POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Scotty on July 20, 2006, 03:39:26 pm
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Does KS ever show up within the first year of HIV infection, or is it something that shows up after the person has been infected for a longer period of time?
Thank you for your kind and patient responses.
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Anyone?????
22 reads and no responses. Please help.
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Scotty, have you been diagnosed with KS? Or are you self-diagnosing some spot(s) you have as KS and thereby backing into deciding you are HIV positive?
It would be unusual for KS to show up with the first year after transmission. But more to the point is have you had a risky incident and have you been tested for HIV?
Please clarify.
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I tested postive for Kaposi's Sarcoma (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_kaposis_sarcoma_21.asp?sitearea=cri) in February when a swollen lymph node was biopsied and found to have tissue markers indicative of KS.
So it sounds like a might have been infected for years? From what I understand KS is not as common as it used to be...so does that mean I have an infection based on an early strain of HIV?
It's funny because the doctor removed the swollen lymph node and then just referred me to the infectious disease doctor to start HAART therapy. I'm just wondering if there is more cancer inside of me - no one ever said anything more to me.
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KS is indeed much more rare nowadays than it was before HAART therapy. But for those who have had HIV for a long time, undiagnosed, it can indeed crop up.
Jordon, I hope you bring this conversation to the LIVING WITH forum, as there are many folks over there who have dealt successfully with KS (and with medical services that are unhelpful and incomplete). This side of the forum is mainly for people who have not tested HIV positive, and is based on transmission vector risk assessment and testing information.
To the original poster, I second Andy's queries. It's impossible to guess about KS. Outside the immunosuppressed population, it is exceedingly rare. However, it is NOT an "early" indicator of HIV infection. Research indicates that it is a product of a viral infection run amok, and as such usually takes years, decades of immunisuppression in order to manifest.
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"Research indicates that it is a product of a viral infection run amok, and as such usually takes years, decades of immunisuppression in order to manifest."
Thank you for your response, it clears things up a lot.
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It is a cancer that occurs from a variety of the herpes virus (I believe herpes #8).
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Everyone thank you for your replies.
The reason that I brought up this topic without sharing details about my situation is because I know that symptoms cannot diagnose HIV infection, only an HIV test can.
Here is my situation:
November of 2005 I entered into a sexual relationship with a person who I later found out is HIV positive. We had a high risk encounter I was the receptive partner in unprotected anal sex.
I had strange viral symptoms that I will not go into because I do not want to stir up fears in any others.
Sixteen (16) weeks after the encounter I tested negative for HIV. I also took the entire STI panel, and tested negative.
About two weeks ago I developed a small bluish/purpleish blemish on my arm. I am waiting to see a dermatologist soon, but just wanted to know if there was any possibility that this could be KS.
I have recently read that KS has been seen in newly infected people recently. I am aware that the window period for HIV is 12-13 weeks, and that I tested three weeks past this window period, so I am fairly certain that my fears are just that.... fears.
I want to thank you all again for information. There is so much misinformation on the internet, and I came here to find out information that I could trust.
Thanks again.
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Scotty, you have reliably tested negative for HIV. You are HIV negative. Period. End of story.
Whatever the purplish mark is it is not HIV-related.
Discuss it with your doctor.
You also need to learn from your recent experience. You can have all the sex you want including with someone who is HIV+. To protect yourself you need to make sure the insertive partner is always wearing a condom. No exceptions no matter what is going on or how great he looks or what you think you know about his health history. A condom is a must everytime.
Remember, when you have unprotected intercourse you are putting your life at risk. It's as stark and as simple as that. You scooted by safely this time but you cannot always count on that being the case. So keep those latex condoms handy and use them!
Cheers,
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Andy,
Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.