POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: curiousme on April 01, 2014, 09:41:33 pm

Title: Test accuracy after 3 yrs. Why am I still worried? Please help.
Post by: curiousme on April 01, 2014, 09:41:33 pm
First off thank you for this sight!

3 years ago I had unprotected sex with one person.  Since then I have gotten married and am expecting a baby. I have been totally freaking out about HIV.  I have taken multiple test which all come back non-reactive. Here are the tests that I've taken and my concerns about each test.

In the end of 2010 was the time of unprotected

September 2012 I donated blood with Oneblood.

March 2013 I was eligible and donated blood with Oneblood. They mention on their website that if when you donate they will screen your blood. They will defer you if you test positive. Obviously, if I didn't test positive in September 2012 I should assume everything was fine. When I log into my donor account is shows that I am eligible now to donate after donating both times.

Match 3, 2014 (when I started getting anxiety about HIV)  I went and got the Clearview HIV Rapid finger ***** test at a local clinic. It came back non-reactive. I know that it's been over 3 years but is that little amount of blood from my finger truly enough to test for HIV??

April 1, 2014 I bought the at home oraquick test. I watched videos with people performing the test at home as well as medical professionals performing the test so that I knew I was doing it correctly. I also read through the book completely before doing the test. It came back negative. I did brush my teeth 45-50 minutes prior to the test. The test states nothing within 30 minutes of testing. Can I rely on a test that only tests saliva?

I know this sounds crazy but my mind is still reeling since this HIV thought after 3 years just popped into my head. I will go next week for an official blood test that you do during the first trimester. I'm so very scared that it will come back positive. Is it likely for someone to go through all of these tests and come back positive during a blood test?? Thank you for your patience!
Title: Re: Test accuracy after 3 yrs. Why am I still worried? Please help.
Post by: Jeff G on April 01, 2014, 09:49:46 pm
You are HIV negative , its conclusive that you do NOT have HIV .

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 did not have a risk and do not need to test for this specific incident , 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Title: Re: Test accuracy after 3 yrs. Why am I still worried? Please help.
Post by: Ann on April 02, 2014, 05:36:53 am
Curious,

I agree completely with Jeff - you are conclusively hiv negative.

However, due to the fact that you are pregnant, there is something of which you need to be aware.


I will go next week for an official blood test that you do during the first trimester. I'm so very scared that it will come back positive. Is it likely for someone to go through all of these tests and come back positive during a blood test??


You need to know that sometimes pregnancy can cause a FALSE positive hiv antibody test result. ANY positive hiv antibody test result must be confirmed with another test called a Western Blot. This test will prove negative in a case of a false positive result caused by pregnancy.

Here is what I suggest you do: tell the person doing the tests (it may be your doctor, nurse or midwife) that you have recently tested negative from an incident that occurred three years ago.

Make sure they will do the WB test before informing you in the case of a positive antibody result. Let them know how anxious you are about hiv testing so they can thoroughly explain the procedure.

More likely than not you will just get another negative result, but as you are anxious and pregnant - and pregnancy can cause FALSE positive antibody results - I thought it was only fair to warn you.

As Jeff said, you ARE conclusively hiv NEGATIVE.

Good luck with your pregnancy and don't let unwarranted fears of hiv stop you from enjoying this special time. You do NOT have hiv.

Ann