POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: amI on January 25, 2007, 11:43:45 am
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Hello,
I am new to this forum and am very thankful to see a wonderful community of people who care of each other and understand and respect each individuals situations, I really hope I can get some comfort myself because I am very Very Scared!!..
The Encounter:
On September 24, 2006 on my Visit in China, I was Very Very vulnerable and drunk at a local disco and met a female sex trade worker who I then went back home with that night. I was fully aware and Cautious about using condoms and did so for 98% our encounter. I started to give anal sex to her at one point until I noticed the Condom rip, my total time of penetration was about 30 Seconds-1 minute before i noticed and Pulled out immediately. I was very scared and even scared her because of how worried I looked, I even asked if she was tested and sure and she said that her and her girlfriends get routine HIV tests and she was NEGATIVE. I then Washed up and never seen her again..
The Scare:
2 Days:
Following the brief encounter I began to notice weird symptoms. I was getting Flu Like Symptoms including - Sharp Achy Muscles, Hot and Sensitive scrotum skin (Felt Like Blood rushing to my Groin Area), Sore Throat ( No Cough) , Headache (Pressure behind my Eyes). After a week of Relaxing and taking flu meds I began to feel a little better, until......
1 1/2 Weeks
Skin on my body everywhere was Feeling Rashy and Sensitive, but not visible rash. I also notice my muscle began to feel weaker and sore when I did simple activities like running up stairs, or if my arm or muscle would lay on surface for prolonged time , it would ache and be sore. I also still had very mild sore throat. The other symptom that worried me was diarrhea. It began about a week after my encounter and has been pretty consistent till now ( January 25, 2007 ) . The sensitive skin continued with a feeling of sunburn and Red Blotchy Reaction if I would scratch or sweat/work. I got my first test for HIV at 2 weeks and it came back Negative.
4 Weeks
By this time I am back in Canada feeling alot better other than my skin problem, I was even noticing scaly skin developing on my hands and hair line on my face. And when i would scratch my skin it would get really Red along with my Consistent diarrhea. I decided to wait a couple more weeks to get tested again ( 2nd Test November 5,2006) and it came back negative at 1 1/2 Months.. which was great relief. All the Doctors I met with said I had no worries or any signs of ARS or HIV and that I must have picked up Virus, Bacteria and caused me to have infection... But THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT INFECTION IT COULD BE!!. So to worry me more I was told to wait until my 3 month mark to get re tested. During this time I was having Daily diarrhea in the Morning and continued to have this Red Sensitive skin Issue.-- My Palms Would get Blotchy and Red and Dry Out some weeks, Get very Dry!!.... Also I have noticed I have been drinking alot of Liquids, and using alot of hand cream.
3 Months
Its now January 25 and my symptoms are as follows
Diarrhea- Daily , mainly in morning when i wake up, seems like only time i go.
Sore Throat- Its mild , but sore.
Nasal Problems- Itchy, Sneezing
Skin- I don't know if this is Rash. But its been Consistent for 2 months, its not visible, just sensitive Red Skin all over
I Just got my 3 Month HIV Test done yesterday, they said I will have my results in 4-6 Days. I am very Very Worried, I feel this Might be the Most Conclusive answer I can get. I would like to know from the rest of you, especially people with HIV, Are these symptoms somewhat similar to what you all have experienced??. Its just I am very mad at myself for even risking myself the way I did. Please help me out.
Can any POZ people please share what type of symptoms they were experiencing?? .. I think it would be really helpful to know Day to Day and Week to Week what Changes and Symptoms you were feeling.
Thank you for all your Time , And God Bless all of you!!!!
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I dont think you will like our answers. Symptoms will vary, while I had flu like symptoms and a raging fever, Rod experienced nothing. Your symptoms dont mean anything, however your 6 week test is VERY ENCOURAGING!!! You have waited 3 months so far, only 4 more days to go or so before you get your results. Hang in there, I expect you will be negative.
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AM, as KC commented, your 6 week negative result is very encouraging. The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus.
It is significantly harder to transmit HIV from female to male than the other way around. Given that it was a single and very brief exposure when the condom broke, and bearing in mind that negative test result, I expect you will continue to test negative.
If you have symptoms which continue to trouble you that's something to discuss with your doctor.
It's good to read that you used a condom. They provide very effective protection no matter whether you are with a professional or a civilian. However, mixing excessive drinking with casual sex is a dangerous combination and one I would recommend avoiding in the future.
I expect you to come out of this one ok.
Cheers,
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WOW, thank you for responding so Fast!!... Im going nutz..
Please if anyone Else can share some Symptoms they went through, Especially People on here who are indeed HIV + , I would appreciate feedback and Comfort. Because You guys just made me Feel so much Better!!..
Thank you Everyone !!
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I appreciate your concern but in asking for the sharing of more talk about symptoms you are missing the point.
Now, pay attention and read this carefully: No matter what your mind and your feelings maybe telling you otherwise, neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms should ever be the barometer for evaluating your HIV status. The ONLY way to know your status if it's in question is by an HIV-specific test taken at the appropriate time.
You're doing that so you have a working plan.
Everything else is speculation and just feeds your (worst) fears.
Really.
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I agree with Andy - a symptomatic seroconversion can have any number of different symptoms, and only a minority of people have a symptomatic seroconversion to start off with! The only way to know is to test... hang in there.
M.
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The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus.
Andy, does it mean the HIV test results after 22 days could be reliable?
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Alex1978, stick to your own thread, do not post in others.
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I`m sorry, my fault.
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Hello!!!!
Ok, I really do Hope that this is Correct : But here is My Recent Update.
I could not sleep last Night!! .. So at 8:00AM today I went in for my 3rd HIV Test Results (Janurary 29) MY BDAY IS TOMORROW!!... and I was worried Sick.
I also want to Clarify the amount of time since the Possible Exposure has been 4 Full Months MY HIV and Syphilis TESTS Came Back NEGATIVE!!!!! I Am So HAPPY.. But still So Worried.
I know I know.... its probably in My head.. BUT these symptoms still are Bothering me, And considering all these symptoms happened to me 2 days after my Exposure, and Im talking about symptoms I have never had or Felt in My WHOLE HEATHY LIFE ----????
How Conclusive do you all feel 4 months Negative Really is??
What other Medical infections or Virus can cause My Sensitive Sun Burn Feeling SKin?
Also My diarrhea is Happening EVERY DAY since this Exposure ---- Can ANYONE Relate??
My Tounge is Occasionally getting Small Painful bumps in the Center Back area and mY throat is Constantly Dry and Sore.... this has all been Consistent for 3 months...
I just wish and Hope someone can explain something to me.. I dont want you to tell me to go see doctor for these Symptoms.. I want to know if any of you have specifically had these things happen also, and Turned out to remain NEGATIVE????
Dont get me Wrong --- I feel SOO much better with this Result today.. I really want to get my life going strong again.
Thank You for all your Help and Information.
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If you didn't want us to reply you shouldn't have posted. You are negative and if you are having symptoms see your doctor they are unrelated HIV.