POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Anxious_1 on October 05, 2013, 04:46:18 pm
-
This is a little lengthy but please bear with me. Alright so I had unprotected vaginal sex with this college girl in the early morning of August 18. It was the only time we had sex. A real bad judgment call and if I could do it all over again things would be different. But I cant. About two weeks later I got only a runny nose that lasted about 2 weeks. From what I read HIV cant be diagnosed with symptoms but this started my mind to think about it. As more time passed more things started going on and I decided to take a HIV test. About 39-40 days(about 6 weeks) I took an Oraquick Rapid oral swab test which came out negative to my relief. I contacted her and she said she was last tested around March and hasnt been with anyone since her last test but me. I didnt ask how long after her last partner did she get tested as she was getting a little agitated and I didnt want to lose our line of communication. That same week I took an STD test which came out negative. This provided temporary relief but as other possible symptoms(5th week) are still occurring I have two questions. How accurate is the oral swab around 6 weeks? If I am positive will it show if I take another test at 8 weeks(63days) as I dont think I can mentally make it to 12 weeks?
-
Your 6 week test isn't likely to change when you retest at 3 months . I have never seen a 6 week negative go on to a 3 month positive .
The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. Most who are infected will test positive by 6 weeks. For various reasons a small number will take longer and that is why we follow the CDC recommendation to test at 3 months for a conclusive negative result .
The oraquick test you took is reliable and accurate and like I already told you , your 6 weeks test isn't likely to change and you should expect a negative result .
A word to the wise . You may should not bother the woman you had sex with , what's done is done and her HIV status has nothing to do with yours . You will know you status by testing and not from someone else's test .
-
I appreciate the advice and you are right that their status has nothing to do with mine. I ended up going to the clinic and got blood drawn. It was at 52 days since possible exposure and it came out negative. That makes a rapid oral swab at 39 days and a blood test at 52days. I am feeling a little better even though I fully believed it was going to be positive.Even though I am experiencing different symptoms its looking like they are not HIV related. I will retest at 12 weeks for a conclusive result. Ive read that it is extremely unlikely that my 7 1/2 week results will change. is that correct?
-
Ive read that it is extremely unlikely that my 7 1/2 week results will change. is that correct?
Yes that is correct.
As Jeff has already told you only a small group of people seroconvert after the 13 week window period, this group includes those who are receiving immuno-suppressive therapy after transplant procedures, cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy and long term injecting drug users.. you do not fit into this group.
Time to move on and put this behind you. please educate your self a bit more in how HIV is and is not transmitted.
Jan