POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Selvin on November 10, 2006, 01:50:38 pm
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Hi all. I would like to thank all the moderators for their input in advance. This is a very good site that I found recently. My question is I received oral sex (A blow job) from a sex worker without a condom on 08/24/06. I tested with a PCR test on day 25 which came back negative which I still am paying on. A 42 day, 56 day and 67 ORA Quick test. all negative. Two blood and one oral.
I guess I want to read it for myself that I did not have a risk through receptive oral. The P.A.T.F said I did not need to test since that is my only experience outside my marriage. I have been monogamous from 1992 until this on 08/24/06. This has been stressing me out.
Do I have an HIV risk?
What percentage seroconvert by day 67?
Is is needed to test for receptive oral sex without a condom?
This is my only risk.
Ann I think you are quite a stand up kind of lady. You're are very knowledgeable about your reply's. I enjoy reading what you have to say.
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You don't need to test for getting a blowjob. You were not at risk. Just remember there are other STDs you can get from receiving a blowjob.
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Thanks RapidRod. I just wish I did not do that. It was not worth it.
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In the entire history of the epidemic there's never been a documented case of transmission via guy receiving a blow job.
So I feel safe in saying you aren't going to make history by becoming the first.
As Rod mentioned, other STDs are much easier to transmit including by skin to skin contact, so if you are sexually active getting a full STD panel done regularly is a good idea. We suggest at least annually and every six months is even better.
This time out there's no further cause for concern about HIV.
If you haven't already done so, please read the lesson on Transmission to which you can find a link in the Welcome thread which opens this section.
Cheers,
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Thanks Andy, I tested for all at the county health department. But out of curiosity what percentage sero convert at 67 days? Thanks agaon. I read the lessons after I posted this.
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Hi again. I am one of those people that worry a lot. My question is the PCR test. I was told that it was completely accurate at 25 days when I took the test. What I mean by worry is I am calling all the hiv hot lines and they give me mixed answers. Massachusetts says I did not have a risk but am done testing at 6 weeks. The place that ordered the PCR said I had no risk and feels that I am worrying over nothing. GMHC says I had know risk. But I am still worried. '
My next question is oraquick test. How accurate are they at 67 days? am really nervous about testing for my blowjob at 3 months. I live in Pittsburgh and the County health dept. says I had some risk. although the Pittsburgh aids task force feels I am not in danger of a positive.
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If you are not going to believe those people then why us? You didn't need a test because you never had a risk.
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I believe you. In my mind I just feel that something has got to go wrong. I don't know how to explain it. RapidRod I respect you and your post. It's just HIV is really scary after living the past 81 days in total fear of carching it. I even went to a mental health professional and got on Lexapro and Zyprexa so I could sleep.I think I have OCD. I hjope you don't think I am one of those people that can not be helped. Its just hard when all you think about is HIV.
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Selvin, fortunately feelings aren't facts. You were never at risk for HIV transmission in relation to that incident as we have told you repeatedly. It's no surprise that you tested negative because you weren't at risk to begin with.
Your mind may continue to churn up scary thoughts. They have no basis in HIV science.
Though medications may help you to sleep, in my experience they don't address the emotional source of the feelings. I recommend that you see a therapist with whom you can get some support in dealing with your thoughts and feelings. That is not likely to be a matter of one or two sessions. I suspect we're talking about guilt and other issues, things which just don't go away instantly.
You can't undo that bit of your personal history. You can do yourself and your family a favor and get some help with dealing with it more effectively. Life is too short to spend torturing yourself.
This is not an HIV situation no matter what your mind is saying to the contrary.
Get yourself some help.
Cheers,
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Thanks Andy. I know I am in need of therapy. I will try to pursue it. I told my wife what happend. Although she was upset at first she demanded I make certain concessions to stay intact with her. Needless top say I gladly did it. I plan on testing 11/27/06 for piece of mind. I hope that will alleviate my stress. Thanks to all. The fear of HIV is so overwhelming. It must take a brave person to actually deal with it.
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Selvin,
You didn't have a risk and you don't need further testing. You ARE hiv negative.
Ann
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Thanks Ann, RapidRod and Andy for responding. I may or may not test at 95 days. I just may for piece of mind. Hopefully after that I can drop it. The window period is such a scary thing. This sight has been really good. I would read other peoples post and apply it to myself.A lot of worried wells can relate to how scared they have been through the window period. 67 days was my last test. After this time I hope I do not do it again.
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Selvin,
The thing about the hiv window period is this - there is no window period when there is no risk. You had no risk, therefore there is no reason for you to worry about a window period. You've tested negative and that means you ARE hiv negative. You weren't - aren't - in a window period.
Getting a blowjob is NOT a risk for hiv infection. Not one person has ever become infected in this manner and you certainly won't be the first.
Ann
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Thank you Ann for your reply. You write with conviction. It's just that it is so confusing with the window period. I have been worrying for 82 days. I will test around 11/27/06. I will test with confidence and for piece of mind. It is hard to shut the worry off. Many organizations say different things. Massachusetts says 6 weeks and you are done and no need to test for fellatio. I tested with a pcr test at 25 days and oraquick at 25, 42, 56, 67 days. The P.A.T.F. does not want to test me anymore. The place I tested with the PCR said I had no risk and some hotlines start talking about blood in the mouth. That is scary. I know the moderaters say no matter what kind of spin you put on it I am negative. I have been worrying so long. But my end of the tunnel is my 3 month test. I will expect a negative and learn from my mistakes. Why do some people say fellatio is a risk?
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You're stuck on an irrelevant question, Selvin. "Why do so many people say (receiving) fellatio is a risk"? Because they don't know what they're talking about, that's why.
And if you are willing to listen to them and ignore what we've told you, that's your choice.
You were not at risk and you never needed to test. Period.
We've told you what the real deal is. What you do with that information is up to you.
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You are right Andy. It is not productive to worry about something that does not exist. There is no window period for HIV from receiving fellatio. I must and will let this go. Thanks.
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Hi all. I took matters into my own hands to help myself and received an 84 day that's 12 week oral orasquick rapid test. Needless to say it came back negative. I did it for piece of mind. I realized something. That I am no longer interested in extramarital sex at all.
Now of course I am wondering if I waited long enough. Does it matter about 12 weeks opposed to 13 weeks?
I am a serious worried well. I know it. I tested at the PATF. and even donated a Little money. I know I was not in a window period but just for general purpose is 12 weeks good enough or should it be 13? Thanks all.
Hoping to get life back to normal soon.
PCR 25 days
ORAQUICK Blood 25 days
ORAQUICK Blood 42 days
ORAQUICK Blood 56 days
ORAQUICK ORAL 67 days.
ORAQUICK ORAL 84 days
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12 weeks is good enough. You are conclusively negative.
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Thanks again RapidRod. Now again I have to work on letting this go. Probably cause I keep thinking about it.
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I read NYCJEDI's post about PCR testing. Now I am curious. Is it true the CDC supports the PCR test as being reliable? Is it true that is the one that porn stars use for there safety? The FDA does notsupport it as reliable? Did not want to hi jack NYCJEDI's post. Hope I am in line with the forum. So much to learn. Thanks please someone respond.
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I am trying to put this to rest. I called the Michigan HIV hotline at 1 800-872-2437 he said 90 days was conclusive and 84 was not enough. Can someone ease my mind here? I heard Europe goes by 12 weeks. Is that true. I am really new to this HIV window period.
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Selvin, if you keep shopping around and calling around you are bound to get all kinds of answers including up to a year.
The CDC is quite conservative and recommends 13 weeks as sufficient for a reliable result. Many countries use 12 weeks. Either is good for a dependable result.
Do yourself a big favor and call a halt on asking around.
What we're telling you is reliable. Whether you choose to stick with it is strictly up to you.
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I tried letting this go all weekend. I will take a final test the first week of March which will be a little over 6 months. Hopefully then I can relax. It's not that I do not believe this panel of experts it's just that I was so keyed up over it for so long I can not let go of it. This is so scary. I must have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.It is pure torture.
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Then the OCD that you have is what you need to be working on instead of a non risk issue.
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Like RapidRod said, it's your OCD you need to be addressing. Don't let it control you. You are fine as far as HIV is concerned.
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Thanks Rhino, Ann, RapidRod and Andy for you support. I am letting this go. I hope.
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Thanks Rhino, RapidRod, Ann and Andy for your kind support.
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So I guess I can leave this go then? 12 weeks is enough time to wait I believe for a non issue? As the the world can tell I am still scared.
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Scared as you are it doesn't change the fact that you had no risk to begin with AND you have a conclusive test. You are good to go.
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Thanks again Rhino for helping me. I keep thinking I should have waited 13 weeks. But 13 weeks was thanksgiving and of course the testing center was closed.
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Ann, Sorry I hijacked that other thread. I was just curious how someone else would react to a 12 week test. I decided I would test at 6 months+ for piece of mind. I know I was told it is not necessary but I can not let this go. This is Obsessive on my part however it is so scary. It takes all my waking time thinking about it. I just can not believe I did that outside my marriage(Fellatio) and physically got away with it. I heard news that a 3 month test was anywhere from 95% to 97% to 99.99%. Thanks to all the advice I got from the panel of moderators and RapidRod. I just wish I could talk with one of you.
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Help! a little guidance from the experts please.
I am starting to be a nervous wreck again. I can not stop thinking of the risk I put myself under. I know I was told that receiving fellatio is non risk but I am still scared. At least I know I will never do this again. Can anyone tell me the chances of coming up positive on a six month test after testing negative on a 12 week test will be? I am scared because I do not have the knowledge that some people have HIV is very scary. The fear is as bad as the virus itself. Thanks in advance.
1. Is there any chance I will testpositive at 6 months after testing negative at 12 weeks for fellatio?
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Go work with your doctor on your OCD. You didn't have a risk. There is nothing more we can help you with.
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Thanks again RapidRod! What type of person needs to test out to 6 months. I am normal. Except last year I had Hernia surgery and had normal blood work done. I do not have any other illness that.
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Do they use different test in the U.K. than they do in the U.S.? My reason for asking is that the U.K. uses 12 weeks and the U.S. uses 13 weeks. Can someone PLEASE answer? I just do not understand how to great countries can differ.
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Selvin,
Your hernia operation will not make a bit of difference to your seroconversion - but wait, what seroconversion? You didn't have a risk. No risk, no seroconversion. No kidding.
They use the same tests - there are several different name brands but they are all sold in both countries.
The window period is a matter of splitting hairs. The year can be divided into four quarters of three months each. A month is generally accepted to be four weeks and a quarter is twelve weeks. However, if you do the math, there is an extra month in the year because there are 52 weeks. The Americans take the extra four weeks and add one on to each quarter. And that's it. Twelve weeks, thirteen weeks, it doesn't matter. Most people will seroconvert and test positive by SIX WEEKS and the three month window is in place to catch the rare person who takes a little longer. That's all.
You didn't have a risk, you don't need to test and all this faffing about over window periods is a moot point in your case. Not one person has EVER become infected with hiv because they got their willy sucked and you will NOT be the first.
It's time for you to move on.
Ann
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Thanks very much Ann, for taking the time to reply. I am trying to deal with this. Lack of knowledge is a bad thing. As in my case. Thaks for the reply. I know you mean well.
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So, have you made an appointment to see a therapist or counselor yet?
Best wishes.
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I see a Psychiatrist for Medicine. I see my E.A.P. counselor at work and he feels my anxiety is over ruling my wise mind. HIV is a phobia of mine I learned that when I did what I did in August. I have not been with that many women in my life and never gave HIV a real thought being married since January of 1995. Although my Uncle died in 1994 and was positive. He died because he had a needle stuck in his foot and did not know it due to not feeling it because he also had type 1 diabetes his immune system could not fight off gangrene so I feel he would have died anyway. HIV did not kill him in my opinion. I saw him waste to nothing it was sad. I have comopassion for everyone that has HIV. If I had 3 wishes I would want a cure for HIV, Breast cancer, and Prostate cancer.
I also get blown away by some organizations saying test baseline 3 months and 6 months. It is so confusing. All I want is to be happy again and to do that I may test after 6 months. Not that I disrespect any of the moderators just that I don't know what else to do. At 42 I should not have done what I did.
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Selvin,
I'm glad that you're going to see a professional. Hopefully he/she will be able to address your concerns so that you could move on with your life. I wish you wouldn't waste another three months of your life wallowing in anxiety.
I speak from my own experience (and I had REAL SIGNIFICANT HIGH RISK to begin with). Guess what, my three month test was the EXACTLY THE SAME as my six month test. I unnecessarily spent three months of my life worrying over a NON ISSUE. Best wishes.
Beto
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Beto, Thanks for the kind reply. Consider your hand shaken.
What made you test out to 6 months? Did you do it at exactly six months also and let it go? Did you get bombarded with bad info like I did? These guys know what they are talking about. I read a piece by Joanathan and he had all the facts listed. That is what is keeping me calm. I am a lot calmer than I let on. I can only praise Ann, Rapidrod and Andy and Jonathan. for helping me.
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Selvin,
I kept testing because of my own psychological issues. Part of it is guilt. The other is because I'm a natural hypochondriac. My parents had medical backgrounds, and I grew up surrounded by medical books. I always thought I had all kinds of diseases from Feline Leukemia to Malaria. I get a sore in my mouth, and become convinced I had oral cancer. Anyways, you get the drift.
Unfortunately, and I hate to admit, the sixth month test did NOT stop my anxiety. Psychological help did.
Beto
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I am a worrier also. I wish I were not like this. I was depressed because of my job. Then I got the city paper out then boom. Instant worry. Thanks for the support. So you to feel I had no risk to begin with? and 3 months is enough. Good luck to you.
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HIV Worker could you PLEASE put your input in for receiving fellatio.
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Selvin,
Worker is going to tell you the same thing the rest of us have - getting a blowjob is NOT a risk for hiv infection.
As I said the other day, it's time you got over your no-risk blowjob and moved on with your life. Please read the posting guidelines in the Welcome thread and pay attention to what it says about repeatedly posting over a no-risk event. Please consider yourself warned.
Ann
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I am still a nervous wreck. My job is affectted because I can not fully concentrate. Nothing but bad comes out of cheating on your spouse. I decided to take a 6 month test to be sure. That would be 180 days on 2/22/07. Does anyone think that a test for receiving fellatio as an only risk will change from 84 days to 6 months? 84 day negative.
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Selvin,
You never needed to test at all and you certainly don't need to test at six months. Getting a blowjob is NOT a risk for hiv infection.
You have ignored everything said to you on this forum, including the warning in my last post to you. I am giving you a four week time out in order to encourage you to seek out some face-to-face help with your anxiety. Do NOT create another account to get around your time out, because I will know and you will be banned permanently, no questions asked.
Ann
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I have been in counseling about my OCD concerning HIV since 12/21/06. I am Taking classes three days a week 3 hours a day to combat my OCD. I am doing better now and have resisted my urge to test for my non risk incident. I just wanted to update everyone as to what has been going on. I plan to return to work before March 1st.
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I was a nervous wreck since 08/24/06. I even went to counseling and simply worried myself silly for 8 months. I had taken an 84 day test for receiving fellatio then tried to let it go. All experts from here and my home town and hiv counselors over the phone said not to worry. Then one said just test for piece of mind. So I did. Then Yesterday at day 243 8 months. I took a blood test and I just got back my results. Negative. In my mind I obsessed over this for months. Went to psychiatric counseling for 2 months. I can finally let this go.
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I have one last general question. Is it now or ever was needed to test for HIV out to one year? My last test was at 8.4 months 256 days from Lab Corp. I have been letting this go but I still worry about it. I apologize for a post so rhetorical. HIV is a scary thing and when you are not educated in something it makes it worse.
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You do not need further testing. You are NEGATIVE..
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Thanks Rapid Rod. I won't ask the same question over again because I do not want to get banned from the site. I have to much respect for the knowledge of the people that devote their time to helping others. I had so many things in my life go wrong because of the worry. I applied for a new job in my company and got it due to not thinking clearly I had to quit. Lucky for me I found another job. I went for counseling for 3 months and was diagnosed with OCD, Depression and A.D.D. AND hiv phobia. My risk was receiving fellatio and you can bet I learned my lesson. Well I will not ask the same question again. But thanks Rapid Rod again. 256 days negative a good feeling.
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Hi all. I had one final question this from my own curiosity. Is it ever needed to test out to one year? I tested at a place called medical access screenings. They test you and the next day you get your results. They have counselors that say exactly what this forum says and that is 3 months for a normal immune system and oral is not worth testing on. My fear is that I just want to get to after 08/24/2007. That is the one year mark. This will be my last post as I do not wish to get banned. But I wish I could talk to some of the experts here.
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Waste your money, it's to do what you want to do with. You don't need testing out to a year. You are conclusively negative.
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I was kind of curious. Has anyone ever came up positive at one year that tested negative at 9 months for one same exposure.In this case fellatio? I am still not able to let this go. Even after the counseling I went through. I tested at exactly nine months and access medical screening says I am wasting my money. I had a blood test at 271 days which is 9 months. Does anyone know of a good counselor to see in Pittsburgh? Before they tried to treat me for OCD but it did not work. Sorry to be so hard headed. To be truthful this is my testing days:
25, 42, 56, 67, 84, 117, 130, 150, 161, 171, 176, 181, 189, 203, 215, 230, 243, 256, 271.
PCR at 25 days. The last 6 days were all blood test from Lab Corp.
I wonder if Post traumatic stress disorder is what I suffer from due to worrying so long and hard.
Another reason is earlier in my waiting a lady at the Allegheny county health department said to be absolutely sure you had to test out to one year. To me that seems kind of long. Since no one else said that.
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Selvin,
NO, not one single person has ever come up positive after nine months following getting a blowjob. They've not come up positive at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight months after getting blown either. NOBODY has EVER tested positive after gettng a blowjob at ANY time.
You ARE hiv negative. I suggest you go back into counseling for your anxiety. We cannot help you with that here. Please read through the posting guidelines in the Welcome thread and take notice of what it says about repeated posting over a no-risk, conclusively negative situation.
Ann
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I have made arrangements to resume counseling over this issue. This will help me to end my fears. Thank you Ann for your response.
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"I was kind of curious." Uh uh, Sel.
After all these months of back and forth about a no-risk for HIV incident, you didn't really expect us to buy the just "curious" question did you?
Resuming seeing a therapist is a good idea. You also need to know that's not a quick fix situation. Based on experience I would say your holding on to this unwarranted fear has other "stuff" connected to it. Do yourself and your family a big favor and take all the time you need to really get this resolved. The payoff is worth it in terms of having a better, freer life.
Cheers,
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Thanks Andy.
Yes I really need to come to grips with this I am embarrassed to say I went to the Pittsburgh Aids Task Force yesterday and had an Orasure rapid done. The testor assured me that I am fine. I do feel better but I know I need help still. That was 287 days past exposure. I have never reacted to an issue like this before.
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One general question. I start counseling in 3 weeks. Is the Ora sure oral rapid test as good as any other test?
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I would say so. Especially in such a non-risk scenario as this.
You got tested over 20 times after receiving a blowjob?
Best wishes for success with that OCD therapy.
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Selvin,
Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
As this is your second time out, it will be for 56 days.
You know the drill - do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann
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Hi all!!!!!
I will not be posting after this post anymore or visiting HIV sites any longer. I am cured after 1 year. Thank God.
I am in a great mood. I was not going to post after my last post in June but this will be my last. I'd like to thank all for helping me with my HIV phobia. I decided the best way to pay everyone back whom I bothered over the past year was not to ever put myself in that boat of worrying about HIV ever again. I will never stray again from my wife who stood by me. I would like to explain how I finally let this go. I took 26 test and to give some sort of insight I will mark the days down.
25,42, 56, 67, 84, 113, 130, 150, 161, 171, 176, 181, 189, 203, 215, 230, 243, 256, 270, 287, 298, 312, 326, 340, 348, 365 and a PCR test at day 25.
I underwent counseling for OCD 5 days a week in July. I started to feel better but to let this go I tested at the year mark with a blood test from Labcorp as sugguested by my therapist. I had to do it that way to free my mind up. It really is free now. I guess I
I today went to the Pittsburgh aids task force and donated 20.00.in food stuff. Not a lot of money but I lost a great job with a bank because of this.
HIV is truly a scary thing. I have compasion for all that have it or any disease without a cure.
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The best thing you can do for all concerned is to get on with your life.
Cheers,
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I have a question that does not concern me. The Lab Corp technician thaty has taken my blood for my test had an occupational exposure from an unknown person. Her Dr. put her on three days of Conavair (hope this is right) (PEP) She took it 2 hours after the incident. Which was Friday, Saturday, Sunday. She missed Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Resumed it on Friday. My question is: After taking PEP when does the window period start? She knows she is in trouble for missing those days. She feels as I do after speaking with the Massachusetts hotline that it is too late to continue.
We spoke with the Georgia hotline and the counselor was very knowledgable about the issue. She stated that not many people become infected with needle sticks. The person who had the blood drawn declined to take an HIV test. The Lab Corp technician has to sweat out the window period.
Do many needle sticks result in seroconversion? Thanks. Incidently I am done. I am enjoying life once again. I am inn the job market and have an interview on 09/05/2007. I am concerned for a friend. We became friends due to my 15 visits and she felt sorry for me.
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For one, she received a starter pack and should have went to see her doctor to get a prescription for a 28 day supply. No there is not very many occupational exposures that result in infection to HIV. She didn't complete the meds, she will need to take a test 13 weeks after her last dose.
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Just out of curiosity How prevelant is HIV-2 in the United States?
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Sel,
It's extremely rare. There are fewer than 100 cases in the States.
If you can't stop fretting about hiv, perhaps it's time to get some counseling so you can learn how to cope with your anxieties. We cannot help you with that here.
Ann
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I am fine with HIV Now. I tested conclusively negative. Oraquick rapid test for both 1 and 2. I justed wanted to learn more about HIV2. Thanks for the answer.
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Just a general question. Can someone get hiv from a positive partner if S/he rubs their lips on the top, of the vagina with the mouth closed? Such as closed mouth kissing. Iis there a risk from sucking the breast of an infected woman?
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Selvin,
Nothing you describe is a risk for hiv infection. Please read our Transmission Lesson linked to in the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can learn what is and what is not a risk for hiv infection.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple! Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use them with confidence.
Ann
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Hi All,
I decided long and hard not to put myself at any risk. S
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Hi all,
I decided not to even risk what I placed in my last post. The best thing for me to do is not to go outside my marriage for any type of sex. I was going to see a another escourt but decided against it the risk is to great. No I will not do it.
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I am curious. Recently I've hugged my Uncle John and while I did his thumb went inside my mouth for about a second or two. He has HIV and is doing well. Is that a reason to be concerned? Due to microscopic blood particles released into the mouth.
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No, your latest" curious" item is yet another non-risk for transmission.
Keep working with your therapist or whomever you're talking to. Your mind is running wild again with nonsense about HIV transmission. Really.
Keep hugging your uncle. It's probably good for both of you.
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Hi everyone. I have a question concerning the destruction of the HIV virus: They say that Saliva inhibits the virus. Why can't a cure be made from that fluid?
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We're here to discuss and evaluate risks and not to discuss your random speculations about HIV science.
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It has been years since I have posted. I have dealt with my HIV fears by being careful not to place myself at risk. I am glad to see all the moderators still going strong. My special thanks to Ann.
I have been volenteering at the Pgh Aids Task Force. And donating some spare change. Not a lot but trying on my means. Some of my work permits me to go to shut in HIV patients and sit and talk to them. Most people diagnosed now you would never even know they had it for 13 or 15 or even more years.
I am Greatfull for Ann and rapid rods support. Dealing with the fear issue was hard. So to repay everyone I do not place myself at risk.
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Selvin,
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you're doing better and "giving back" to the community.
Ann