POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: justonce on August 21, 2006, 09:49:49 pm
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Hi every one just trying o builds up some courage to get my self-tested. It’s been maybe 3 or maybe 4 years now since I encountered with unprotected sex. Cause over here in the Philippines Unprotected sex is practiced all the time. Many people here are unaware of the danger of sex. I know that the window period is about 2 weeks to 6 months so I know that I have passed the window so I would know for sure if I were positive or negative. I know that this is a scary subject but it is very reassuring to knowing that you’re Negative. I've read about symptoms and things like that they say that if you were infected you could have flue like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Some also say that you would see spots or scar likely on your body. I'm still uneducated about HIV I’m still learning. I know that you can think your self sick and that’s probably very unhealthy.
Well my questions are
1. How do I build courage to take the test I freak out just thinking what the result could be.
2. What other symptoms can occur
3. I have had unprotected sex 1 what are my chances living here in the Philippines HIV is very rare over here.
4. I have a swollen Lymph node that I noticed last week does this mean I Have HIV even though the last time I had unprotected sex was 3 years ago.
5. I feel Healthy but I have not been very active for the past year I feel very week is that because I might have the possibility of having HIV I know that if I were to start working out again or being active in sports I wouldn't feel so week.
6. 3 or maybe 4 years has pass still no sign of HIV symptoms could I still be infected and not know about it?
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The window period is 2-4 weeks (22 days). Symptoms or lack of symptoms are no way to diagnosis HIV. You must test. Nothing else we can help you with until you test.
edited: the above is ARS
Ann is correct on the time line (Thanks Ann for catching that)
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just,
I think Rodney had a little slip of the keyboard - the window period is three months for a conclusive result. 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. A negative result at six weeks must be confirmed at the conclusive, three month point.
Forget about symptoms. Symptoms or the lack of symptoms means nothing when it comes to hiv infection. Only the appropriate test at the appropriate time will reliably inform you of your hiv status.
As you had unprotected intercourse, you do need to test. The odds are in your favour of tested negative after a one-time event.
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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.
Have a look through the 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.
Go get tested and get it over with. You need to know one way or the other. I'm expecting you to test negative after a one-time unprotected event.
Ann