusion in previous responses. The volunteer responding at the time confused the terms "auto immune disorder" and "immunodefinicncy," which you can see is differentiated in the second link you provided. If you check the first link you provided, you can see that it has now been updated to reflect the current information.
Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you have any additional questions.
Cheers,
Cameron
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
E-mail: helpline@aidsvancouver.org
Phone (Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666
Web: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline
Disclaimer
The AIDS Vancouver Helpline is a volunteer-driven information, referral and support service related to HIV and sexual health. Volunteers are trained in active listening, HIV and sexual health information, and local resources and services. Volunteers are not doctors, nurses, or other licensed professionals. Volunteers do not give advice, and strive to provide service-users with adequate information and appropriate referrals.
Helpline volunteers uphold the agency’s confidentiality and privacy policies. Your calls, forum posts, and emails are anonymous. We welcome you to use a pseudonym or “fake name” when using Helpline services. We will not ask for or track your personal information. To ensure that the Helpline program is providing quality services, the Helpline Coordinator regularly monitors online content (forum posts and emails) and supervises volunteers who are receiving calls.
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Comments
Autoimmune and HIV
I have heard that an Autoimune disorder like sarcoidosis can make it very unlikely that you can contract HIV. Is that true?
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