Help!! Had 5 tests in 6 weeks - think they are wrong.

[Sunnypine1]

Hi! Sorry hope this is posted in the right part of the group!

Just wanted to ask about how many weeks it took for people to get positive results, should I trust a 6 week test? What did people experience during seroconversion?

I have had 5 hiv tests now - 1 with blood drawn from the vein at 4 weeks post exposure, 2 rapid tests at week 5, then a rapid test and another from the vein at week 6 (42 days).

This might seem ridiculous to have been tested so much but I just can’t shake the feeling of something being wrong 😩

I’m also having symptoms: (52 days since exposure)

- swollen lymph nodes behind legs and neck (painful in neck especially) for 3 weeks
- what seems to be oral thrush (photo attached)
-fatigue and muscle weakness
-Occasional headaches when I wake up
- diarrhoea
- back pain
- tonsillitis (photos attached)
- swollen red elbow

Can’t stop googling symptoms 😩

I’ve ordered an at home test kit and plan to do that at 8 weeks.

The guy I slept with I’m unsure if he had hiv but I cannot contact him, we didn’t use protection. He was 37 so older than me. He gave me a Grindr link instead of an Instagram handle which I found strange, did he want me to look and see if he was positive? He deleted his account before I could look or ask. It was in a shower if that makes any difference.

Is it possible that the tests are just missing the virus? I just feel like something isn’t right.

Also how do I go about getting a nucleic acid test taken? Just ask the doctor for one?

Really appreciate any help 🙂

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

None of your symtoms are HIV specific, I hope you feel better soon but instead of stressing about them or googling see your doctor and treat whatever is making you feel unwell.

Regarding HIV I understand that the exposure was unprotected intercourse and you have tested negative 6 week post exposure with a blood-drawn HIV antibodies test.

The result you have is highly unlikely to change, if you wish you can retest at 3 months post exposure for a definite result.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP going forward as an additional layer of protection against HIV

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as safe in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other easier to transmit STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Jim Allen]

The guy I slept with I’m unsure if he had hiv but I cannot contact him

Even if you could nothing he says or claims about test results would mean anything at all.

[Sunnypine1]

Hi Jim, thanks so much for replying to me.

So you don’t think the oral thrush is anything to worry about? It just seems odd that it has suddenly appeared - I just feels exhausted but maybe it’s from the stress? How often do tests taken at 3 months alter in terms of results from those taken at 6 weeks?
Do you think it’s worth doing a nucleic acid test?

Best wishes.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya

You don't need a NAT test, neither is it part of initial screening, now the test result you already have will rarely change, as in 98%+ accuracy and only for an exceptional outlier will it change. If you want you can retest at 3 months for a conclusive result.

It just seems odd that it has suddenly appeared - I just feels exhausted but maybe it’s from the stress?

Thrush overgrowth is so common that nearly every adult regardless of HIV status will have it at some point, and for the rest nothing odd at all, you are looking for a connection when there is none. People get sick, it can happen at any time.

See your doctor, stop stressing and treat whatever is making you unwell. Retest for peace of mind in regards to HIV and start using condoms for any intercourse no exceptions, consider PrEP going forward as an additional layer of prevention.

Best, Jim