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Author Topic: Very Worried  (Read 4479 times)

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Offline kwell

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Very Worried
« on: January 17, 2009, 10:44:27 pm »
I am a bit worried about my status. I have been messing around with this guy for about 2.5 months and unsure about his status (i am not sure if he is seeing other women) I had unprotected sex with him for the first time on new years eve and had an Hiv 1 and 2 screen done 1 week later. To make sure I also had a Proviral HIV DNA by PCR test done last Thursday. I know I was completely stupid, but am I worrying over nothing?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2009, 09:28:38 am »
I am a bit worried about my status. I have been messing around with this guy for about 2.5 months and unsure about his status (i am not sure if he is seeing other women) I had unprotected sex with him for the first time on new years eve and had an Hiv 1 and 2 screen done 1 week later. To make sure I also had a Proviral HIV DNA by PCR test done last Thursday. I know I was completely stupid, but am I worrying over nothing?

No, you aren't worrying over nothing. I'm going to give it to you straight. You have no business ever having unprotected intercourse with any guy unless you are in a securely monogamous relationship in which both partners test negative together at a reliable testing point. Other than that the guy ought to always without exception be using a latex condom for intercourse. It doesn't matter how great the guy is or what you think you know about his history and status. He needs to use condoms.

Have I scared you? Good. Because everytime you have unprotected intercourse under circumstances other than what I have suggested you are putting your life at risk. It's as stark and as simple as that. Other "messing around" as you euphemistically put it doesn't matter because the only real, confirmed risk for HIV transmission is through unprotected vaginal (and anal) intercourse.

You've tested at a point far too early to be reliable. And the DNA PCR was never designed for diagnositc purposes. It also is prone to frequent false positives because it is such a sensitive test.

Further facts: The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the virus. So a negative result at 6 weeks is a very good indication that you are likely to continue to test negative. It should be confirmed by a final test at 13 weeks.

Have all the sex you want to and with whomever you want to. Just do it the safer way and make sure it never happens without the guy wearing a condom for intercourse.

Andy Velez

Offline kwell

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2009, 09:58:33 am »
When I called the lab about the Proviral HIV DNA by PCR test they told me it could be done as early as 2 weeks after possible transmission and advised me to get it done. Was this foolish of me to test so soon even though they told me to? I realize now this was too soon now, but is it somewhat reliable?

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2009, 10:27:56 am »
It was foolish for you to get a PCR test. They aren't approved for diagnosing HIV.

Offline kwell

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2009, 10:36:44 am »
Then what is the purpose of even providing the test?

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2009, 10:47:06 am »
PCR DNA test are used to monitor patients progression that have HIV to see how they are responding to medication.

Offline kwell

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Very Worried
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2009, 10:55:54 am »
So basically-just ignore the test?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Very Worried
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2009, 12:11:23 pm »
The lab makes money on what is an expensive test. Even if you test negative on it you still need to get a standard HIV test at 13 weeks to be certain that you're HIV negative.
Andy Velez

 


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