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Author Topic: Did I test wrong?  (Read 5628 times)

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Offline Unsure one

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Did I test wrong?
« on: December 31, 2007, 05:02:34 pm »
Hello, I am new to this forum and have a question. I had unprotected sex with a high risk girl. I did not think because I was drinking. When I got home I had some blood in my underwear and an open sore on my part, probably a burn or rub, we went at it for a while and it was hard to cum because I was drunk. At first I thought I was ok but, now I am very concerned. I have read your forums and did notice mild symptoms like seroconversion but, did not really think I was infected. About 3 months later I started to get very tiny bumps in the roof of my mouth actually all over the hard palate. They are so small like tiny blisters but, always present. They come and go in different spots but, never disappear. My stomach also has a lot of gurgling and I have infrequent diarrea. I tried to ignore these small symtoms but, everyone hear knows how your mind won't let you. After searching the net I read that tiny ulcers or bumps may be hiv infection related. Almost one year to the infamous date I told my wife and called a clinic to test. The county had an in house health dept. I was given a Orasure advance test swab and the person at the clinic told me to put it in my upper cheek and gum . I put it all the way in mouth actually past my gum and into my cheek. After about 30 seconds he said no not like that on yours gums above your teeth. Then I rubbed it fairly hard on my upper and lower gums but again the swab definately went past my gums and into the saliva in the cheek. After waiting nervously 15 mins not 20 he told me I was not infected. The test had a line on a C, not on a T . I went home happy and relieved. Now 5 months later my wife has shingles and is always tired. She is in her 30's. Again a sign of hiv infection that surfaced. I went on Orasure's website and noticed it says Do Not touch inside of cheek. I was not a chronic worrier before but, now am wondering did I possibly invalidate the test because I did it wrong. Would that pad absorb my saliva and then not absorb enough oral fluid. I definately did not swab correctly as they show on their website and to many weird things are starting to happen to my wife and I. I thought I put this out of my mind 5 months ago but, now think I should test again. Please help I cannot find anything about a false negative or invalid result if the test is done somewhat wrong. Thank You.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2007, 05:17:35 pm »
No the pad would not absorb saliva. If you had not done the test correctly you would not have received a result. Your negative. Whatever is going on with you wife has nothing to do with your situation.

Offline Unsure one

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2007, 05:34:02 pm »
Thank you for your response. I am wondering why Orasure has DO NOT as the only capitals on their website and does that C on the test only show up if ample oral fluid is on the swab or would it still show up if only saliva was on the swab and the mixing solution traveled up the test?

Offline HIVworker

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  • HIV researcher
Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2007, 06:27:20 pm »
Q) Did you test 13 weeks after your exposure.
A) Yes, then it is not HIV.

Also, if she was a 'high risk' girl....that makes you a high-risk man for having sex with her?
« Last Edit: December 31, 2007, 06:29:05 pm by HIVworker »
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline 411

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2008, 03:42:31 am »
Oral testing for HIV is considered a reliable and conclusive means of testing if done more than 3 months after the incident being tested for, which in your case means you're negative.

However, since you engaged in unprotected intercourse you should have obtained a full sexual health screening for STDs along with the HIV test. Drinking and sex are bad combos for keeping ones head straight, (double entendre) when it comes to the idea of condoms, which you need to start getting into the practice of using.

Offline Unsure one

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2008, 01:45:07 pm »
I know there is a lot of fear and paranoia about being infected, however my mouth is definately not normal and it seems strange that my wife is now having a shingles attack. I called Orasure and they said they could not comment on my questions but, they would recommend I test again. Now I see just how dumb I am and I think I could handle me being positive but, not my wife. We were having problems at the time of my stupid mistake and I definately had that swab all over my cheeks. Please help. Should I test again. Thank you.

Offline Ann

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2008, 01:55:58 pm »
Unsure,

If the oral swab tests were that easy to mess up, they wouldn't be FDA approved for diagnostic use - yet they are. They are approved because they're reliable, even when nervous, shaking people use them.

You are conclusively and reliably hiv negative. People get shingles all the time for all sorts of reasons. You don't have to be hiv positive to get shingles, you only have to have had chicken pox at some time in your life.

You are hiv negative.

Ann
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Offline Unsure one

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2008, 07:01:32 pm »
Thank you to all who responded to my question. It's nice to know there are wonderful people here and you make a big difference. Keep up the good work. I really want to put this behind me but, my brain says I should retest. I didn't really question my result at first however, as time goes by my weird mouth and wife's little strange conditions seem to make me wonder. I was kind of scared to test the first time and think I am more afraid now. What a baby I am! I am fully aware that I should just test one more time and know for sure. I won't question a second test. No one can put my fears to rest except me but, you people are great! I read all your responses and from what I understand no one here thinks that a retest is warranted. I am trying to stay calm. Should I just believe my result even though I did the test a little wrong?

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2008, 07:21:02 pm »
As Ann and our other experts note, your test result is reliable. You are HIV negative.

One other thing, you should stop seeing people as "high risk" and  "low risk". Not only is this a bit bigoted it's misleading. People are not "high risk", certain behaviours are.

MtD

Offline anniebc

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Re: Did I test wrong?
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2008, 07:34:03 pm »
As Ann, Matty and the others have told you already your test is reliable so there is no need to retest..but if you are going to stress out about it then by all means test again, we can't stop you it's your choice, you we can only tell you it's not necessary...you are HIV negative it's up to you wether you accept your initial result or not.

BTW.. my husband had shingles a couple of months back and he is HIV negative.

Jan
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