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Author Topic: Concerned about possible exposure  (Read 3145 times)

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Offline mocca25

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Concerned about possible exposure
« on: March 15, 2012, 12:28:50 pm »
Hello everyone, I am glad to find a site where I can find information and support and would be very grateful of any feedback.

Here is my story. I am a male and have been living with my male friend for 6 years. In January he decided to apply for life insurance to help out a friend who was selling it. On February 2, 2012 his friend called him and told him his policy had been denied because there was a problem with his blood work. He freaked out and left to go take a rapid HIV test. He came back that night to tell me he tested positive. That test was later confirmed by western blot. My last sexual encounter with him was about two days prior to Feb 2 which I believe was Jan. 31. It was unprotected, I was on the receiving end and he did ejaculate inside :(

About 1-2 days after he found out his result (fri or sat morning) I noticed a white coating on my tongue which made me extremely worried....It is still there as of now. I wanted to go take a test for myself but was afraid because I already knew I would be positive too because he was. I decided to wait a while until I was mentally prepared to hear from someone that I was positive. I was very depressed and scared and even had gotten to the point where I was ready to accept this new reality.
 
On March 1, 2012 at 30 days 4.2 weeks after that last possible exposure, I had finally developed enough courage and was ready to go take my test. I figured that I need to know what's going on with my body and its best to know early. I went to take a rapid oraquick 20 minute test and it came back negative. I was very surprised and relieved at the same time and felt very good until I started to think about the "window period".

I am still very concerned and worried mainly because of the risk involved with that exposure and the appearance of the white coating that is still on my tongue which causes me to think it may be a candida infection. I'm so confused as to how that would appear so early after the possible exposure and then for me to test negative. I have been worried everyday after my test, wondering if I'm seroconverting later and will test positive later. Today marks 6.2 weeks since last possible exposure and two weeks later since my negative test result.

Can anyone please help me make some sense out of all of this, I'm confused, worried and scared and obsessed with thinking about this. How accurate was my result at 4.2 weeks and why does my tongue appear white so recent?

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2012, 12:46:40 pm »
First off don't self-diagnose yourself. Thrush is not HIV specific and does not come on that quick due to HIV. You can obtain your conclusive negative test result 3 months post exposure.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2012, 01:14:26 pm »
First of all, that white coating on your tongue is not an HIV specific occurence. And even if it is a candida infection, that too is not HIV specific.

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. So your negative result is encouraging. You can test again at 6 weeks. If you get a negative at that point then it means you will likely continue testing negative at 3 months.

Symptoms never tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. If you have any you should discuss them with your doctor to find the real cause.

Meantime now you and your boyfriend need to start using condoms everytime you have anal intercourse. No Exceptions. Condoms provide very effective protection against HIV transmission.

Good luck with your tests.
Andy Velez

Offline mocca25

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2012, 09:44:58 pm »
Thank you for your response. I will follow up with another test and go to the doctor for a complete exam concerning the oral issue. I have also been told something very similar from someone who works for the CDC. He said if I had been infected he would have expected my test to be positive when I took it because 1 month was ample time to have produced antibodies. I have been completely transformed by this whole situation and have learned a very valuable lesson.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 09:42:29 am »
OK, good.

And remember that you and your bf can continue to have an active and mutually enjoyable sex life. Just be sure to always without exceptions use condoms for anal intercourse and you will be effectively protected. 
Andy Velez

Offline mocca25

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2012, 11:56:50 am »
I went to get another test done today, which would be about the 7th week mark using the Oraquick advance test and the result was negative, however the nurse said I still need to come back in 6 months. That seems like way too long of a time when all I have researched stated much less than that.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2012, 12:47:19 pm »
That nurse needs to get a refreshener course in HIV infection. If you re-test at 3 months and get a negative then you regard that result as conclusive.

And with the negative you've just received at  7 weeks I am expecting you to continue to test negative. All but the very smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after a risk.

Andy Velez

Offline mocca25

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2012, 02:13:23 pm »
ok thank you so much, you all have been very informative and supportive and it's so good to have a very reliable site like this where people can come to. Thanks again for your help.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Concerned about possible exposure
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2012, 02:45:47 pm »
You're welcome. Glad you found the responses to be helpful.

Also want to remind you of the importance of using condoms everytime you and your bf maybe having anal intercourse. Use them consistently. No exceptions.
They provide very effective protection and will allow you to maintain that intimacy the safer way.
Andy Velez

 


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