POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: pinkadam on November 08, 2006, 10:31:56 pm
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Hi
I was diagnosed with HIV four months back.
How to find out when i was infected.I had unpreotected sex with multiple partners from long time(over 5 years). What is the best way to find out when i was infected.
Tony
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Tony, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You should find lots of support here.
I was diagnosed in January of this year and after my first appointment with the ID specialist in late February I asked if there was any way to know how long I had been infected. I was told that there was really no way to know. Based on my very first numbers the speculation was that it could have been several years. Yet, I had a negative HIV test about 5 years ago. My numbers actually improved dramatically prior to starting meds. Other experts that I have posed the same question to simply say there is really no way to know for sure unless you have been getting tested very regularly. They said that everyone's body reacts differently so right now there are no really consistent "time" markers to pinpoint the time of past infection.
That's what I've been told by people who are supposed to know.
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Hi
I was diagnosed with HIV four months back.
How to find out when i was infected.I had unpreotected sex with multiple partners from long time(over 5 years). What is the best way to find out when i was infected.
Tony
There really is no way to tell exactly when you were infected. There can be speculation based on lab results (for example if you just found out and you happened to have numbers consistent with "full blown AIDS", then it would be likely that you've had it a while since people don't tend to go downhill immediately), but other than that you just cannot know. Another way to speculate is if you were tested regularly, but still that would only provide an estimate.
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Hi Tony,
This is a question that understandably comes up from time to time. And the bottom line is that most of the time there is no answer, especially when there have been multiple partners over an extended period of time. You may have been infected a long while back and been one of those who simply didn't have any noticeable symptoms at the time. Or it may have been more recently and again, you simply didn't have any reaction that caught your attention.
The most important thing is the here and now -- getting yourself a good doctor with whom you can develop a good working partnership to keep you healthy and doing whatever else you need to do so you can get on with your life.
You're always welcome here to ask questions and to discuss anything that's on your mind.
Cheers,
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I think this is interesting. Most posts here seem to contradict what my ID told me (and realize that it may have been her effort to give me some sense of understanding progression). After my first labs (which showed VL of 30,000 and a CD4 of 480) she said that I had probably contracted the virus 3-4 years ago. I did feel good knowing that, but then my next labs show VL of 7,000 and a CD4 of 460 - which was an odd dip on a number of levels, especially since my VL dropped way down but CD4s took a slight dip.
I'm sure that no one knows for sure, but assumed from my doc's quick claims of an approximate window that it was somewhat feasible to determine infection point.
Anyone else had similar estimates from their ID specialists? Or do most avoid trying to make such an educated guess?
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With a CD4 count of 300-500, 3-4 years' is a safe guess, based on average rates of CD4 decline. But truthfully tis just that, a guess.
- matt
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I know when I seroconverted and that was nine and a half years ago. However, looking at my numbers (I'm not, and never have been, on meds), most docs would guess I'd only been infected for two or three years max.
So yeah, all they can do is guess.
Ann
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I think this is interesting. Most posts here seem to contradict what my ID told me (and realize that it may have been her effort to give me some sense of understanding progression). After my first labs (which showed VL of 30,000 and a CD4 of 480) she said that I had probably contracted the virus 3-4 years ago. I did feel good knowing that, but then my next labs show VL of 7,000 and a CD4 of 460 - which was an odd dip on a number of levels, especially since my VL dropped way down but CD4s took a slight dip.
I'm sure that no one knows for sure, but assumed from my doc's quick claims of an approximate window that it was somewhat feasible to determine infection point.
Anyone else had similar estimates from their ID specialists? Or do most avoid trying to make such an educated guess?
I know exactly what day I was infected, so no one needed to estimate. It will always be a guess because not all progress the same. For example, I had numbers like the ones you said above within 2 years, but than again my numbers went to pot faster than what is considered average. I think the best way to have an idea is to get tested regularly.
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I thought I was sure of when, but after reading this I wonder.
I had no penetrative sex over the summer of 2005, last of any type of contact was early September, 2005.
Mid Oct, 2005 I had someone attempt entry, but it wasn't working. A bit of poking mainly , but he remained back there and ejaculated on my lower back. The night of Nov 16th, on my way home from the gym, I experienced a feeling of being tired like never before. Not sleepy, just really tired. Next day, I was tired, and had to leave work as I couldn't keep my head up. I had a fever of about 101, on and of for two days. Saturday I woke up feeling fine. Sunday I had white spots on my tongue and went to the doc. She suggested I get HIV test. Dec 10th, I tested positive. First #'s (after 2 months) 379/57000. Doc said that since I was newly infected, the #'s would improve as my body was then fighting initial infection. MY #'s have inproved a bit since then, so I assumed he was correct.
The guy who I believed infected me claims he has tested negative since. Do I believe him? I can't say I do because he's been back here 3 times since then.
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Hey Pink
My name is Janet, Although it is hard to pinpoint,I was diagnosed in 05. I had gotten real sick to the point that I could not get out of bed.My blood platelettes had dropped down real low so I was sent to a blood and cancer DR. They gave me every test under the sun.That was the last test hiv test I was gonna have a bone marrow biopsy and then I said well I haven't had an hiv test in ten years,So he gives me the test along with other tests.Then I got the news.
I went to an ID DR had blood work and it showed that I was in full blown.I don't even remember the #'s I was still in shock. Anyway I asked my doc how long did he think I had it for and he said there wasn't any kind of test to pinpoint it,But we figured between 8 and 9 years. Only because I was in a serious relationship for about 6 yrs he is now my husband and he's been tested four times and is still neg.But before I met my husband I had a 12yr relationship and after that I was sleeping around between those two relationships.So I can pinpoint it but it burns my ass not knowing who did this to me.
Anyway nice meeting you and I hope to see you back
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My docs swear that I must have been infected for five years or more...since I had 145 CD4's at diagnosis and VL off the charts. HOWEVER: I know that I had negative blood tests as recently as the beginning of 2002, and I was diagnosed December of 2004. I can also just about pinpoint when I did that whole conversion sickness business...approx February of 2002...pretty quickly after the negative HIV test I had. And I do remember going out & messing around shortly after that negative result...which just goes to show how a negative result is only as good as your last prior time window before exposure. So my plunge was relatively quick. The docs seem so skeptical of that report from me- which kinda makes me miffed a bit. Just does. In any case, I never even bothered to try to pick it apart and come up with some specific moment of infection. When did it happen? When I was out tramping around. That's about all I needed to acknowledge about it.
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Hey All---I was just diagnosed two weeks ago today. My CD4 was 560. Don't know my VL results yet. I had been having a high fever for weeks which turned out not to be a seroconversion reaction but a bacterial infection in my gut and urinary tract. Fortunately Bactrim seems to have knocked it as the fevers stopped when I started the meds.
Back last spring I was really sick with acute hep b. I mean it was kicking my ass. I retested the same time I had my hiv test and I am negative for hep now so my body was successful to get rid of the antigens. My doctor thinks I probably was infected with both at the same time and could have had symptoms of both hiv and hepb. Last time I was tested was Oct. 2005 and I was neg. So that pretty much narrowed it down to two partners anyway, both of whom told me they were neg btw.
I am having a great Christmas, I hope you all are too. I say my gratefuls and that includes you!!!!
Rick in Central Oregon
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My t-cells were in the mid-900 range in 1999. Never any meds at this point. That was also, 14 years into HIV infection. However, from 1999 to 2003 they managed to drop down very rapidly to 16, which is where I started treatment.
Ray
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In my case, I was tested at intervals of no more than three months and more often monthly as I was a participant in the vaccine trials. I also had a terrible case of primary infection. I was sick for two weeks with the most intense flu ever exactly three weeks after my exposure. My VL at the time of diagnosis, 09/01/06, was >35million and my CD4s had dropped to 213. Currently, with no meds and only natural remedies (good food, multivitamins, etc.), I have achieved CD4s of 894 and a VL of <74,000 and dropping. The only thing these numbers prove is that numbers can tell you nothing about time frame.
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Yeah, my window could have been from ten years ago to I don't know how close to now. Although with my numbers I would suspect that I've had it for at least 4-6 years. The only sure way is to be tested regulary to establish little windows of possible exposure. The numbers are weird. My viral load is on the low side at 23,000 and my t cells are on the very low side at 97. There are people who take a while to get sick and others that can develope full blown AIDS quickly. Certainly there has been a lot of attention on heavy partiers progressing to AIDS sooner when they are not on treatment. There is also a theory that the aggressiveness of the virus varies by strain. Add to that stress or trauma in life and well there are lots of factsors. I for one had a horrible year this year, where there was great pain, helplessness and anger. And this was before my diagnosis. So I believe this hastened my progression. I never experience seroconversion. I have worked as a teacher for the past 14 years around a host of germ factories and never got flus or anything. I started getting sick noticeably in the past 8 months where I have lost from 25 to 30 pounds depending on the day I weigh myself. I was fit to begin with so it has been mostly muscle mass. I guess we can all just say that you can guestimate but never be really sure, especially if you never really new the status of people you slept with in the past.
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when i found out one year ago my cd4 was 92 , my viral load 730000. my doc said it had to be infected for about 5-8 years. i thaught NO WAY!!! until i saw someone i had been with in my docs office!!!! i was with him 8 years ago... they were right on target. i just feel horrible that i might of passed it on in a few relationships i had after that. but at least now i know. im doing well at a cd4 of 529 and a undetectable viral load...
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Hello Pinkadam,
It is unfortunate that you've tested positive but I would like to welcome you to the forum. My ID doctor seem to think that I may have been positive for 10 years and did not know it. I didn't have any noticiable symptoms, but he is basing his theory on the last time I was tested which was 1995. I found out on August 10, 2006 that I was HIV Postive. My first set of labs were cd4: 240/VL 39,000. Honestly, knowing when and where you were infected is water under a bridge. The important thing is to find a good doctor and learn as much as you can about this disease. I too had many sexual partners over the years and most of the time I had unprotected anal intercourse, so anyone could have given it to me. All I wish is that whomever gave it to me would have been man enough to tell me about his status. I am not angry at anyone, but I think that is apart of being responsible is letting your sex partner know your status. But then again, he may not have known his status.
Hi
I was diagnosed with HIV four months back.
How to find out when i was infected.I had unpreotected sex with multiple partners from long time(over 5 years). What is the best way to find out when i was infected.
Tony
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Whilst i hadnt asked my nurse about finding out who infected me, i do remember that on my first meeting with her she did explain general things i believe she explains to all people on the first meeting. during this general blurb, i do recall her saying that it is possible to identify through various medical tests if a particular person infected you, this was in the context of hiv and the law so i assume these tests are used at the discretion of the government/prosecution and not available to the common public. i will ask the nurse again about this to confirm. maybe she was just trying to scare me into not having sex anymore lol.
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Some know some do not. I abstined from sex for over a year and then met my partner who was HIV+. That was very late 1989 and although I did know he was positive, I used protection. But the item failed and 12/16/89. I know I got it.
Three weeks later I got the worst flu and for the first time in six years called in sick to my job. I waited until July of '90 to get a test at the ASO and bingo, I was pos. Who do I blame? Nobody. It is and I accept.
I did not take meds until after an episode of PCP, kidney failure and C-diff in 2001. I was told then I had full blown AIDS. Guess what? It is 2007 and I am still here and so is my partner of 17/18 years- we still argue about the date. :D
My point is once you know you have HIV, educate yourself, use this forum and ask questions like you are doing. Aids and HIV are not the end all. Life is not over, for me it made me see myself and I am learning I am OK.
You will make many friends here and each day is new.
Cheers!
Roger
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I have never had the question of when I got infected but why it took so long to show if that makes sense. From the time I found out the person was infected which was in 92, I got tested faithfully but it didn't show up til 97. I had been told that it was unusual which makes me wonder if I have a tame strain of the virus, for lack of the medical term.
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I believe I was infected in July 2006 and my diagnosis was in Dec 2006. All I had was a slight fever.
My VL is 8745 and my T-cell is 744 so it's a recent infection. I have not engaged in unprotected sex since July 2006.
Could the strain I got infected with be "small" or "weak"?
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The progress of the disease varies so much from person to person, strain to strain, situation to situation that no matter what people tell you, it's still a guess. And a guess is worth about as much as a lottery ticket.
You've been having unprotected sex with multiple partners for five years. How about assuming five years and acting accordingly.
I suggest you focus on healing yourself emotionally and physically. Focusing on how you got it (we all know that) and from whom (not that easy to tell if you had multiple partners) is really not a conducive part of the healing process.
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great numbers newyorkkat, after i got infected i was in hospital for a week, so i guess a worser seroconversion spells worse cell counts (mine hovering around 218 despite recent infection)
only question i have though, nurse said my numbers would get better as i get over the initial stage of infection, well its a long time since may 06 now.... and my numbers still low, is it too hopeful to expect improvement now?