I am a 21 year old female. My boyfriend and I recently seperated for about a month. After we got back together I found out that he had sex with another girl (only twice). About three weeks after we got back together I started breaking out in hives. So of course I was worried and decided to get tested for STD’s. My hiv test was negative after about 30 days from exposure(approx.). But my herpes test was positive although the test was not specific for herpes 1 or 2. All other test were negative. My doctor also test me for shingles. My varc. zoster levels were elevated but I never broke out in shingles. The hives continued for almost 2 months so I returned to my doctor for another hiv test just because I was worried. The test was neg. My doctor says that he seriously doubts the hives are related to a hiv infection. I was also tested for lupus and vasculitis(all neg) but I don’t think he tested my thyroid levels. I do not know this female that my boyfriend had sex with, nor did he. I know that she has a daughter that is a year old and she told me she was tested when she was pregnant and all her test were neg except for clamydia. When my doctor did my pelvic exam all my test were neg but he did say that I had bacterial vaginosis which I have never had before. I was given valtrex for the herpes infection and was on a pack of steroids for the hives. I had also been taking antibiotics previously due to a root canal. But my doctor does not think I had an allergic reaction to meds due to the fact that my hives lasted for so long. Anyway, my question is… Would the herpes infection increase the time my body would take to make HIV antibodies that would show pos. in a test. And what about the shingles? Should I be worried? Could the hives be related to an hiv infection? And finally, would any of the medications I was taking affect hiv antibody production?

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Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

It does not sound like a primary HIV infection to me. An HIV test at 30 days is reasonably reliable, but it is worth repeating it at 6 months. Not sure if you had a herpes infection or just elevated herpes antibodies (most of us have elevated herpes antibodies). Has your boyfriend been tested for HIV? My guess is you don’t have a primary HIV infection, however I can’t say this with 100% certainty. Since you are so worried about it, it’s worth having the test again at 6 months. If you test negative at 6 months, it’s time to stop worrying about it.?