Oraquick coming in October

[Worried2011]

Hi everyone, please bear with me as I lay out what I did a week ago Sunday.

So, Sunday June 26th, in the evening 11pm or so, I had a fairly extensive makeout session with a young man, including some mutual oral sex, not to completion.  We did jerk each other off, but I do remember tasting some pre-cum when performing the oral.

So Monday comes, feel fine.  Tuesday into the evening, start to feel some general malaise, then Wednesday, get the chills, fever, sore throat comes on hard with white exudate on my tonsils.  Now, I'm somewhat relieved when I start reading about strep throat , as my symptoms sounded part and parcel in line with that.

So I continue feeling pretty awful all last week..didn't go to the Dr. and get antibiotics, figured I could beat it without anyone's help and I thought I was pretty ok..did an 8 mile hike on Saturday, kind of kept popping Advil for the throat pain. 

Anyway, fast forward to today, white exudate still on tonsil, made appointment with the doctor this morning.  Rapid strep test came back negative..but she did go ahead and prescribe me a 10 day course of Amoxocillan upon looking at my throat and hearing me describe my symptoms.

Took first pill (of 20) at around 11:30 am pacific this morning..throat seems somewhat better, but giving it a couple of days to be sure the antibiotics are having an effect.


SO..with all that, I guess my question and fear is that these strep symptoms could possibly be seroconversion?

I've had nothing in my chest (no mucous/ fluid)  no cough, no sneezing, no vomiting or diarrhea.   I did however, in under 2 days, I did have the chills/fever/ headache, severe sore throat (again, with white exudate on tonsils, in line with strep)

Does HIV seroconversion's sore throat form the white stuff on your tonsils?  Could sero-conversion have come on that quickly?

Any help or specific info you can provide or if I can clarify anything I've said, please let me know.

I thank you!  Kinda freaking out worried I have HIV! 

[RapidRod]

Your are not going through seroconversion, because you never had an exposure. HIV is not transmitted by oral sex or kissing.

[Worried2011]

Thanks for the prompt reply Rod.  Andy? Ann?  Can you offer your view as well?  can you answer the technical quiestion about HIV seroconverion's sore throat vs. strep throat?

[Ann]

Worried,

You have not had a risk for hiv infection, as Rodney told you. Not only is saliva not infectious, but it also contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage hiv and render it unable to infect.

Your throat problems came on way too quickly for seroconversion illness, even if you had a risk - which you did NOT. The illness that people sometimes experience takes between around two and three weeks to happen.

The only proven sexual risks for hiv infection  are unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse.

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 TO TEST OVER KISSING OR BLOWJOBS, 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

[Worried2011]

Ok I am really freaking out big time. So this is my first test since this incident on June 26th. So I went in yesterday and got blood drawn. They said the results should be back today but I just called and they aren't back yet which is really freaking me out. Why is it taking longer than expected? Was it poz and they have to retest to be sure?  I'm really going to be super anxious tonight. God why did I have to be gay so that this is a constant fear ?!?!

Please Andy or Ann help me feel reassured. I'm crying now and so scared.  Please help me

[Ann]

Worried,

The world does not revolve around you and your test results. The results aren't in means just that - the test results are not in.

You never had a risk for hiv in the first place. Get a grip.

Ann

[Worried2011]

I had to call the emergency line and the doctor called the lab and called me back and I have the result. It is negative.  I'm so relieved but I do have a problem for sure. A big HIV phobia.  I hate that I react this way any time I have sexual contact with a guy. I love guys, but I wish sometimes I were straight so that HIV was not as big of a concern. I just can't have any sexual risk going forward. This time really scared me bad.

Best wishes to all that read this

[Andy Velez]

Well then instead of just suffering with your fears, how about seeing a therapist or other professional and talk about the problem. Life is way too short at its longest to live with such fears when sex is a natural and healthy part of our lives. Or should be.

We can't help you with that in this setting but if you care enough about yourself, get some help.

Cheers.

[Worried2011]

Hi all.  I have been waiting for this a while..and will probably keep a couple of kits on hand at my home for potential sexual partners..a little paranoid, perhaps..but I think it'll be ok.

My question is about the window period.  I've often felt that the home RNA test which can detect the HIV RNA as soon as 10 days after infection would be almost the holy grail for preventing infection.

I know the 90 day period mentioned on the oraquick oral swab test is sort of a max period.  How quickly in the real world would this new oraquick swab coming in October detect infection?

Realistically speaking would it detect within a few (two) weeks? Presuming they aren't on any immuno-suppressive drug regimes?

Just curious, and I thank everyone in advance for their input and any additional info or comments along these lines would be welcome also.

[emeraldize]

Hi Worried,

I think you might want to read/post in this thread http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=44132.0

Em

[Rev. Moon]

Em, this person is actually not supposed to post outside of his "Am I Infected" thread.

He is now reported.

[emeraldize]

Hi Rev -- I didn't know.  Em

[Tim Horn]

Worried:

Upon reading the thread Em suggests, you'll notice that there was a relatively high false-negative rate in studies of the Oraquick In-Home test. The reason? People tested themselves for HIV antibodies before the window period came to a close.

With this test, forget about the "how soon after exposure can I tested" and, instead, plan on following the test kit's instructions -- make sure that 90 days have passed since your last possible exposure.

Tim

[Ann]

Worried,

Tim Horn moved your new thread from the Research forum - where you are NOT permitted to post - and I merged your new thread into your original thread, which is the only place you ARE permitted to post.

It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

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 so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Make sure you read and abide by our forum rules from here on out.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ann