POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: ekajaya9424 on July 05, 2013, 12:44:26 pm
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Dear all,
I am bi and have 2 exposures and tested -ve HIV on 81 and 62 days after the exposures.
Had unprotected vagina sex (81 days) with a prostitute and anal sex on day 62 with a stranger guy.
Is my test accurate and should I be worrying? What's the % of accuracy?
Regards,
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eka,
You need to wise up and stop having unprotected intercourse with people. You've very unlikely to go on to test hiv positive after your results so far, but if you keep having intercourse without a condom, sooner or later you're going to get infected.
If you haven't already, you also need to test for all the other, MUCH more easily transmitted STIs. They don't always have noticeable symptoms, so the only way to know is to test.
The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days.
A six week negative is highly unlikely to change, but must be confirmed at the three month point. Six weeks is 42 days, three months is 84 days. You're unlikely to go on to test positive over these incidents when you confirm at three months.
Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.
To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.
If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.
Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Ann
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Hi Ann,
Thank you for your reply. Shall use a condom in the near future.
I've a little concern at how the test was being conducted and wonder about its accuracy (just wanna be double sure)
It was a Rapid Blood Test. He took out this indicator and simply drip a droplet of my blood onto it and I left the treatment room. Judging from internet videos and various test kits, it seems like you've got to apply some solutions to it or something?
Just worried if the test was being conducted wrongly and thus gave a false negative.
Would I have to worry on that point?
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Hi eka , I would count on the fact that you test was accurate and as Ann pointed out , a six week negative is highly unlikely to change, but must be confirmed at the three month point. Six weeks is 42 days, three months is 84 days. You're unlikely to go on to test positive over these incidents when you confirm at three months.
Find some constructive things to do with your time or you are going to make your self miserable waiting to test again , it your choice how you spend the time , so make the most of it .
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Thanks Jeff for your reply.
Just last one question that I have on mind.
I understand that I was tested on Abbott Determine Rapid Blood Test and it's a relatively easy to use test.
Will the result be inaccurate assuming the nurse forgot to use the chase buffer and apply it on the specimen? What's the purpose of chase buffer?
Just curious to know it and the assumption if it was not applied on the specimen, would it affect it?
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The important thing is the non reactive HIV results . You still must test at 3 months to confirm the results so if I were you I would find something other than obsessing over something you cant control , its your choice but if I were you I wouldn't consciously choose months of hand-wringing . I offer the advice in the spirit of trying to help you and not to be insensitive .