Hello Doctor,
I recently came across an article that mentioned "taking antidepressants SSRIs significantly slows down viral replication and downregulates the RT response to latently infected T-cell lines and macrophages." I had sexual exposure on December 18, 2022, and during the entire HIV window period (90 days), I was taking SSRIs.
I have two questions based on this:
1. Given the findings in the article about SSRIs affecting viral replication and the RT response, do you think these medications could suppress antibody production or delay the HIV window period? I took three 3rd-generation antibody tests at 3 months, 4 months, and 5 months, all of which were negative. However, a 4th-generation test is not available in my area.
2. Are my current tests enough to rule out any HIV concerns, or should I seek a 4th-generation test?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
1. The article you came across suggests that SSRIs may have an impact on viral replication and immune responses, but it's not conclusive whether they specifically delay the production of HIV antibodies or extend the window period. There have been no well-conducted studies that prove SSRIs have a direct effect on the HIV virus in this context. So, there's no need to worry about this, as these are speculative assumptions, and SSRIs should not interfere with the effectiveness of your HIV tests.
2. Your negative results at 3, 4, and 5 months are very reassuring and indicate that you do not have HIV. However, if you're seeking additional confirmation, a 4th-generation HIV test would provide more comprehensive results. That said, based on your current test results, there is no indication of an HIV infection. If you still want to be absolutely certain, you could consider an HIV RNA PCR test, but this is more expensive and generally not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
Thanks
Ask Multiple Doctors Online for Just $5!
Ask Now