POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: worried7months on June 17, 2006, 06:24:57 pm
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Hi to all,
I have my original post in the old forum. I just want to give you an update regarding my case. I decided to test again (8 months) because of the persistent pharyngitis with exudate. My lymph nodes both under my ears, neck and jaw line are still swollen. They are just slight swollen and very painful. My night sweats is intermittent now and still having intermittent diarrheoa. All these symptoms have been lingering for 4 months now.
I would like to know if some of the experts here know VSCAN Rapid test. How reliable it is comparable to ORASURE. I bought it in Hongkong and it is FDA approved according to them even in the US. You can buy it OTC in Hongkong.
Also as decided to go back to my country next week to complete my other test.
Kind Regards
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Yeah, I'm not a great fan of these OTC DIY testing kits. Not because they're not reliable, but I think that something as serious as HIV testing should be performed under the supervision of an appropriately qualified clinician. That ensures the test is done properly and is an opportunity for people to discuss their behaviours with an impartial third party.
That being said, tests that are approved by the US FDA are reliable. You should know that symptoms don't mean anything with regarding the diagnosis of HIV infection. You should read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) here at AIDSMEDS.
Also if you return to the Old Forums and search under your old name, you will find your previous thread.
MtD
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thanks Matt, I found it...
http://www.aidsmeds.com/fusetalk/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=30309&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=
I was tested also at 1 month ELISA, 5 months also via MEIA third generation. Pls. note that when I have my CBC at 5 months, my lymphocytes is low 14 percent.
Is there any guidelines where people need to be tested via PCR? Like for those who have persistent symptoms beyond the window period?
Kind Regards
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Worried,
If you tested negative after the window period then you are conclusively negative for HIV. Any symptoms you have are not HIV related. PCR testing has an unacceptably high rate of false positives, thus it isn't approved for diagnostic use. I advise you in the strongest terms not to undertake PCR testing.
Your complete blood count and lymphocyte results have nothing to do with HIV. How do I know this? Well, your negative HIV antibody test results tell me that.
Seriously, this is not an HIV situation babe. Read our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and get on with your life.
MtD
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As Matty has pointed out you have more than reliably tested negative for HIV. You are HIV negative. Period. End of story.
So any further HIV testing is totally unwarranted.
Just because you have ongoing symptoms that are disturbing and uncomfortable does not invalidate your HIV test result at 5 months. You need to be discussing your concerns with your doctor. HIV is absolutely not the issue.
Cheers,
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Worried,
You were told repeatedly in the old forum that you have tested conclusively negative for hiv. You are hiv negative. You do not have hiv.
You were under a time out warning in the old forum and that applies here in the new forum too. It's even in the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0):
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.
Please consider yourself warned - for the last time. Please seek the assistance of a mental health care professional who can help you accept your negative hiv status.
Ann
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Sorry Annn. I am seriously considering now your last warning. I just want to let you know that I am spending a lot for the psychiatrist now as it is very expensive in Shanghai. Though this city in China has a lot of modern achitecture and advance equipment, the advancement and expertise of medical professional is still behind the standard. The family will go back to my country next week to continue my other test including MRI and cancer culture.
I am not wondering also why your compatriot "China" decided to leave this country whatever the result of his HIV test at 13 months.
I hope you understand that if those people who have low risk and non risk exposure with not much symptoms are almost going insane what more myself who have a worrying and disturbing symptoms.
I will continue to seek the help of psychiatrist during my vacation.
Thanks again for your help, Andy, Rapid, Jonathan, Matt, Lesson, SAE and other experts.
Kind Regards,
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Hi.
I left China for several good reasons, one of which you mention yourself,
"the advancement and expertise of medical professionals is still behind the standard"
I left 10 weeks after my exposure, not 13 months. After several negative tests, ongoing illness and huge medical bills I had simply had enough. I wanted to test in my own country where I trusted the result and would feel comfortable should it be positive.
I have since had two negative results here in England- the last one being 15 weeks after the risk. That is good enough for me. Whether my unprotected sex with an hiv positive sex worker was 'low risk' I do not know. I do know that I have exceeded the 13 week window period- and you certainly have.
It sounds like you have been worried for a very long time now and I would advise you (if possible) to just return to your country and try to relax. Spending money on a psychiatrist in Shanghai may not solve your mental issues whereas a break from the city (it feels very claustrophobic at times) and China may help to ease your anxiety. It has worked for me.
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Hi
I cheated on my girlfriend two weeks ago and had unprotected vaginal sex. Since then I have not had sex with my gfriend but she has given me blowjobs (swallowing). Is there a risk for her? Thanks.
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Please keep all your questions and concerns in your orginal thread.
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my orignial thread was 18 months ago and on seperate risk, should I still post there?
Risk?
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Yes you still post there. Change the topic line if you like.
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China,
I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.
If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
You have put your girlfriend at risk for ANY STI that you may have picked up from your unprotected intercourse with someone else. You need to test not only for hiv, but for all the other STIs. You can test for the other STIs now, but only a three month test for hiv will be conclusive.
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 with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through all three 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.
Wise up and stop putting yourself at risk. Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and CONSISTENTLY and you will avoid hiv infections - and other STIs as well.
You need to test for hiv at three months - and you need to be using condoms.
Ann