POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: in the waiting game on October 03, 2007, 10:20:13 am
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Hello, I am new to this site. Yes I had posted a question on another site but did not really receive much response. I have been viewing your site for a couple days and I am impressed with the respose and care you exhibit. So here is my situation. I had unprotected sex on aug 10. I am married and have children. It was the stupidest thing I have ever done. My husband was working out of town for 6 mos and all my kids are young adults and busy with their own lives. I was lonely and vulnerable and made a very poor choice. I own up to it and have told my husband the entire story. He handled it with much love and compassion. I am very blessed. I have had 2 of the pcr dna test done, one was done 5 days post and the other 31 days post. both were neg. I also went to a clinic at 6 wks and 3 dys post and had a oraquick done which was also neg. I plan to go for the 12 week test for confirmation. My husband refuses to have protected sex because he says he knows I am fine. I still worry and therefore find ways to put him off. I have had some symptoms but I also have beat myself up pretty badly emotionally and I know that chronic stress and anxiety can produce symptoms as well. I need encouragement please. It is almost 8 weeks post and thinking I may go for another test. The guy I had straight vag sex with is engaged and I can not call him. His sister said at one time he had gotten into drugs and has been with several women. UUGGHH how could I have been so stupid? NEVER AGAIN!
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in,
The PCR DNA tests are not approved for diagnostic purposes.
The test that counts is your six week oraquick. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. While it is highly unlikely that your test result will change, you do need to have that three month confirmation.
If you ever find yourself in this position again, please remember to use a condom. Condoms have been proven to prevent hiv infection. To make sure they're being used properly, read through the three condom and lube links in my signature line.
I don't expect your result to change, but please do confirm at the appropriate time.
Ann
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Thank you Ann
Would an eight week test be more encouraging than a six week? Also I have read where people are buying the oraquicks to perform at home in private. Do yuo know where those could be purchased? Any info would be appreciated.
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in,
The ONLY hiv test approved for home use is called Home Access. From what I understand, it is available in most pharmacies or drug stores in the States.
If you want to waste your money then go ahead and test again at eight weeks, but I don't really see the point. With all the results you've had so far, you're more likely to walk outside your house and find a multi-million dollar winning lottery ticket lying in the gutter than you are to go on to test positive and you may as well wait for the three month mark.
Ann
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Thank You,
I guess fear makes one irrational in thoughts and actions. Your words have very much helped to subside my fears. I was only considering purchasing one because I am now out of state with my husband and do not know anything about this area. Anonymous testing sites etc.
You do a great service here and I for one thank you. Afterall to err is human. If we did not err then we would all be perfect. But this particular err will never grace my path again for sure. I may need more encouragement to get through this as I am alone now except my husband and as great and wonderful as he has been I am sure his ear is very tired of listening to his "hypechondriac" wife :)
Thanks again so much!
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With those earlier negative results and particularly the one at 6 weeks, I do expect that you will continue to test negative.
Probably you will never find yourself in such a situation again, but IF you do, make sure the guy is wearing a condom. No exceptions.
Good luck with your 13 week test.
Cheers,
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Two quick questions since I am still waiting and have not gone for an eight week test. ( mostly due to not knowing this area and what is available) But here goes. Could seroconversion be dealyed by being on an antibiotic such as amoxicillin 875 mg a week after risky behavior and affect a test result?
I also read on a thread that an eight week test if neg. puts you in the 95th% of continuing to test neg. at week 12. Is this true?
Thank you in advance for your time
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No, that medication would NOT skewer your test result.
Rather than quantify it with a percentage, I would say another negative result at 8 weeks is a virtual guarantee that you're going to test negative again at 13 weeks.
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Well I just got back from taking my 8 week test and it was NEGATIVE! Thank you God! the std counselor said the same thing you did. He said I would have a neg result at twelve weeks as well. I am so relieved. THANK YOU for all the encouragement. I will keep you posted.
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Hey in the waiting game,
I wish I was where you are at right now. I am barely at week four. I hate this so much.
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Waiting is very difficult and I completely understand where you are coming from. I pray that you are well and all of your results are neg.
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Waiting, that's excellent news about your latest negative. I expect your next one will be another for your collection.
Stay productively busy now until then and the time will pass more quickly than you may imagine possible.
Cheers,
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Ann
My apologies it wont happen again :)
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Ann
My apologies it wont happen again :)
Thanks!
I'm still expecting your conclusive test to return with negative results. Keep yourself productively busy in the mean time. Reading about hiv - including this website - does NOT qualify as "keeping busy". Get off the internet and go get some fresh air and exercise and you'll feel better, I promise.
Ann
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Hey Guys,,
just an update and a question. Update is I got antsy and took a finger prick test at an STD Clinic at 10 weeks and it was neg. So I am now beginning to relax a little more. Question is or rather I am confused. I have read twelve weeks is conclusive testing but then I see where some are saying thirteen weeks. If I test at twelve weeks to the day will I have to test again at thirteen weeks? Also I have read that in Australlia the test are conclusive at 6 weeks. How is that? Just curious. Not trying to start any heated debates just would like to know from a group who seems to know their stuff.
Thanks Guys,
S
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Also I have read that in Australlia the test are conclusive at 6 weeks. How is that? Just curious.
In some Australian states and in Massachusetts in the USA the relevant health authorities have reduced the window period to 6 weeks because of the generation of test they use.
Nevertheless the "official" window period in the US (as determined by the CDC) 13 weeks and that is the standard to which AIDSmeds adheres. Let me add that the generation of the test being used doesn't have any impact on it's clinical usefulness. Provided that the test is administered properly and at the right time it will yield an accurate result.
We often point out that majority people who are going to test positive will have done so at the 6 week mark. Your 10 week result is pretty much a set match. You're almost certainly going to test negative at the 13 week mark.
MtD
(Who is Australian)
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Matty,
Thank you for your response. I have an appointment for a test at the twelve week mark. Will that be sufficient or do I need to test at 13 weeks?
I am still a little confused over that.
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Babe,
12 weeks, 13 weeks; it's all good.
A 12 week test is the same as a 13 week test.
MtD
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Thanks again Matty,
You have been very helpful. one more question, (I know you all get that alot). But when I take my twelve week test will the rapid test be ok to take? Like the ones at the STD clinic? Will the result be as acurate? Thanks so much and stay well.
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in,
Rapid tests are valid - otherwise they wouldn't be in use. So yes, you can use a rapid test for your conclusive three month result. I don't expect the result to be any different from your ten week result and neither should you.
Ann
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Hello again,
Just an update. I went and had blood drawn for an Elisa 3rd generation HIV 1/2 test. Got the results today. Non reactive! Now this is twelve weeks and I am feeling much better.
Just a quick review and then I want to get on with my life.
Do I need to retest at 13 weeks? COnsidering the guy I had unprotected sex with had a drug history. I have never been a drug user or a drinker. I just want to make absolutely certain I can relax. I do still feel some tenderness or I think I do under my left arm and on the inside of my right thigh about half way down. I have not been prodding its just I feel something. Is it possible I was just so stressed that I willed my body into thinking these symptoms were real? I will test again at 13 weeks if it is neccessary but I am just so ready to put this behind me. I feel relieved and feel as if I need to just let my mind and body heal. But I very much value your opinions so please respond soon.
Thank you guys so much!!
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By the way his sister said to her knowledge he is healthy with no illnesses. If that matters.
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Comments from his sister or from anyone are just hearsay and not something to rely upon.
A negative test result at 12 weeks is not hearsay. It's reliable. You are HIV negative and no further testing is necessary. Only an HIV test result can give you a reliable answer about HIV status.
Congratulation on that happy result. Get on with your life!
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Andy thanks for your comforting response and I have been very happy.
However right now I just need some reassurance. The day after my twelve week negative at 84 days 7 days into twelve weeks is 84 days. I woke up with a cold or sinus deal going on. I keep reminding myself that my daughter and grandson are both sick and I have been around both of them alot. Plus I took my daughter to the DR where everybody in the waiting room was coughing and had runny noses. I just need to hear some reassurance that my twelve week test is conclusive and I need not panic.
Thank you so much
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My left gland is swollen amd this is the side that has been the most bothersome since sat morning.
I don't mean to sound so panicky but I was so happy to put this behind me,
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my throat is scratchy feeling too. Could be sinus drainage.
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If you have a concern about your throat then see a doctor. You can't be diagnosed over the internet.
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Rod,
I am not looking for a diagnosis. I apologize if it read that way. I have consitently tested neg. non reactive even at twelve weeks and just need some reassurance from the forum that it is more than likely coincidental timing with my family being sick and not HIV.
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a 12 week negative result is about as reassuring as you should expect to get.
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Thanks Thunter, I am beginnig to kick this bug a little. My sinuses are beginning to clear. Throat is not as scratchy. I have always had a good immune system. I just kind of freaked a little. Should I get a thirteen week test just to be absolutely certain?
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i surely wouldn't bother with it in your case.
that's all the hand holding you're gonna get from me.
time to move on.
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hand holding? no, I was just needing to hear a voice of reason as I was thinking irrationally.
if I felt the need to test again at 13 weeks the full 90 days and If a person were to be a late seroconverter and was having symptoms at the time of the test would they receive a pos result then at the time of testing during sc?
I am thinking positively for a neg result, but just curious about the question posed above.
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You have received your conclusive negative result. You are not a late seroconverter. You need to move on.
You should familiarise yourself with our posting guidelines (contained in the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0)) which state:
Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
MtD