2 negative results from Oraquick

[TheSoundOfMuzak]

Background info: 2.5 years ago I had a single sexual encounter with someone of questionable status, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Then, the past few months, I had been having weird skin issues, some places where my skin had lost pigmentation and others where strange lesions had sprung up. When I researched these issues on the internet, the phrase "autoimmune disorder such as HIV/AIDS" was appearing a lot. Recently I noticed 2 pea-sized lumps on my neck and self-diagnosed them as being either cysts or enlarged lymph nodes. Again, I ran into the word "HIV/AIDS" a lot while researching the issue. So I think back to my encounter and start to freak out. I thought about Facebook messaging the person and asking them their status, but then I decided against it.

I Google "Home HIV test" and then learn about Oraquick and I run to the pharmacy to buy it. I followed the instructions and came out negative, I think. A thin, faint line on the C; no line on the T.

The only thing I found weird is that I'm not getting as robust a line as it shows on the package.

It shows a robust purple line:




I've taken the test twice, 1 month apart, and I did everything perfectly both times, and the line was faint both times.

I took a picture of my second test:




I'm just wondering whether I'm not responding properly to the swab test or whether it's normal for the line to be thin and faint compared to the picture on the package. (By the way, it looked a little less faint in real life than it does in that picture.)

I've already dropped $80 to try and assuage my fears ....

[RapidRod]

Background info: 2.5 years ago I had a single sexual encounter with someone of questionable status, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Then, the past few months, I had been having weird skin issues, some places where my skin had lost pigmentation and others where strange lesions had sprung up. When I researched these issues on the internet, the phrase "autoimmune disorder such as HIV/AIDS" was appearing a lot. Recently I noticed 2 pea-sized lumps on my neck and self-diagnosed them as being either cysts or enlarged lymph nodes. Again, I ran into the word "HIV/AIDS" a lot while researching the issue. So I think back to my encounter and start to freak out. I thought about Facebook messaging the person and asking them their status, but then I decided against it.

I Google "Home HIV test" and then learn about Oraquick and I run to the pharmacy to buy it. I followed the instructions and came out negative, I think. A thin, faint line on the C; no line on the T.

The only thing I found weird is that I'm not getting as robust a line as it shows on the package.

It shows a robust purple line:




I've taken the test twice, 1 month apart, and I did everything perfectly both times, and the line was faint both times.

I took a picture of my second test:




I'm just wondering whether I'm not responding properly to the swab test or whether it's normal for the line to be thin and faint compared to the picture on the package. (By the way, it looked a little less faint in real life than it does in that picture.)

I've already dropped $80 to try and assuage my fears ....

If you followed the directions and read the results at 20 mins and before the 40 min cut off, you are conclusively negative. It's when you don't see the Control Line is when the test is faulty.

[Jeff G]

What was your risk ? . The test you took are conclusive that you do not have HIV providing its been at least 3 months since you had unprotected anal or vaginal sex or shared IV drug rigs with an infected person in that time period .

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!