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Author Topic: 6 Weeks HIV Test  (Read 26095 times)

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Offline Chris208

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6 Weeks HIV Test
« on: September 26, 2011, 07:17:16 pm »
Hi guys,


I'm a 32 heterosexual male. Please provide me with your professional input. 6.5 weeks ago I went out drinking and decided to take a cab home from the club.  I black out for a matter of 45 minutes until I woke up on the side of my bed vomiting.  The next day I woke in panic not knowing what I had done the last 45 minutes of my previous night. In the next few days I developed a discomfort with my urine and penis and decided to see a doctor.  I was prescribed a couple of antibiotics and tested negative for all bacterial STD's.   Not sure what is going on with my private parts.  (I'm assuming I had unprotected sex with a prostitute or drug user) I had ask my doctor if I should be concern with HIV and his response was that is not as common to pick up the virus through vaginal sex of a one time exposure.  I often read that when other bacterial infections are present that HIV has a higher change of being transmitted.  Then I read that vaginal fluids need to get into my urethra in order for transmission to take place and that fluids don't normally get in there. At 4.5 weeks and came down with some strange symptoms.  Chills on and off, pains that come and go throughout my body, swollen neck glands, fatigue, and shortness of breath, ear press with light pain, and a swollen tonsil. I went to see my doctor at 5 weeks and she thinks I may have an upper respiratory infection.  I took a rapid finger prick test exactly at 6 weeks, and it's negative.   The counselor mentioned that that's a very good sign, however my symptoms are still lingering around. She also mentioned that's very rare to get infected from a woman, but I have read a few stories here where heterosexual males have gotten infected from a one time exposure. How can I confirmed that in fact my symptoms are not related to the possible exposure?  If my symptoms started at 4.5 weeks would my 6 weeks be positive?  Did I test way too early?   Thanks in advanced for your input...

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2011, 08:10:11 pm »
I suspect that you did not NEED to test at all. 45 minutes is a really short span of time to A) find a prostitute, B) get her home C) have sex, D) see her out the door.

Also, prostitutes insist on condoms almost universally. For their own protection.

Inasmuch as symptoms of acute infection are absolutely indistinguishable (for the most part) from a HOST of other illnesses, they do not typically linger. Usually ten days is all you get, and they are usually not diagnosed as a respiratory illness.

You can understand why this site does not use symptoms as an indicator of HIV infection.

Most people who become infected will test positive within six weeks. We keep the three month indicator because some folks do take longer to seroconvert.

I agree with your counselor that it is extremely unlikely that enough magic got moved around in the universe for that perfect storm of opportunity to cause you to contract HIV during your blackout. Test at 6 weeks for peace of mind, and three months to be absolutely certain if you have to. But I seriously doubt you even had sex, let alone unprotected sex, and let alone with an HIV positive person.

Blackouts are tough though. They can really mess with your head.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Chris208

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2011, 08:24:44 pm »
jkinatl2!  Thanks for your quick response.  I don't know if you read it or not, but I did take a rapid finger prick test at 6 weeks and it was negative.  How often does this site come across a 6 weeks rapid test turning positive at a later time?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2011, 08:38:35 pm »
I certainly never have, and I've been here about eight years give or take. Then again, I can think of maybe ONE heterosexual male who ended up positive from this forum.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2011, 08:49:52 pm »
Given that you don't even know for sure that you had unprotected intercourse and that you now have a negative at 6 weeks, I expect you to continue to test negative.

The biggest red flag in your story is your having been drinking to such excess. That's a seriously unmanageable position which is very dangerous in a number of ways including how it affects your ability or lack of to have safer sex. It's something to be avoided in the future.

Otherwise I expect you to come out of this ok.
Andy Velez

Offline sadface

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2011, 08:55:12 pm »
I certainly never have, and I've been here about eight years give or take. Then again, I can think of maybe ONE heterosexual male who ended up positive from this forum.



Good chance I end up #2 tomorrow.


Offline jkinatl2

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2011, 09:20:39 pm »
Good chance I end up #2 tomorrow.



So you really don't care about the science? Seems like more than a little pity going on here. There is not a "good" chance.

A microscopic one, and I'm being generous.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Chris208

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2011, 11:37:00 pm »
Andy,


I have given up drinking all together since this incident.   The only thing that leads me to believe I had sex with someone is the fact that I had some issues with my penis within a few days of the blackout.  Plus the fact that I'm having all these symptoms with my body.  Some people may even consider a 6 week Test as conclusive, but I just don't know what to make of it since my symptoms are still lingering at this point.   I also know that it's difficult for a doctor to dx anyone with acute HIV infection because of the nonspecific symptoms.  Should I continue to test? 

Offline RapidRod

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2011, 03:34:15 am »
6 weeks isn't conclusive with any HIV test.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2011, 07:53:46 am »
Sadface, you are not supposed to be commenting in someone else's thread. It is a rule of the site that you only write in your own thread. Please follow that rule in the future.
Andy Velez

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: 6 Weeks HIV Test
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2011, 07:54:54 am »
Chris, for you testing is strictly for your peace of mind. Given the level of your concern, I suggest you test at 13 weeks to collect the inevitable negative result simply to put an end to any doubts in your mind. And yes, I expect you to test negative.
Andy Velez

 


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