Test after 5.5 weeks

[josefine]

Hi everyone,
 I would really appreciate your help!So here it goes....I had 3 risky contacts with one male(Im female).The 1st one took place on the 15th of March,the condom broke and he ejaculated in me,cos we were a bit tipsy and realised it was broken after he pulled it out.The 2nd time was on the 29th of March,I was very paranoid about it breaking again so we checked often and it did indeed break,but we noticed very fast(i think we didn't use it correctly).The 3rd time was on the 13th of April,the condom didn't break,it stayed intact the whole time.
All three times we had vaginal sex,oral sex(i performed it on him,he on me) and the 3rd time he fingered me.
 I went for a test 7.5 weeks(53days) after the 1st time,which means 5.5weeks(39days) after the 2nd cos i think this is my last possible exposure.There was no risk in the 3rd one,right?The test was negative.
I calmed down a bit after the test,but 1-2 days after it i had these symptoms:fever(99-99.5),one small swollen lymph node in the lest of my neck and stuffy nose.They dissapeared after 3-4 days,gradually,one after another.   
 My questions are:
1.Is there any risk in the 3rd situation?
2.How realiable is my 5.5 week test?
3.Is it possible to seroconvert as late as the 6th week?I generally have a strong immune system.
4.Do these symptoms sound like ARS?The stuffy nose?
5.Do you think i might turn positive on my 12th week test?I know this may not be a proper question,so feel free not to answer it,if it is such.
I will go to get tested soon,for my conclusive result,I'm very scared,though.Especially,because of the lymph
node,i dont remember having a swollen one before.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.Please,help me!

[Ann]

jose,

You only need to test over the first two incidents.

Your 5.5 week test result is unlikely to change, but MUST be confirmed at the three month point. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being 22 days.

While I don't expect your result to change, make sure you get it confirmed at three months.

Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.

Ann

[josefine]

Ann,
Thank you soo much for your quick response!I know i have to do the test again,and i will,but its so scary,even more now than the first time.Probably because of the symptoms.I now that symptoms are not reliable and stuff but still i cant get them out of my mind.I've read that runny/stuffy nose is not an ARS symptom but have you heard of someone having it during seroconversion?

[Andy Velez]

Because you're worried you're mistakenly focusing on just about anything that happens to your body. No, a stuffy and/or runny nose is not in anyway an ARS-specific occurrence.

Like Ann I expect you will continue to test negative. In the meantime, get busy with other things and the time will pass more quickly than you can possibly imagine.

Good luck with your test.

[josefine]

Hey guys,
Good news!I tested negative today!I want to thank you for taking the time to read my post and for answering me.
I wish you all the best!!!

[Andy Velez]

Congratulations on that happy test result. Make sure in the future you are using condoms that fit you properly and that you use one everytime you have vaginal or anal intercourse. No exceptions!

Cheers,

[josefine]

Hey guys,
It's me again.I don't want to become annoying, but there's something that worries me a little bit.Both tests i did were rapid and the counsellor waited for only 5 minutes to read the results.I saw my tests and there was only one red line in the control area but because the test was still pinkish is it possible that there might have been another line but very faint and hard to distinguish?I know i'm paranoid but please answer me.

[RapidRod]

Just because the background is pinkish doesn't mean a thing. If you only had a line on the control and not a line on the T then you are negative.

[josefine]

Thanks for the answer!I was worried because i thought that the background should be white in order to be able to see even the faintest line,but on the other hand,it should change colour immediately if there are any antibodies,right?I also want to mention that these tests had three lines-HIV 2,HIV 1 and C and the liquid passes in this order,the C line developing in the end.Why is it usually said to wait for 20min,for extra safety or it depends on the test?

[Ann]

jose,

The C line is the control line.

I suggest you go back to the place where you tested and ask them these specific questions. That's not our job.

I will tell you this though - places that do testing are there to diagnose hiv, which in turns helps slow its spread. Do you HONESTLY think they're not going to do the job correctly? They don't want to miss an infection any more than you do.

You are conclusively hiv negative and it's time you got on with your life. You will not be permitted to use this forum as a place to continually question your negative hiv status. Make sure you read the posting guidelines in the Welcome Thread and abide by them, please.

You do NOT have hiv!

Ann

[josefine]

Hi all,
I have a question,it's not about that past situation or about the test,it's more of a general "safe sex " question.So I was had sex with a guy,using a condom.It did not break,it didn't fell off.What concerns me is that the sperm wasn't exactly on the tip of the condom,but a little squished around (still near the tip).Does that carry any risk of HIV infection?Is it possiple for the sperm to come out of the condom somehow?Also during the second time,the guy told me that the condom felt too loose,so we stopped,it wasn't visibly broken.
All in all,were the condoms indeed effective?Do i need testing?
I hope you can help me,I don't mean to overpost,I'm just not very experienced and I was wondering about the condom effectiveness in such cases.
Thanks

[RapidRod]

No you don't need testing. The condom did what it was supposed to do.

[Andy Velez]

Sperm doesn't leak out of condoms even when it moves around in the condom. If a condom fails, it's very clear that has happened. It's not about little leaks or anything like that. A failed condom ends up looking like a frienged hula hoop on your penis.

You guys used a condom. That's exactly what you're supposed to do. They provide very effective protection.

You're worrying needlessly. And no, you don't need to get tested.

[josefine]

Thanks a lot for the answers,Andy and Rapid!I really appreciate it.
I'm not freaking out about it,though my mind is trying to play tricks on me,but i won't give in 
Wish you all the best!

[Andy Velez]

Yah, well when your mind churns out another bit of nonsense, just notice it, take a breath, let it go and get on with your life. That's how minds are.