Author Topic: Infection? (Read 8088 times)

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **on:** July 29, 2012, 02:22:49 pm »

I understand from reading on here and many other sites that 12 weeks can provide an accurate and conclusive test result. However, I am wondering if it is possible for someone to take up over 4 months to develop ars and if they got tested during that time and it was negative, would that still be conclusive?
I know it is extremely rare to take 6 or more months, and that these situations (if they happen) have to do with extremely immune-suppressed individuals or some other severe situation must be occurring. How likely is it that someone would test negative via bloodtest at 4.5 months but positive at 6 months? What factors could contribute to this?

RapidRod · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2012, 02:27:54 pm »

If you tested negative at 3 months it is conclusive and don't need any further testing. If one has ARS the symptoms come at 2-4 weeks post exposure and last 1-2 weeks. It isn't rare to take 6 months or longer, it doesn't happen.

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2012, 02:36:43 pm »

Is this regardless of the level of risk? In the case of an extremely high risk how can someone be sure that their result was conclusive between the 3-6 month period with only one test?

RapidRod · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2012, 02:48:38 pm »

Quote from: ConfusedAndDistraught on July 29, 2012, 02:36:43 pm

Is this regardless of the level of risk? In the case of an extremely high risk how can someone be sure that their result was conclusive between the 3-6 month period with only one test?

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

Andy Velez · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2012, 05:21:25 pm »

The exceptions for testing up to 6 months are when longterm intravenous drug use is involved or organ transplant or treatment for a serious illness such as cancer.

Otherwise a negative result at 3 months is conclusive.

Don't make this more complicated than it really is.

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2012, 09:57:46 pm »

How can you be so sure that The result will not change? I understand that most people test positive very quickly, but how can it be proved that only those under the circumstances you have mentioned could take longer to seroconvert? Especcially given that most people are not sure of their exact exposure date?

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:24:05 pm »

Quote from: ConfusedAndDistraught on July 29, 2012, 09:57:46 pm

How can you be so sure that The result will not change?

I am confused. Are you not sure of the date of your supposed risk?

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:34:04 pm »

No, sorry let me clarify. I know the exact date of my exposure at tested negative 4.5 months after. I am wondering how others can be sure that everyone (or everyone who does not suffer from ailments described above such as chemo, etc) will test positive by this time and not need to retest again at 6 months? Since many people do not know when they were exposed exactly, how can it be known that they tested within that time of exposure and that the majority will do the same? Sorry if thats confusing, i'm trying my best to clarify/explain my thoughts

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:40:32 pm »

Oh. Whew.

Frankly, it is the shockingly (not to me) large number of people who DO NOT know the exact date/moment of potential exposure that partially keeps the testing window at three months, and not lower.

I eagerly await the data that supports a six month timetable under any circumstances when the appropriate test is used for those in extreme circumstances.

The reason chemo extends the testing window is that certain chemotherapies completely suppress the immune system. Effectively destroy it, even. It takes some time for that system to build up enough to produce antibodies at all.

It is suggested that long term IV drug use also suppresses the immune system, but part of that paradigm must take into account the lack of true knowledge regarding the date of the last potential exposure.

In any case, you are reliable HIV negative. Cheers.

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2012, 02:09:50 am »

I would like to apologize for my PM, I just read the sticky post. Did not mean to break the rules.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2012, 07:59:46 am »

Duly noted.

Rather than attempting to get into the details of your lengthy PM, I will just say simply that you are reliably and conclusively HIV negative. Period.

Get on with your life. HIV is not your problem.

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2012, 07:38:37 pm »

Just wondering, I know I've read a bunch of times about the debate over whether or not simultaneous coinfetion of HCV and HEP will delay seroconversion..do you know of these cases were simply rare delayed seroconversion cases or if PEP usage was the reason for delay? I'd also like to know (if anyone knows this information) whether or not such cases happened recently or during early generation blood tests.

RapidRod · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2012, 10:22:03 pm »

Quote from: ConfusedAndDistraught on July 30, 2012, 07:38:37 pm

Just wondering, I know I've read a bunch of times about the debate over whether or not simultaneous coinfetion of HCV and HEP will delay seroconversion..do you know of these cases were simply rare delayed seroconversion cases or if PEP usage was the reason for delay? I'd also like to know (if anyone knows this information) whether or not such cases happened recently or during early generation blood tests.

HCV is hepatitis. HCV does not delay seroconversion.

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2012, 11:50:29 pm »

My mistake..I meant to write HCV and HIV..I know most people claim it does not delay seroconversion but in the studies of the HCWs with delayed seroconversion, do you believe that was because of their use of PEP or outdated testing if it had nothing to do with them being infected with both at the same time? (I'm unsure of the dates of these cases or the tests used, only that they happened and took much longer than any normal window period-claiming to take up to even a year in one case which I know would be unheard of now)

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:03:11 am »

If I thought for a moment that there was ANY valid reason for you to worry about your HIV status, I would have mentioned it.

I am pretty sure that the consensus of the moderating staff is that we've done our best for you, and you are - by our standards - reliably HIV negative.

Ann · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2012, 04:37:49 am »

Confused,

Coinfection with hiv and hcv has only ever been implicated in delayed seroconversion in a handful of injecting drug users (IDUs) who had poor immune systems due to living on the street and injecting street drugs, every day, for YEARS. I trust you do not fall into that category.

You never did tell us what you believe put you at risk for hiv infection, but regardless of what that was (or if it was even a risk in the first place) you are reliably and conclusively hiv negative.

Ah, I've just had a second look at your PM to JK that was reported yesterday and you were testing because you shared a needle with someone else. See, this is why we have a rule about using PMs to ask testing or transmission questions. If we're going to help you, we need the information here in the public forum, not in one or two PMs that have not been sent to all members. I removed your PM privilege, by the way.

While you're conclusively hiv negative, I suggest you also test for hep C. Hep C is MUCH more commonly transmitted through needle sharing. I should know, I used to have hcv for that very reason. Believe me, you don't want hcv. While it's true that one can be cured of hcv (I have been), the treatment is a nightmare. My year of treatment was easily the worst year of my life, and believe me, I've had some pretty bad years.

So, to sum up, you are conclusively hiv negative. However, you do need to test for hep C. It could be why you feel unwell. A test for hep C will be conclusive at this point.

Even if you do test hcv positive, you are still conclusively hiv negative. You have only experimented with injecting drugs; you have not been doing it for years while living on the streets. You do not have a pre-existing compromised immune system.

Ann

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:31:39 am »

I apologize again for my PMs..didn't read the sticky post until after I sent them. I tested negative for HEP at the same time as my HIV test. Going for a rapid test as well as another set of blood work today. The cases I was referring to though weren't IDU's...they were HCW's that had occupational exposures to patients with both HEP and HIV and their seroconversion was delayed. I don't know if this had to do with them using PEP or not.

Ann · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:37:34 am »

Confused,

Yes, it would have been the PEP. This situation also does not apply to you.

You are conclusively hiv and hcv negative and your further testing is overkill.

Ann

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2012, 01:34:04 pm »

Thank you guys for responding and giving me advice on this tough situation. I got the rapid test done yesterday morning and it was negative. The woman told me I shouldnt be worried considering how the majority test positive by now but that I should come back in Sept which would be a little over the 6 months to be sure. I am trying so hard to believe I am negative I want to just put this behind me but I find myself waking up thinking about it and dreaming about it- I can't stop thinking that my result is going to change in the next 2-3 weeks. I hate that my mind thinks this way but I dont know what to do

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:29:29 pm »

Ann, I do not mean to continue to question anyones answers or opinions but I wanted to ask you because you have experienced both of these diseases..HCV window period online says it is 2-4 months and I tested negative at 132 days. I know you and many others say either HCV or HIV would have shown up by now but how can I be so sure when many articles say testing for needle incidents is often said to be 6months post exposure? One HCW tested negatuve until 1 year post exposure in a coinfecion situation and although I'm sure she was on PEP, even PEP should not delay seroconversion that long. Thanks so much

Ann · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2012, 03:27:19 pm »

Confused,

You tested negative at 132 days and that's four and a half months. You are conclusively negative for both viruses.

The testing recommendation for HCWs is an out-dated CYA (cover your ass) policy that many hospitials still implement. It has no bearing on your situation.

You do not have hiv.

You do not have hcv.

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

ConfusedAndDistraught · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2012, 04:19:45 pm »

I sincerely apologize, Ann. I never meant to be bothersome or repetitive I just cannot shake these thoughts and symptoms from my mind and it's all I want to do. I hope you realize how appreciative I am of your advice as well as the others who have lent their opinions in this time of need for me

Andy Velez · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2012, 08:51:03 pm »

Stop all this drama, really. You're HIV negative. Cut it out and get on with your life or you are going to end up getting yourself a Time Out from this site.

HIV is not your problem. Period.

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Author Topic: Infection? (Read 8088 times)