Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 07:45:44 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772945
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 375
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 2
Guests: 348
Total: 350

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Welcome to Do I Have HIV?

Welcome to the "Do I Have HIV?" POZ forum.

This special section of the POZ forum is for individuals who have concerns about whether or not they are HIV positive. Individuals are permitted to post up to three questions or responses in this forum.

Ongoing participation in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum (posting more than three questions or responses) requires a paid subscription, with secure payments made via PayPal.

A seven-day subscription is $9.99, a 30-day subscription is $14.99 and a 90-day subscription is $24.99.

Anyone who needs to post more than three messages in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum -- including past, present and future POZ Forums members -- will need to subscribe, with secure payments made via PayPal.

There is no charge to read threads in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum, nor will there be a charge for participating in any of the other POZ forums. In addition, the POZ Basics "HIV Transmission and Risks" and "HIV Testing" basics, will remain accessible to all.

NOTE: HIV testing questions will still need to be posted in the "Do I Have HIV?" forum; attempts to post HIV symptoms or testing questions in any other forums will be considered violations of our rules of membership and subject to time-outs and permanent bans.

To learn how to upgrade your Forums account to participate beyond three posts in the "Do I Have HIV?" Forum, please click here.

Thank you for your understanding and future support of the best online support service for people living with, affected by and at risk for HIV.

Author Topic: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help  (Read 6737 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Hello,

I had a one time, anal exposure, I was the receiving one.

I got tested at 4 months for HIV, and my results were negative. The doctor that tested me told me that I should go back and get tested again in another 6 months, because it was still possible. (I have a feeling that doctor wasn't very experienced). I read that the CDC said that 97 percent of people test conclusively at 3 months. What about the other 3 percent? Why do they take longer? I'm really worried. I think I have anxiety attacks.

I got a blood test at Kaiser. I'm not sure about the specifics, and stuff.

I've asked people at TheBody.com and one doctor told me that with p24 and HIV RNA tests, 6 months is obsolete.. Whatever that means.

So my main questions here, are:

Am I HIV negative (4 months)?

How Accurate are blood tests? (I got mine at Kaiser)

I just recently developed Allergies. Does this have anything to do with HIV?

Do I need to get tested again?

Can I forget about this?

THANKS FOR READING ALL THIS! I REALLLLY APPRECIATE IT.

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2012, 01:00:47 am »
For years now, three months has been the gold standard for testing windows.

You are reliably HIV negative

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
What STI's should I be worried about?
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2012, 06:19:46 pm »
Hi Everyone,

I had a one time exposure, where I was the receiving end.

I did get tested at 4 months, for HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. I tested back positive for Chlamydia, and they gave me one time antibiotics.

My questions are:

Are all of my results conclusive?

What other things do I need to get tested for, or is that it?

Should I go back to the clinic to make sure the clamydia is gone?

THANKS! (:

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2012, 06:42:23 pm »
I've merged your threads here. As stated in the opening thread in this section, members are to always write in the same thread. Don't start anymore new ones. Thanks for your cooperation.

Our focus here is strictly on HIV. A negative at 4 months for the other STDs as well as the others is excellent. Only syphilis has a 3 month window as does HIV, so you're clear on that.

Check with your doctor for an all-clear. That's what I expect you to get but checking in with your doctor is always a good idea. In general we recommend that anyone who is sexually active ought to regularly have a full STD panel done. That means at least once a year and more often if there are any troubling symptoms.
Andy Velez

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2012, 06:45:55 pm »
Well, What's a full STD panel??

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2012, 06:56:31 pm »
It's a list of standard sexually transmitted diseases which are commonly checked for these days.
Andy Velez

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2012, 09:00:54 pm »
Alright then. Thanks.

Lastly, How come the CDC says 97 percent of people get their conclusive result at 3 months, and some take up to 6 months!? Please Help.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2012, 10:38:49 pm by veryworriedguy »

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2012, 11:22:04 pm »
http://www.cdc.gov/globalaids/Resources/pmtct-care/docs/TM/Module_6TM.pdf
Page 11
#4
  In an adult, a positive HIV antibody test result means that the person is infected, a person with a negative or inconclusive result may be in the “window for 4 to 6 weeks but occasionally up to 3 months after HIV exposure. Persons at high risk who initially test negative should be retested 3 months after exposure to confirm results

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2012, 12:30:40 am »
Oh. Well thank you very much! But I'm not an adult though. I'm a teenager. Does this still apply?

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2012, 12:38:14 am »
Yes.

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2012, 08:01:50 am »
The exceptions for testing up to 6 months are situations which involve longterm intravenous drug use, organ transplant or treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer. Otherwise whether teen or adult, a negative at 3 months is conclusive.
Andy Velez

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2012, 11:21:21 pm »
I asked my doctor today, and she said that 6 months is the only conclusive date.
She must be unaware of how it's changed to 3 months. She wouldn't let me get another blood test either (It has been 5 months since my exposure).

I can move on from here, right?

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2012, 11:50:10 pm »
I asked my doctor today, and she said that 6 months is the only conclusive date.
She must be unaware of how it's changed to 3 months. She wouldn't let me get another blood test either (It has been 5 months since my exposure).

I can move on from here, right?

She is absolutely unaware. The window period has been three months for years and years.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2012, 06:02:46 am »

I've asked people at TheBody.com and one doctor told me that with p24 and HIV RNA tests, 6 months is obsolete.. Whatever that means.


Worried,

Obsolete means out-of-date. Ancient. Kinda like cathode ray tube black and white television sets are obsolete. Or twelve-inch vinyl record albums. Or cassette tape Walkmans. They may still be hanging around here and there, but no body uses them anymore.

Same with the six month window period for hiv testing. It still gets talked about, but nobody who keeps up with the modern world uses it. Three months is the gold standard and has been for years now. Please explain this to your doctor (or send her to our lessons here) and tell her "welcome to the 21st century!" :)

I get it - you're a young dude and all this is bewildering and a little scary. But trust us, if we thought you needed further testing, we'd tell you in no uncertain terms. You don't. You are conclusively hiv negative.

Please, please learn from this and stop having unprotected intercourse. You've got your whole life ahead of you and you don't want to spend it making doctor appointments, having regular blood draws and taking pills every day.

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.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED FURTHER TESTING AT THIS TIME, 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.

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

Ann

Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2012, 05:33:32 pm »
Thank you guys so much! :)

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2012, 07:42:40 pm »
Worried,

You're welcome.

Now go away. ;) You don't have hiv and as long as you use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently (all the time), you will continue to avoid hiv infection. It really, really is that simple!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #16 on: May 18, 2012, 12:13:47 am »
I'm really sorry to bother you guys, but..  :'(

I recently started having a itchy and sore throat. It's pretty bad and it's driving me crazy. Would it be possible that it's ARS? Do I need to get tested again?

It's just a itchy sore throat, nothing else. It's been about 5 months since my exposure now.

Thanks. >.<
« Last Edit: May 18, 2012, 01:19:11 am by veryworriedguy »

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #17 on: May 18, 2012, 05:52:39 am »
Worried,

Why would it be ARS when you have already tested CONCLUSIVELY hiv NEGATIVE?

If your sore throat continues to bother you, go to a doctor. It's definitely not being caused by a virus you do NOT have.

You do NOT have hiv!

If you read the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:

Quote

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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. 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!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #18 on: May 18, 2012, 06:28:33 pm »
I'm a nervous wreck.

My teen clinic doctor, Personal Doctor, and the Infection Disease doctor at Kaiser all said that my results were promising, but I still need to wait to 6 months.

I will never make that kind of mistake again. All this trauma and anxiety isn't worth it.

Thanks for your guys' help. I guess I just have to wait to 6 months.

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #19 on: May 18, 2012, 06:37:19 pm »
You are of course free to do what you choose to about testing. But you are already reliably HIV negative.

Anyone who suggests further testing to you is misinformed. It's unfortunate that such a recommendation just unnecessarily feeds your fears because I can tell you without any reservation that HIV is not your problem. Period.

Just get on with your life is my recommendation and forget about any further testing. Really. But like I said, it's up to. We've done what we can do for you in this setting and HIV is not your problem.
Andy Velez

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #20 on: May 18, 2012, 06:43:34 pm »
Thanks for supporting me until now. I really appreciate it.

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #21 on: May 18, 2012, 06:45:10 pm »
You're welcome.

And really, get on with your life. HIV is not it for you. Anyone who says otherwise just doesn't know.
Andy Velez

Offline veryworriedguy

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #22 on: May 20, 2012, 04:59:35 pm »
Hi once again,

This has been on my mind since the very beginning. Are you guys HIV positive? Also, are you guys Doctors?  ???

Just curious

Thanks.

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #23 on: May 20, 2012, 06:52:38 pm »
Hi once again,

This has been on my mind since the very beginning. Are you guys HIV positive? Also, are you guys Doctors?  ???

Just curious

Thanks.
■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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Ann, I'm Confused about the Accuracy of my test. Please Help
« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2012, 04:57:35 am »
Guy,

I'm hiv positive, but I'm only going to speak for myself on that (hiv) score. It's not my place to reveal the hiv status of other people.

We're not doctors, but those of us who are authorised to answer questions here have been hiv transmission, testing and awareness educators for at least ten years, and some of us double that and more. Between us we have over 100 years experience.

You can trust us when we say that you are conclusively hiv negative. We want people to accurately know their hiv status. If there were any doubt, we would recommend further testing. We have NO doubt that you do NOT need further testing.

I'm giving you that time out you've been warned about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.

Ann
« Last Edit: May 21, 2012, 05:00:37 am by Ann »
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.