POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: rob70 on July 20, 2006, 05:16:17 pm

Title: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 20, 2006, 05:16:17 pm
i had a question about testing. I had a 3 and 6 month negative elisa test. When talking with local clinic today the counselor advised he would reccomend a test past the 6 month time! I thought I was over all os this fear. My wife recently found out she was pregnant , I have had an ent doc. diagnose enlarged lymph node on my neck , and I have recently had a pain in my upper thigh near my groin. I just need to know if the 6 month test beyond a shadow of a doubt proves I do not have hiv? Every time I look at my wife it breaks my heart to think of the possibility. My encounter was protected vaginal and unprotected cunnilingus. But aside from the exposure I really need to know when is enough testing enough. I would love to get on with my life and look forward to the birth of our baby instead of fearing the worst.(p.s i had all other tests except for herpes as no signs were evident)
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: jkinatl2 on July 20, 2006, 05:26:05 pm
Well, to start with, your local clinic worker was wrong.

The current testing window is 13 weeks. Not six months, and certainly not more than that. I bet you that had you asked him where he got his information, he would not be able to provide current scientific quantification - because none exists.

Insofar as your situation, cunnilingus is not an HIV risk, and neither is protected penetrative sex. No risk, no need to test for HIV. But your test results are, of course conclusive.

Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Andy Velez on July 20, 2006, 05:36:27 pm
Rob, as long as you are certain you have not had any unprotected sex since you received your negative test result then you can forget about any further testing. Your lumps and bumps notwithstanding, you are HIV negative. Period. End of story.

When I read about an HIV counselor handing you that kind of upsetting hooey which has no validity whatsoever it just makes me want to fire his/her ass right out of their job. That was totally wrong and has no basis in HIV science.

No kidding.

Go ahead with your baby plans. HIV is not an issue for you.

If your symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor.

Cheers,
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 20, 2006, 07:07:24 pm
thanks for your fast replies. its nice to know I am not the only one out there who has a hard time letting go of the fear of tests not being 100% no matter what you hear . It just statred the whole thing all over again when the counselor said he would reccomend another test past the 6 month one. So I guess it is safe to tell the local clinic a follow up test past the 6 month one is not necessary? I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to make sure my wife and unborn baby are safe. It just tears me apart thimking of what could happen. Thanks for all you do ( it means alot!)
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 24, 2006, 10:36:41 am
I hate tp ask again but the counselor I had spoke with last week that recomended a follow up test after the 6month negative one had scheduled me for another test today. I guess I am trying to find closure with this , and taking this test today would start it all over again. I just need to know if it is even worth taking another test at 9 months if I already had a negative at 6 months? The testing company i talked to said the test i took about 50% of the time detects hiv2. I am in U.S and my understanding is there have never been any cases where someone aquired it here but in other countries and then diagnosed here. As I said before my wife just found out she is pregnant and I want to make sure I am definately negative. I have had some strange symptoms , but symptoms aside would you recomend not taking this 9 month test and moving on with my life. Thanks in advance for all  that you do. I can not tell you how much it means.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 24, 2006, 10:57:20 am
one of the reasons beside the enlarged node is i have had a few flea like bumps here and there . I have no pets so it is kind of weird. Do you think it has any thing to do with hiv? Sorry to sound stupid I just need to know if I should even take this 9 month test today or just move on with my life. Again thanks for all you do if there were not people out there like you ( helping those of us who have no idead) I do not know where we would be.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on July 24, 2006, 11:29:09 am
Rob,

You don't need further testing and you didn't need further testing after your three month test. Three months is conclusive.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 24, 2006, 11:52:44 am
Thanks, Ann. So you would say taking the 9 month test today after a 6 month negative pointless? i just need to make sure 100% without a shadow of a doubt. Thanks again.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 24, 2006, 01:11:23 pm
I really need some advice i am due to be at my test in a little over an hour. The things that concern me are my headaches, swollen node in my neck , and over the past wee I have noticed a sort of rash on the inside of my bicep area , is not red or itchy just very,very small white bumps. Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Morgan on July 24, 2006, 04:22:08 pm
Rob,

Yes.  Following a 6 month negative with a 9 month test is a waste of time, money, and resources.

A negative test at least 13 weeks post exposure is conclusive.

Morgan
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 25, 2006, 05:58:02 pm
I had the rapid test yesterday anyway just to make sure. It was negative. The counselor still told me it had to be 6 months past potential exposure. When I asked him why 6 and not 3 as cdc states as conclusive he simply said just to make sure . Any way it is funny how a lot of the symptoms I had seem to have almost disapeared. It is a strange think what guilt and anxiety can do to you. Now i am trying to stay of the internet so i do not get spooked again. Why do some of us continue looking for someone out there to validate our irrational fears? Thanks for the help , it was much appreciated! As Joe D said " keep on keeping on"
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 27, 2006, 01:03:10 pm
I had just one question concerning tests. is the rapid test (where they use blood sample) tests for hiv 1 and 2? Or should it not even be a concern being in the U.S? Also would there be any riks at all with recieving protected oral(fellatio)? I just want to put this once and for all behind me. Thanks again for all you do.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on July 27, 2006, 01:21:49 pm
Rob,

Getting an UNprotected blowjob isn't a risk for infection, and a protected blowjob certainly isn't either. If this is what you've been testing over, you've been wasting your time and money.

You've tested conclusively negative for hiv. Period.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on July 27, 2006, 01:37:58 pm
Ann, thanks for your reply. No I was not testing over protected bj. My main question was concerning the rapid test ( where they use blood) to see if you knew whether or not it test for 1and2/ And if being in the U.S I should even be concerned with this?
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: RapidRod on July 27, 2006, 03:02:06 pm
I guess you are not understanding what they have said to you. You wasn't at risk, you didn't need to test and HIV 1 and 2 was not a concern.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on August 02, 2006, 04:15:35 pm
just one more question regarding cunniligus. Is there a risk in performing cunniligus in relation to hiv? There seems to be a lot of conflicting info on the topic. Thanks.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: RapidRod on August 02, 2006, 04:25:29 pm
Not for HIV, but there is some risk for STDs.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on August 04, 2006, 10:43:41 am
I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and reassurance. I just want to make sure after my 9 month neg test there is no chance whatsoever of it being a false positive. With my wife being pregnant there is so much at risk. I want this to be my last post and I no longer want to search the internet over and over looking for reasons to doubt what i have been told, but as of now I am scared to have intimate relations with my wife. So I guess what I am asking is regardless of symptoms with my 9 month test would you say there is no way I had a false neg. test? I also tested with pcr dna test at 2 weeks and 4 weeks.  3,6,9 month elisa testing. Thanks for all you do , it surely means alot for people in my situation who just do not know that much about this disease.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 04, 2006, 10:52:03 am
Rob,

Your nine month test result is conclusive. Stop fretting and stop searching the web. Go and support your wife. Be intimate. Whatever. You don't have HIV. I promise. Pinky swear!

Don't make me come back there and sort you out. ;)

MtD
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on August 10, 2006, 03:28:41 pm
I just wanted to say good bye , as i think when I keep checking the forums it makes my fears come back all over again . One parting question is there any chance after 2 week pcr dna , 4 week pcr dna , 3,6,9 month elisa test all being negative , but some how still having hiv? I mean is 150% safe to say I do not have it , regardless of symptoms? Thanks in advance for all you do , god bless.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Morgan on August 10, 2006, 03:31:05 pm
Rob,

You are about as hiv negative as it gets.   :)

Morgan
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Morgan on August 10, 2006, 03:33:03 pm
And before you ask, yes, that's regardless of any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on August 10, 2006, 06:29:20 pm
i just wanted to say good bye to everyone , and thank you for your support and understanding. I want some closure , and to be able to get on with my life , and be able to enjoy the fact that my wife is pregnant and be able to experience all the joys that come with having a baby. I just want to make sure I have done everything I possibly can to determine my hiv results. With so much at stake I hope you understand my fear. I guess i just need to know that i am definately negative after the results i have had , and there is no chance the results could be false. Another question I had is would having a persistant dry throat , and I have also develped some wart like bumps on my fingers and hands be any kind of a sign in relation to hiv? Hopefully this will be my last post as I am hoping to move forward with my life and try to deal with the guilt of what I have done , and get past it. As many replies as I could get would be greatly appreciated . I wish every one of you well.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on August 10, 2006, 07:37:27 pm
Rob,

You are absolutely hiv negative.

Enjoy the baby.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on August 16, 2006, 04:31:42 pm
famous last words "this is my last post" I just needed final closure that a 9 month negative tes( rapid blood test) is 100% fool proof and that there is no way these 3,6,9 month test could be falsely negative. Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: RapidRod on August 16, 2006, 04:36:08 pm
You could have stopped with your first test.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on September 06, 2006, 01:22:20 pm
this is it after this I am no longer just going to browse the site because doing so makes things worse. Just for my own reassurance, is there any chance , and i mean even the smallest chance after a 3,6, and 9 month test being negative , that i could have had false negatives. The only reason I ask is I have these headaches that will not go away , and weird bumps like itchy flea bites( we do not have pets) . I know sometimes people like me try your patience, and I apologize in advance for that ,all of you have been so helpful and understanding. I just need to know for certain that these test up to 9 months that there is no way they could be false-negative. Thanks again, You all are the best!
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: RapidRod on September 06, 2006, 01:50:25 pm
You are HIV NEGATIVE...PERIOD. Quit doubting your results and move on.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Andy Velez on September 13, 2006, 08:36:03 am
You are HIV negative. Period. End of story.

Discuss your headache problem with your doctor to make sure any physical origin is considered. Then you might consider seeing a therapist to talk about what is going on. Headaches are often a reflection of a  high tension state, among other things.

Whatever is going on has nothing to do with HIV. No kidding.

 
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on September 13, 2006, 11:44:12 am
A final moment of clarity. Thanks one and all. You all have helped more than you will ever know. PEACE.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on September 21, 2006, 11:23:46 am
hey all , I guess I need one or two more questions answered , I have now got cancre sores in my mouth , even with the neg result out to 9 months is it possible to have anything to do with hiv? These weird itchy bumps I keep getting just seem to coincidental to the timing of my incident not to take notice of. Has anyone ever had a positive after 9 months? Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on September 21, 2006, 12:58:34 pm
Rob,

You do NOT have hiv. If you cannot accept your negative hiv status, please seek the face to face help and support of a mental health care professional. There is nothing more we can do for you here and if you insist on using this forum to wring your hands over your negative status, I will give you a time out to encourage you to get help more appropriate to your needs.

If your cancre sores worries you, see your GP. They have nothing to do with hiv.

You are hiv negative, period, end of story.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on October 03, 2006, 01:11:41 pm
Hey Guys and gals just a quick question , would sucking on a womans nipples be a risk for any kind of std or hiv? I would assume I would have known if there was breast milk present,but I really did not pay attention.. I also received protected "bj". Is there even a slight risk of aquiring anything from either of these two activities?
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on October 03, 2006, 02:20:42 pm
Rob,

For a grown man, there is no risk whatsoever from breastmilk or sucking nipples. Only babies who feed on nothing but breastmilk are at risk from hiv from breastmilk. Even they are not guaranteed to become infected in this manner.

Getting a blowjob, whether you wear a condom during the act or not, is NOT a risk for hiv infection, period. Not one person has ever become infected with hiv through getting a blowjob and you will not be the first.

Ann




Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on October 03, 2006, 02:32:15 pm
So no adult has ever gotten hiv from sucking on a womans nipple? I am sorry if I am being stupid, I just did not know if there was a risk for anything in doing this? Thanks,again!
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on October 03, 2006, 04:45:49 pm
So I am correct in understanding that no adult has gotten hiv from sucking on a females nipples?or receiving a protected bj? I just need to make sure , as I have not had sex with my wife for a while for fear this could be possible. Thanks for understanding.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on October 03, 2006, 06:09:44 pm
Rob,

For a grown man, there is no risk whatsoever from breastmilk or sucking nipples. Only babies who feed on nothing but breastmilk are at risk from hiv from breastmilk. Even they are not guaranteed to become infected in this manner.

Getting a blowjob, whether you wear a condom during the act or not, is NOT a risk for hiv infection, period. Not one person has ever become infected with hiv through getting a blowjob and you will not be the first.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on October 18, 2006, 05:11:35 pm
I know this might make you mad but I needed to ask , I just got back from dermatologist and was told I have folliculitis. I got tested last week and was negative. This test was 50 weeks from initial exposure and ws 17 weeks from second exposure( protected bj and sucking on her breast,nipples) even having this constant dry throat and headaches and now folliculitis , is there any way I could still have hiv? Has anyone ever seroconverted this late or gotten hiv from protected bj or nipple sucking? With my wife due to have our baby in less than two months I just need to be 100% sure.
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on October 18, 2006, 06:22:12 pm
Rob,

You are hiv negative. Period. End of story.

Ann
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: rob70 on October 26, 2006, 05:27:39 pm
Hey Ann, I realize this might make you upset , but I needed to ask. My first possible exposure tested negative out to 49 weeks. That should rule out that exposure 100% correct? My second concern was a protected bj and sucking on a womans nipples. I was tested for this around 6 weeks and then 18 weeks. Wolud this rule out the possibility in this instanse? The only reason I ask is I have had consistent headaches, been diagnosed with folliculitis , and now have weird little wart like bumps on my hands, a swollen node under my ear just above my jaw. I know you all say 3 months is definitive, but when would someone ( a specialists) be able to say with 100% certainty, you do not have hiv? I know you will probably be upset at for asking , but please try to understand what is at stake( with my wife being pregnant).
Title: Re: testing questions
Post by: Ann on October 26, 2006, 05:44:00 pm
Rob,

The only person you are upsetting is yourself. Knock it off. You don't have hiv. Nothing you just listed is even a risk for hiv infection and you have conclusive tests that show you are hiv negative.

If you cannot accept your negative status, then it's time to think about getting some counseling for yourself. We've done all we can for you here, the ball is in your court now.

Ann