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HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Sunnie423 on December 27, 2011, 12:23:09 pm

Title: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on December 27, 2011, 12:23:09 pm
 Well it all started the first week of September, I had unprotected sex with a friend of mine from the beginning of September till the end of October, We had talked about STD testing and we had both just came out of long term monogamous relationships, he was last tested in June of this year, and he said everything was negative. I was tested in February of this year after i had my baby, and everything was Negative then. During our fling, I met someone who I let preform oral me twice, maybe three times. I know not a very wise decision, and I have read that it's no risk, but my DR. told me it carries a small risk. Well anyway I was having some issues in the end of October which lead me to go and get STD tested, I was diagnosed with Mucoplurent  Cervicitis, however all my STD tests came back Negative, and I wasn't convinced and was retested for everything, but all was still negative, I questioned both guys and they both stuck to the all their STD screens were negative. My question is I tested in early November which was about 9 weeks since my first exposure, and 1 week since my last. It came back Nonreactive, I then tested again at 14-15 weeks past my first exposure, and 7 weeks since my last. It came back Nonreactive. I have had so many symptoms since my last test sore throat, fatigue,  i have been bruising easily, muscle soreness, and the feeling that I have a lump in my throat that won't go away, I have also suffered from depression, I have 2 small children, and the thought of having something that could take me away from them, I know my actions were extremely stupid, and now me my ex-boyfriend are back together, and after my test came back the first time we had unprotected sex a couple times. This was before I knew anything about a window period for HIV testing, I'm so terrified that I have given him something. I guess my question is what are the chances that a 7 week negative since my last exposure is gonna come back positive at 12 weeks. My DR. said that my test was conclusive, and that she thought it was guilt eating at me, and to just move on with my life, but I just can't seem to. I thank you in advance for any advice you can give.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: RapidRod on December 27, 2011, 12:26:33 pm
You don't have HIV.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on December 27, 2011, 12:33:25 pm
Thank you for your quick response. I think my best bet will to be to seek professional counseling so I can move on. I believe I will still test at 12 weeks to try and give me peace of mind. I know one thing stay away from GOOGLE!!! lol, It will have you thinking you have anything just based on symptoms.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on December 27, 2011, 02:18:47 pm
Sunnie,

The only risk for hiv infection you have had was the unprotected intercourse. Provided you have tested negative at three months or more past the last incident of unprotected intercourse with your "fling", then you do not have hiv...

...providing of course that the "ex" you are now back together with was not also having unprotected intercourse with others during your break. If he was having unprotected sex with others, then he should be tested as well. If he's negative, then you won't need to have further hiv testing at this time. He should also be tested for all the other, more easily transmitted STIs.

Mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) isn't always caused by STIs. Non-infectious causes of cervicitis can include intrauterine devices, contraceptive diaphragms, and allergic reactions to spermicides or latex condoms or even sex toys. It can also be caused by other bacteria that "innocently" finds its way into your vagina. (such as wiping from back to front instead of the other way around)

That lump in your throat is most likely to be caused by anxiety. Try to calm down and yes, counselling will help with that.

Ann

Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: RapidRod on December 27, 2011, 02:27:13 pm
Sunnie,

The only risk for hiv infection you have had was the unprotected intercourse. Provided you have tested negative at three months or more past the last incident of unprotected intercourse with your "fling", then you do not have hiv...

...providing of course that the "ex" you are now back together with was not also having unprotected intercourse with others during your break. If he was having unprotected sex with others, then he should be tested as well. If he's negative, then you won't need to have further hiv testing at this time. He should also be tested for all the other, more easily transmitted STIs.

Mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) isn't always caused by STIs. Non-infectious causes of cervicitis can include intrauterine devices, contraceptive diaphragms, and allergic reactions to spermicides or latex condoms or even sex toys. It can also be caused by other bacteria that "innocently" finds its way into your vagina. (such as wiping from back to front instead of the other way around)

That lump in your throat is most likely to be caused by anxiety. Try to calm down and yes, counselling will help with that.

Ann
I then tested again at 14-15 weeks past my first exposure, and 7 weeks since my last. It came back Nonreactive. The second exposure was oral sex.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on December 27, 2011, 02:44:50 pm
I then tested again at 14-15 weeks past my first exposure, and 7 weeks since my last. It came back Nonreactive. The second exposure was oral sex.

It wasn't clear to me if her 14-15 week test was after her first or last incident of unprotected intercourse with her fling. That's why I said "provided... yadayadayada". :)

Ann
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: RapidRod on December 27, 2011, 02:45:56 pm
It wasn't clear to me if her 14-15 week test was after her first or last incident of unprotected intercourse with her fling. That's why I said "provided... yadayadayada". :)

Ann
;)
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on December 27, 2011, 02:52:57 pm
No, the oral sex was during the end of September- beginning of October . What I meant was I tested 7 weeks past the last time I had unprotected sex with my fling, which was about 14-15 weeks since we had unprotected sex for the first time we carried on from the beginning of September until the end of October. I tested with my DR. 7 weeks past the last time I had unprotected sex with my fling, which was almost 2 weeks ago. The oral sex thing was the end of September- beginning of October with a different guy during which I was having unprotected sex with the fling. I was the receiver. But my biggest concern was the chances of a 7 week negative HIV test coming back positive at 12 Weeks. Also I forgot to put in my initial post that I have also been waking up with night sweats since the first test was done back in November. But I also read that anxiety and stress can cause that too. I know you can't base HIV on symptoms, but, I afraid I'm that one in a million person. I also wanted to know if my having Poly cystic Ovarian syndrome would effect my results. I am on birth control to keep it in check.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: RapidRod on December 27, 2011, 03:02:24 pm
Then refer back to what Ann advised you, sorry for the misinterpretation.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on December 27, 2011, 03:09:25 pm
Sunnie,

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 only 22 days. A negative at six weeks (or more) is highly unlikely to change at the three month point.

You do need to confirm your results at the three month point.

PCO will not affect your test results one way or the other. Neither will the MPC. The treatments for either will also not affect your results.

I'd like to repeat what I said about your ex-now-current boyfriend being tested if he was also having intercourse with others during your break. If he has, he needs to test for hiv and ALL the other STIs as well. You two should be using condoms until you've both tested negative for everything.

Ann
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on December 27, 2011, 03:20:25 pm
Thank you very much for the reassurance. He stated that he hasn't been with anyone, but that he will be going to get tested, I just hate that I was so stupid, and just went along with not using a condom. I honestly figured since he said he was HIV and any other STD negative I believed him. When I called him and told him everything was negative, he was like I knew it would be. But I just cant shake the feelings that I have, I guess it's more of a guilt/ anxiety thing, because anytime I Google symptoms, I end up with them. I will defiantly be going back in a few more weeks for my final test. Does it matter if it's 12 weeks, or 13. I'm not sure if that will make any difference?
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on December 27, 2011, 04:10:41 pm
Sunnie,

Twelve weeks, thirteen weeks, it doesn't matter. Either will be conclusive.

Ann
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 14, 2012, 01:35:46 pm
I think I have royally screwed up again, I had protected vaginal sex with a guy the other night,but he preformed unprotected oral sex on me for about a minute or two during sex at the most before I stopped him. I was kinda upside down in a sense, and and i am worried that his saliva entered into my vagina and0 I am terrified he may have given me something, I had vaginal burning immediately after sex. I keep hearing that I wasn't at risk for anything, and then I read that I am. I posted on another forum, and the responder suggested that I not even test for anything not hiv or any other stds, because of an extremely low risk. Should I test for everything, and how long should I wait? I know you guys deal with hiv risks. But i didn't know where else to go, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Andy Velez on January 14, 2012, 03:21:38 pm
Receiving oral sex is NOT a risk for HIV transmission. You are worrying needlessly about your latest incident.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 14, 2012, 03:24:29 pm
Thank you for the response. Would you recommended testing for other stds due to this incident? If so how long should I wait?   
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Andy Velez on January 14, 2012, 03:31:56 pm
Our focus here is strictly on HIV. In general we recommend that anyone who is sexually active ought to have a full STD panel done at least annually. If you are having symptoms of any sort that is something to discuss with your doctor.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 14, 2012, 03:44:18 pm
Thank you.
One last question. Would an hiv antibody test at 11 weeks 4 days be conclusive? Or do I need to retest in a couple weeks?
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Andy Velez on January 14, 2012, 05:07:18 pm
3 months is the recommended testing point. I wouldn't expect a negative at 11 weeks + some days to change at 3 months. You have to decide what you're comfortable living with in terms  of a negative result.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on January 15, 2012, 04:19:30 am
Sunny,

Saliva is NOT infectious, so of course you had no risk. A test at any time will be conclusive for you.

Hiv does NOT cause vaginal burning. Many other things can, but not hiv. If this continues to be a problem, see a doctor.

In fact, if the condom he wore had spermicidal lubricant on it (many condoms do), it could have been the spermicide causing the burning sensation. It does this to many women, me included. You may want to buy your own supply of condoms that do not have spermicide on them. Read the package before buying.

Again, you have NOT had a risk for hiv infection so a test at any time will be conclusive.

Ann
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 15, 2012, 04:26:33 pm
Thank you for responding Ann. I was asking about the 11 weeks 4 days testing for my previous incident. The one at the top of this thread, I am still inside the widow period. I was wondering if a test at 11 weeks 4 days would be conclusive, or should I just wait till the 12 week mark? Oh, and the burning has stopped I went to the dr and he said he thought I was allergic to the spermicide or the condom its self, but wasn't entirely sure. which one, and didn't see a need to do any testing to find out which. He said the same thing you said find a condom that doesn't have spermicide, or isn't latex, any suggestions? and again THANK YOU so much for answering my post, I truly do appreciate all the work that you guys do!!! :)
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Ann on January 16, 2012, 10:00:37 am
Sunny,

The only effective alternative to latex condoms is polyurethane. The most common brand is Avanti. They're a little more pricey than latex, but if you have problems with latex, they're well worth it. You can buy condoms on-line and you can often get them cheaper than in a shop. They come in discrete packaging so nobody will know what's been sent to you.

While the recommended window period is twelve weeks, your result would not have changed in the remaining three days. You can test again if you need that reassurance to put this behind you, but you really don't need more testing at this time. You don't need to test again until it's time for a yearly, routine sexual health check up.

Ann
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 18, 2012, 05:54:23 pm
Just a quick question. I am currently on macrobid it's an antibiotic for a UTI, will it affect the results of my 12 weeks HIV test that I'm going for tomorrow?
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: RapidRod on January 18, 2012, 06:23:04 pm
Just a quick question. I am currently on macrobid it's an antibiotic for a UTI, will it affect the results of my 12 weeks HIV test that I'm going for tomorrow?
No.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: jkinatl2 on January 18, 2012, 06:23:48 pm
Just a quick question. I am currently on macrobid it's an antibiotic for a UTI, will it affect the results of my 12 weeks HIV test that I'm going for tomorrow?

Your HIV test will not be affected by that medication.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 18, 2012, 06:34:54 pm
Thank you for the response.
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Sunnie423 on January 23, 2012, 06:03:22 pm
I just thought I would update. I received my 12 week HIV test results today, and they were negative. I would like to thank everyone for their input and advice. I have learned that my health and well being is defiantly not worth going without a condom. 
Title: Re: Extremely Worried !!
Post by: Andy Velez on January 23, 2012, 08:23:03 pm
That's great about your happy result.

And it's also good to hear that you have a different appreciation now of how important it is to use condoms for intercourse. Everytime. Without exception.

Cheers.