POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: questions on August 29, 2006, 10:19:24 am

Title: Hoping
Post by: questions on August 29, 2006, 10:19:24 am
Hello.  I have been reading and reading and have decided to post.  I am very impressed with the work you do here. Here is my scenario.  A one time big mistake like alot of other people.  I messed up and the condom that I thought was one was not, and my big drunken vaginal exposure adventure.  Im male and had vaginal sex with a girl of unknown status.  Symptoms a plenty.  Sore throat lasting 2 months, diaherria, painful what I think are lymph nodes under the jaw, and what seems to be swollen legs like fluid is building in my legs.
Scary and I am just waiting for bad news.  However it surprisingly hasnt come yet.  I have tested at 3,5 and 8 weeks and all negative results.  Tested for a full STD panel at 8 weeks so I can rule out all but herpes (certainly not that) and HIV.  My doctor says I have a viral infection which obviously freaks me out.  I am just leaving soon to get tested.  I am just wondering what to do after do I test again at 6 months?.  With symptoms like this have you ever seen anyone test negative at 8 weeks and turn positive?  I am so scared that I want to just scream. 

Please help with a little advice.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: RapidRod on August 29, 2006, 10:23:24 am
If this will be your 12 or 13 week test, it will be conclusive. You now have found out that excessive drinking and sex do not mix.
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: questions on August 29, 2006, 10:45:38 am
Thanks for the quick response. I see a lot of others that test with my same symptoms and continue to test negative. I also have some neuropathic tingling in my feet and hands and it could be stress related however now it seems unlikely.
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: RapidRod on August 29, 2006, 10:51:33 am
I doubt that you have PN. It just doesn't come on that fast at all but it could be caused by something else unrelated.
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: Ann on August 29, 2006, 11:25:03 am
Questions,

There are thousands of viral illnesses - why does yours have to be hiv?

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. It's highly unlikely that your eight week negative result will change.

You do need to test at the 12-13 week point and that is the last test (over this situation) that you will need. You do NOT need to test at six months, three months is absolutely conclusive.

Keep working with your doctor if you continue to feel unwell. Whatever is going on, it's very unlikely to be hiv.

And remember, symptoms or the lack of symptoms means nothing when it comes to hiv infection. Only testing will reveal your hiv status.

Ann
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: questions on August 29, 2006, 02:28:47 pm
Thanks Anne.  I have some deep regret about what I have done with the incident and think that i have lowered my body to the point where i may of either aquired a virus from her or something or activated something that was dormant in me. I am pretty confident I dont have HIV but need to see what you thought.  Although in reality I am educated enough to know just about word for word what you were going to say.  Tough being filled with regret and remorse as it can consume you just like the idea of aquiring HIV can consume you.  I just want to say how much I admire all of you for what you do. I am not sure about your status and to be honest it really doesnt matter a diddly f*&k!  Great work and thank you.
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: questions on September 07, 2006, 03:20:34 pm
Okay I got what I expected and wanted which was a "NON REACTIVE" 15 weeks exposure.  I can now put this behind me with much learned.  Anyone who is reading this and is a WW please take my advice and take the situation rationally and dont freak out and become a mess like I did.  Self examination is worthless and like the mods say "symptoms mean nothing".  I was the whos who of HIV symptoms
3 weeks after exposure
medically confirmed swollen lymph nodes ,fever, sore throat, "thrush", mouth sores, tingling in hands and feet, loss of appetite and nausea.  Hospitilized with pain under my jaw so bad that I thought my throat was jumping out of my skin. Do I have a virus...yes but not HIV

Symptoms dont equal HIV only the testing will truly tell....

Thank you to Ann, RapidRod, Mattythedamned(my favorite poster), and the rest of the people that spend time trying to talk to everyone and keeping an open mind.

Oh btw I have just one more question..........lol got you.  Good luck all!
Title: Re: Hoping
Post by: Matty the Damned on September 07, 2006, 05:06:17 pm
Questions,

I'm glad you finally got the message.

MtD
(Who cannot resist a curtain call)