POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 04:26:57 pm

Title: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 04:26:57 pm
Almost 7 weeks ago, I had a gay oral encounter with another man. We made out and I sucked his testicles. I also licked the bottom part of his shaft. I'm worried that precum may have somehow dripped down his shaft and got into my mouth. I don't remember tasting anything nor seeing precum but it was kinda dark.

Symptoms:
11 days post exposure - itchy throat (not sore) and a canker sore on gum
23 days post exposure - mild joint aching (I am not sure if this is from sleeping weirdly as I bend my arm and put my hand beneath my head when I lie down)

For a week the joint aching was gone. It never really hurt to begin with, it was just noticeable and annoying as I could lift and do anything with my arm.

It came back a week later again after I woke up. It stayed for 3 days and left.

A week and a half after that, so almost 6 weeks, I felt some back and shoulder and neck pain. Very mild, but noticeable. It could be from my heavy backpack or my undeniable stress.

I also feel my elbow paining again here and there and that's been about over 3 weeks now.

I have no idea if my symptoms sound like ARS but it's the only reason I'm doubting these tests:

21 days - DUO TEST NEGATIVE
28 days - DUO TEST NEGATIVE
42 days (6 weeks) - DUO TEST NEGATIVE

Am I okay?  :(
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: Ann on December 11, 2011, 04:30:30 pm
Lot,

Your tests are coming back with negative results because you did not have a risk for hiv infection.

Ann
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 04:57:56 pm
Lot,

Your tests are coming back with negative results because you did not have a risk for hiv infection.

Ann

I completely understand that as I've seen what you guys say about oral sex however... from your studies... why on earth would couples agree to risk their lives in order to see if oral sex is a risk?

What drives me crazy is the fact that my arm hurts randomly here and there and it's been over 3 weeks. I don't understand. Now my neck hurts at times and my back.

I heard ARS symptoms can occur up to 6 weeks and I'm practically there.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 05:00:46 pm
Lot,

Your tests are coming back with negative results because you did not have a risk for hiv infection.

Ann

Secondly, how accurate are my tests anyway? What are my chances of being falsely negative 3 TIMES (when p24 antigen is at its peak at 28 days, and is even detectable at 21 days)?

The Ontario, Canada guidelines for the test state this combo screen is 100% sensitive. What does that mean? I can't imagine how I couldn't be detected all 3 times as either antibodies or antigen would be present but I'm worried maybe they weren't.

All the doctors at MedHelp GUARANTEE that after 4 weeks, it is IMPOSSIBLE to have HIV with a negative DUO. In Vancouver, and all over the world, specialists have claimed that 6 week DUO is 99.9% conclusive.

Somehow my mind is still driving me crazy!
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 05:03:52 pm
There are no tests marketed or sold to give a conclusive negative test result earlier than 3 months and like over there and here you were advised you never had a risk of contracting HIV.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 05:06:46 pm
There are no tests marketed or sold to give a conclusive negative test result earlier than 3 months and like over there and here you were advised you never had a risk of contracting HIV.

Well what you say goes against what CDC says
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 05:33:14 pm
There are no tests marketed or sold to give a conclusive negative test result earlier than 3 months and like over there and here you were advised you never had a risk of contracting HIV.

You can't say there is NO RISK whatsoever. I see you're very persistent on saying so. You're telling me even if there was sufficient blood in the mouth, and the man's sperm viral load was high, there's no risk? That doesn't even sound right.

Trust me when I tell you I have read all of the studies you all have posted. And like I asked earlier, I don't know why people would willingly put their lives at risk by performing oral sex for A STUDY.

Regardless, I'd like to know if I can believe my results.

Even if we say the risk is 1/10000 (who knows how they got that number), how can a 100% sensitive test not pick up p24 antigen 3 times! 3!?!

I reeeeeeeeeeaaalllyyy want to believe my results and stop panicking but with my symptoms matching up with ARS and no clear cut reason as to why my arms tingle or pain, or why my neck is sore, worry me.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 06:15:54 pm
Sure I can, HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host. Saliva contains over a dozen different enzymes that inhibits HIV transmission.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 06:19:59 pm
But it does not die right away. It can take a few minutes and I don't believe I waited a few minutes
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 06:22:51 pm
HIV is not alive, HIV is active or inactive.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 11, 2011, 06:32:44 pm
Thanks, Rapid. I was just about to type a similar statement.

Lottery, I honestly don't understand your antagonism.

Trouble finding people in serodiscordant relationships who choose to have unprotected oral sex? Really? The vast majority of people in serodiscordant relationships don't use condoms for oral sex. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of people PERIOD do not use condoms for oral sex.

Working within the urban gay community for over a decade as a safer sex educator, I can more than attest to that fact.

Insofar as disagreeing with various plot points presented by the CDC, I might remind you that it remains a governmental entity, and is absolutely rife with outdated and obsolete information it has not seen fit to update or strike from it's pages. Change comes at a glacial pace to that particular site, especially change which may appear to be sex-positive.

If you have a fear of giving blowjobs without using a condom, then by all means use a condom. But we base our risk assessments on solid scientific evidence, evidence far more solid than hysterics or assumption.

If you require me to repost my scientific evidence, then I will be happy to do so. But I cannot imagine the purpose of entering into a hostile argument based on fear or soft science.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 06:42:38 pm
Would you believe me if I came back positive?
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 06:44:58 pm
Do my symptoms even match up with ARS...?
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 06:47:31 pm
HIV has no specific symptoms and you are not having ARS symptoms.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 11, 2011, 06:57:21 pm
ARS involves an array of symptoms which come as the result of a human immune system developing antibodies against HIV.

These symptoms can range from non-existent to debilitating. They usually last a week to ten days, though in rare cases they can go on longer.

This is why we do not discuss symptoms on this site. There ARE NO SPECIFIC ARS symptoms.

As for testing positive over the incident you describe? It is not within the realm of scientific possibility.

We aren't even having an oral sex conversation here. YOU DID NOT CONTACT ejaculate. You say there is the "possibility that some pre-ejaculate might have dripped down his shaft into your mouth."

Even if that happened, HIV could NOT remain viable (infectious) during that journey. It is FAR too fragile. SO I fail to understand why we are even having an oral sex discussion when, in fact, your "exposure"was not even at a level that merits an oral sex discussion, controversial or not.

You WILL NOT get HIV over the incident as you describe it.

You say that you read all the scientific stuff we post. Surely you read the article highlighting the unreliable nature of patient report? The serodiscordant studies managed to skirt that issue by having couples that, like many if not most serodiscordant couples, engaged in unprotected oral sex.

Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 06:58:25 pm
Buddy, they're here though and I can't find another explanation for them!
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 06:59:58 pm
See your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms, they have nothing to do with HIV.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:00:57 pm
What about prolonged french kissing? I just don't understand what I feel.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 11, 2011, 07:02:09 pm
What about prolonged french kissing? I just don't understand what I feel.

Prolonged french kissing does not transmit HIV.

HIV is transmitted by unprotected anal and vaginal sex.

Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:02:27 pm
What I am saying is -- WHAT IF I LICKED PRECUM OFF THE SHAFT ???????
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:03:15 pm
That question was answered above.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 11, 2011, 07:05:36 pm
Buddy, they're here though and I can't find another explanation for them!

I urge you to work with your physician to find the cause for your symptoms. Yours come and go, which ARS decidedly does not. Yours are related to joint pain, which is NOT ever associated with ARS.

What you have done, by your own telling of the events, rules out ARS as the cause for your pain.

BTW, you mentioned a canker sore on your gum. Was it painful? If not, you just described a syphilis chancre. And syphilis, unlike HIV, is HIGHLY infectious and easily transmitted through the activities you describe.

Would be a shame to chase HIV for months and months while the real culprit is something far easier to treat. Not that we don't see that here all the time.


Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:07:49 pm
Yes it did hurt. My gums bled at first, and then I looked at it a little later, and it did in fact hurt.

So it would not come for 3 days, disappear for a week, come again, disappear for a good 3 weeks? Would I feel the joint pain ALL THE TIME EVERYDAY??
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 11, 2011, 07:09:15 pm
Yes it did hurt. My gums bled at first, and then I looked at it a little later, and it did in fact hurt.

So it would not come for 3 days, disappear for a week, come again, disappear for a good 3 weeks? Would I feel the joint pain ALL THE TIME EVERYDAY??

Nope, joint pain is not an ARS specific symptom. ARS, when it happens, is a flu-like situation that, once resolved, does not happen again.

Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:09:57 pm
What are flu like symptoms?
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:11:40 pm
What are flu like symptoms?
You've never had the flu?
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:16:53 pm
I have no idea... I don't think I've ever been really really sick
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:20:13 pm
Anyway as you've been advised a number of times that you have not an exposure, the answers to your guestion "can I move on with my Life?" The answer is yes.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:22:54 pm
No how do I know I have resolved these flu symptoms and am not going through them right now?
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:24:26 pm
You could be because this is flu season and you've never had an exposure.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:34:12 pm
Okay so wouldn't I feel sick, or have a bad sneeze/cough, feel nauseous, shiver a lot? :S cause I feel none of that
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:35:19 pm
Enough,

■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.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:45:41 pm
Can a Moderator - Ann ... Andy ... help!
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:48:30 pm
Ann has already replied to you reread your thread.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 07:54:56 pm
Teak, stick to MedHelp. I don't come on here for you. Sorry.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 07:56:31 pm
Have a good day.
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: lotterynumber on December 11, 2011, 08:05:50 pm
Same to you too!

I shall wait for Ann/Andy. Tata!
Title: Re: CAN I MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE?
Post by: Ann on December 11, 2011, 11:13:41 pm
Lot,

Hey! It's me, Ann. MOVE ON.

You do not have hiv.

Bye!

Ann