HIV Prevention :: Negative 4th Gen Duo Test At Just Under 6 Weeks

Well my situation is I had an exposure back in mid May, and I was tested with 4th generation blood lab test at just a day or two under 6 weeks, which came back negative.

I don't recall having any flu like symptoms such as sore throat, night sweats, or diarrhea, but I did have some dizziness when I moved my head up and down, and I had some fatigue, as well as a slightly runny nose at times, and I had some slight body soreness, but none of this was super strong and I did not miss any days of work or anything. I also had no appetite for a few weeks and lost about 5 pounds or so (I work out frequently). But honestly I could attribute the lack of appetite and subsequent weight loss to extreme anxiety, and also not going to the gym as often out of slight depression/fatigue/anxiety. I also had what I thought to be rashes (basically reddish areas on my cheeks, forehead and shoulders, but no bumps or anything), to which my doctor on the day of my test said were 'unimpressive' (meaning not resembling hiv rashes), and what I thought were swollen and sore lymph nodes, my doctor also checked and said he noticed no swelling, even though I thought they were. He also was very clear to tell me that one could not diagnose hiv through symptoms, but only a blood test. He also made it clear that if the results from this first test come back negative that I couldn't celebrate, as it can take up to three months for someone to show positive (full disclosure, he is a GP, and I don't think had much experience in hiv, and I also do not know how well versed he is in 4th gen testing parameters).

So as mentioned, had a 4th generation duo lab test after leaving my doctor (went to quest diagnostics) which was at just under 6 weeks, which came back negative. (I will tell you I was extremely surprised when I got called a couple days later and was informed the results were negative. I would've bet money at that point that I was going to hear 'positive', and even though I remembered being told not to celebrate, I felt so so happy and relieved. I even regained my appetite at this point, and felt better in general, started going back to the gym more regularly, etc, so I know anxiety is playing at least a part in the way I was feeling).

Then about a week later I got in the mail the script from my doctor for my follow up blood test, with instructions to go back for the follow up mid-late August.. which even though I was already aware of, just thinking about having to get tested again brought all my anxiety back.

I'm trying to really believe in those (just under) 6 week duo negative results before I go for my next test, but my anxiety has basically not allowed me to relax or accept those results being at least a strong indicator. I even called the Pennsylvania state hiv hotline a few weeks ago, and they said a 4th gen test at the point when I took it was MORE than ample time for the antigens/antibodies to form to a detectable level, that the 4th gen test is the best test available in the world, and at that by 5.5 - 6 weeks that was more than enough time for the 4th gen test to provide a correct, conclusive result. She basically told me over the phone that my test result was conclusive and my symptoms don't matter.

I felt a little more confident then, But what worried me some was at about 8.5 weeks (mid July), I got a painful sore on my gum that lasted about 2 weeks, and then at about 11 weeks (early August) I developed some small pink bumps on my left elbow, lasting maybe a week. And I'm not sure if this is anything, but for about 2 months now, the palms of my hands are consistently red with white blotches (not peeling or anything, and they turn white when I press on them), and also my fingernails have become pale (not white exactly, but a very pale shade of pink). Could these things be caused by anxiety? I have read that nails can become pale/white with hiv, but would that happen this early (less than 3 months), or is that more of a late stage thing? (Also, they haven't become brittle or cracked or anything, just pale).

I know that nobody on here can guarantee anything obviously, but I guess I'm just looking for someone to hopefully instill some confidence in me that these symptoms are being brought on by my anxiety, and that based on my negative duo test at just under 6 weeks, I should feel confident going into my 3 month test.
(which I am about a week or so away from, whenever I drive up the courage to go in--as much as I want to hear negative and breathe a sigh of relief and just move on, I don't know if I'm ready to hear the results are positive if that's the case).

I've just been engulfed in this stuff all summer, googling constantly and reading and self diagnosing and building anxiety. I was even up the mountains at a bachelor party this summer and found time to sneak away from my friends to Google hiv symptoms and test info---it's become obsessive.

I've read some posts that say a duo lab test which is negative anytime after 4 weeks is conclusive, and that is essentially what the hiv hotline advisor told me as well, some places said 6 weeks, etc, but I just have a hard time accepting that, esp with the cdc guidelines of 3 months, and with the symptoms I mentioned having.

So even with these '28 day conclusive' claims, and even though I had my test at just about 6 weeks and it was a duo blood lab test which from what I read seems to be all but conclusive, I still find myself worrying greatly about this next test at the 3 month mark, which I would accept as conclusive, but in my head, I'm already anticipating bad news. Is my negative 4th gen test at almost 6 weeks pretty much conclusive? Is it probable that a test just under 6 weeks can/will turn positive?

If anyone could offer some opinions on my whole situation to hopefully make me feel better, I would greatly appreciate it. I also apologize for the length of my post.

(Also I am I 29 year old heterosexual white male living in USA, in good shape, workout often, never have done drugs or cigarettes, rarely drink, and I have always had a strong immune system. Also, I am feeling fine physically currently, even with the symptoms I mentioned having now. Anxiety level still high though.)