Worried...

[WorriedBee]

Hello.... Thank you for this amazing forum.

My story goes like this on april 6 i had unprotected sex with a friend it just happened that once. On May 12 i noticed these bumps on my elbows and i had two canker sores in my mouth so i decided to go on google to see what they could be and noticed that those are some hiv symptoms. As you can imagine i started freaking out and before you know it i was feeling all the symptoms. I was barely able to sleep or concentrate.
 
I spoke to my friend and told him what i was feeling and he told me that he was sure that he didnt have anything. But since you cant trust anyone nowadays i am still a bit worried.

On June 4th (8 weeks later) i finally got the courage and went to purchase an Oraquick test and it came out negative. Should i still be concerned?

[Jeff G]

I am assuming you mean unprotected anal or vaginal sex . If you engaged in unprotected anal or vaginal sex its very good news that your test at 8 weeks is negative .

The testing window period for HIV is 6 weeks past any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results . A six or in your case a 8 week test is highly unlikely to change but must be confirmed at 3 months or 12 weeks for a conclusive result .
Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

[WorriedBee]

Thank you so much Jeff for your response. It was vaginal sex only. I am just concerned about the accuracy of the Oraquick home test. Should i test again at 12 weeks.

[Jeff G]

The testing window period for HIV is 6 weeks past any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results . A six or in your case a 8 week test is highly unlikely to change but must be confirmed at 3 months or 12 weeks for a conclusive result .

Yes ... the test is accurate and must be confirmed at 12 weeks .

[WorriedBee]

Good morning,

I just tested with another oraquick test at 82 days two days short of 12 weeks  can i consider this conclusive. I wont be able to check next week because i will be away and was too anxious to wait until i got back. I havent had sex every since my last exposure which was april 6.

Thank you so much.

[Jeff G]

Two days short is not going to make a difference ... Congratulations on the fact that you do not have HIV . Its conclusive .