Big Mistake

[CLAUDIO]

Hi guys,


 I've learned a great deal on your forums.  However, I have a couple of worries.  Approximately 10 weeks ago I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a friend of mine.  Really stupid of me, i was really drunk and was messing around with some meth.  I wasnt thinking clearly.  I started to really freak out around the 7th week since I came down with the flu and some other symptoms and got some antibiotics.  A couple of days after the 8th week I had tests done for Std's and a standard HIV antibody test.  Came back negative on both.  My question is how conclusive is the Hiv test? and did the meth or antibiotics hinder the results?  I am married and really worried about spreading something to my wife?

[Andy Velez]

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the very smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus. You had a single unprotected incident. It's significantly harder to transmit the virus from female to male. Given all of these factors along with your negative test at 8 weeks I expect you to continue to test negative.

You should re-test at 13 weeks at which point your expected negative result is definitive.

Mixing meth and drinking with casual sex is extremely dangerous. Meth especially interferes with your ability to negotiate safer sex.

As for having sex with your wife, although I do expect you will test negative, waiting until you get that 13 week negative might be prudent on your part. Your symptoms mean absolutely nothing in terms of knowing about your HIV status. And there is nothing HIV specific about any you have mentioned.

[CLAUDIO]

Thanks Andy, I greatly appreciate your fast response.  I learned my lesson, since then I've been drug free and stopped drinking.  Protected sex with condom should be o.k. between my wife and I?  Also, I spoke with my friend I had the fling with and she claims she is negative which I hope is a good sign

[Andy Velez]

Yes, protected sex with your wife is just that -- protected so you wouldn't have any cause for concern about transmission Bear in mind I do expect you to test negative.

As for what the other woman said -- that's all well and good and it's just hearsay as far as I am concerned. I'm sure you find it comforting but only your own negative HIV test is the thing for you to rely upon.

It's good to read you've sworn off the drugs and such.

Good luck with your test.

[CLAUDIO]

Hi Guys, sorry to be so paranoid.  But can anyone tell me what are the possibilites of tesing negative or positive on the 13th week of my exposure when I did test negative on my 58th day of exposure?  I would greatly appreciate your prompt response.  Thanks.

[Ann]

Claud,

It's highly unlikely you'll go on to test positive after a 58 day (over eight weeks) negative. You've already been told that the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by SIX weeks.

I don't expect your result to change and neither should you.

Ann

[CLAUDIO]

Hi Guys, its me again, im waiting to walk into a clinic in a few days to get my conclusive negative hiv test results.  What's kinda bugging me is the fact that on the 11th week I was flying to mexico and all of a sudden my lymph glands in my neck began tu hurt, it started on the left side and gradually worked its way on the right side.  They come and go and they tingle in my neck and yesterday I felt some discomfort in my armpits, like they are connected.  It feels like when you eat lime and it gives you a weird tingle.  Im hoping its not some kind of ARS symptom since it came on the 11th week.  Is that possible for this to occur?  I promise this will be my last post before my conclusive negative result.

[Ann]

Claudio,

Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms are meaningless when it comes to diagnosing hiv infection. It's highly unlikely your eight week negative will change.

See your doctor about your glands. It's highly unlikely to have anything to do with hiv.

Ann

[CLAUDIO]

Hi Guys, I just got the finger stick rapid hiv test.  As you guys patiently and calmy expected I am negative.  It was really quick like about 10 minutes but this place looked really shady.  Anyways, yesterday was my 13th week is it safe to say I am hiv negative and how reliable was this test? 

[Ann]

Claudio,

The finger-stick tests are FDA approved and reliable. You ARE hiv negative. Protect your negative status by using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently. It really is that simple.

Ann

[CLAUDIO]

Thanks, Ann.  You guys are truly amazing, putting it up with all kinds of problems and worries that people get themselves into.  I honestly hope all is well with all of you.  I am in your debt.  If I have anymore questions and thoughts is it o.k. if I can bug  you guys?

[CLAUDIO]

Sorry to bug you guys again, on such a busy day.  I tested hiv negative a day after my 13th week from unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman of uknown status.  I did have unprotected sex with my wife less than 10 times after that.  As far as I can tell, my wife is hiv negative since I have been her only sex partner.  Is it safe to say that I can start having unprotected sex with my wife again after my negative results at 8 weeks and 13 weeks?  Please reply at your earliest convenience.

[Andy Velez]

Yes, you can have unprotected sex with your wife. You are HIV negative and you cannot pass a virus you don't have.

That's what HIV negative means.

Take a breath and let go of that bit of your history that brought you here. Lugging guilt around, which is what we're really talking about now, is poisonous in a relationship and self-indulgent. Let it go and get on with your life. That's the most caring thing you can do for all concerned.