POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: princezz85 on August 23, 2007, 08:02:04 pm
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Hi everyone,
Like most people here, I had a possible exposure....
I'm a 22 yr old female who had unprotected sex once with a "friend" of mine.
I got tested up to 15 weeks and was negative. My doctors tell me that 6 months is truly negative.
Should I get this 6 month test done, or am I good to go? Thanks!
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13 weeks is conclusive. You don't need to test out to 6 months. That's the old guidelines.
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The CDC is very conservative with regard to testing guidelines. For quite some time they have endorsed 13 weeks as sufficient for a reliable result except in cases involving either IV drug use or when the person has a severely compromised immune system from something like treatment for cancer. Believe me, if your immune system was compromised you'd know it because everything pretty much starts collapsing.
So yes, you have reliably tested negative for HIV and you're good to go.
However, you need to learn from this experience. You can have intercourse with whomever you like as long as the guy is always wearing a condom. No exceptions no matter what you think you know about his history or how great he looks or anything. A condom is a must!
Cheers,
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Thanks for your insight Andy and RapidRod.
Andy, when you say things start to fall apart, what do you mean by that?
Can that be common things happening to my body all at once or does it mean that I would be so sick I'd be in a hospital bed? Thanks.
I've been going to the doctor for other reasons than HIV, but am just so afraid that it's all correlated.
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When I say things fall apart, I mean severe symptoms. Extreme weight loss, weakness, and various serious physical problems.
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I was reading in the forum about two males who were confirmed to have HIV following apprx 4 months after their exposure.
Is this physically possible, can they be apart of that 3% who just seroconvert late according to the CDC?
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I don't know which cases you are referring to and for instance specifically as to if and when they had tested negative earlier. Please clarify.
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http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=5263.0
I came across this page and the last message from MadBrain states that he seroconverted after 3 months.
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Prin,
Maybe you should not read that forum. My reading of his posts tells me that it is more likely to be his partner who introduced hiv into their relationship. His situation has nothing to do with yours.
You can go on testing for this as long as you like, but your negative result will not change unless you actually have unprotected intercourse - now or in the future - with an hiv positive person.
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 with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through all three 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.
Use condoms correctly and consistently and you will continue to avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Ann
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Thanks Ann, I hope so. I just wonder who that 3% is left from the CDC guidelines because no where on their page does it say for people with Immune Deficiency etc..
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The 3% are for those the don't use condoms consistently or correctly.
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prin,
Anytime you start questioning people about their sexual practices, memories get hazy. Sometimes people don't want to admit to having unprotected intercourse while already in a window period. Vagarities like that are included in the 3% everyone is so eager to worry about.
The only people who MIGHT take a little longer to seroconvert and test positive are those on chemotherapy for cancer, anti-rejection drugs following organ transplant, or have been injecting street drugs every day, of every week, for years.
The vast majority who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six WEEKS. The current window period remains at three months, to catch the very RARE person who takes a little longer than six WEEKS.
You are hiv negative. It's up to you to stay that way. As I told another woman today:
You might be interested in checking out the information on the female condom (http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/6B8B1AB3-6C46-4EE2-9C34-9D53DF3ECE3E.asp) and other female controled methods (http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/6B363F76-5C7C-40A6-82D5-E232527ABA88.asp) of hiv prevention. And don't be afraid to carry condoms with you. Far from saying to the world that you're easy, it says to the world that you care about both yourself and others. Remember to use them!
Ann
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Thanks Ann, trust me I've learned my lesson. Can I ask you something? Do you work in the medical field or with HIV patients or do you just research this topic? I've been using condoms with my boyfriend...and he's very understandable about this.
RapidRod- I meant the quote from the CDC where it states that "97% of people will seroconvert at 3 months and the 3% that will take 6 months"
I was just wondering what's their reasoning to the 3% but Ann clarified that, I was just wondering if it stated these reasons in the CDC site.
You've all been wonderful and I've felt so much better.
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prin,
I'm hiv positive and in an eight year relationship with an hiv negative man. I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk too.
Oh, and I read first-tier, peer-review studies and discuss the findings with people like Tim Horn and Andy Velez. If you want to know more about us... see the About Us (http://www.aidsmeds.com/aboutus.shtml) page, funny enough. ;)
Ann
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Good for you for being such a positive influence.
I clicked a link you posted and came across this information... http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/6B677FE3-8CB1-4547-B2BE-B1979324985F.asp
A small number of people - probably one in a hundred of those who become infected - take more than two to three months to form antibodies, but it is highly unusual to take more than six months to form antibodies.
A very tiny percentage of people with HIV infection - one in a hundred thousand - never seem to develop any antibodies at all.
How is this possible???
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Prin,
Go look at that page again and notice when it was last updated. June 2004 - over three years ago. The field of hiv is fast-changing. We're moving closer all the time to a six week window period because it's coming more and more apparent that's all that's needed. For now, you must confirm at three months, which you have. You ARE hiv negative.
The bottom line here is - you can test at six months if you like, but your result is not going to change provided you are using condoms. If you and your boyfriend want to stop using them, you must first be securely monogamous and then test negative together.
You are hiv negative. Don't assume your boyfriend is also negative - get him to test.
Ann
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Yes, we've been dating for 4yrs actually, and I slipped up one night after a lot of drinking and made this mistake. I've managed to gain his trust back and we're very happy together. He's been tested in June and is negative for everything. I'm most probably going to test out to 6 months for my peace of mind and my boyfriend thinks it's a good idea as well.
When I read that a person may not produce anti-bodies, I got that sinking feeling in my stomach again. I've never heard such a thing and wouldn't think it was possible. I know the bodies reaction to an infection is to produce anti-bodies, so I guess a person would have to have a very IRREGULAR immune system to do so and would certainly have other issues following it.
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a person would have to have a very IRREGULAR immune system to do so and would certainly have other issues following it.
Prin, that's exactly right. If you were one of these people, you'd know about it.
You really do not need further testing. Your result will not change.
You ARE hiv negative.
Ann
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Thank you so much. I really truly believe that reading off the internet is so bad and anyone can post anything without being sued. A test can't lie, and that's all what I have is a negative HIV test.
This site is honest and gets straight to the point. Thank You Ann.
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Hi Ann,
Quick question:
Is chronic cervicitis an indication of HIV infection? I've been treated with cryotherapy 2months ago and had to get it done again a couple of days ago because the doctor said it was still inflamed.
What about chronic Bacterial Vaginosis?
Thanks!
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Prin,
These two chronic conditions are not hiv specific, no.
Remember, you do NOT have hiv. You ARE hiv negative.
If you cannot accept your hiv negative status, perhaps it's time to see a therapist to learn ways of coping with your anxiety. We cannot help you with that here.
You are hiv negative and there's nothing new to say about your situation. Keep working with your doctor in order to regain your sexual health. Whatever is going on with you has nothing to do with hiv. You are hiv negative.
Ann
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Ann, Andy anyone...
My right palm has been itching me like crazy for the last few days. I look very closely and I see a pin sized bump under the skin. I never had this before and am so concerned. I'm so tempted to get another HIV test but I don't want to waste anymore resources for other people who really need a test instead of me who just needs re assurance. Can you help me out in this situation please?
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See a doctor if you have a concern. This is not an HIV concern.
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Can it be related to HIV?
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What part of your negative result don't you understand? You are trying to relate an itchy palm with something you don't have. That is just irrational thinking.
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Rapid,
I have no where to go but this forum. My family doesn't want to talk to me re: this situation and my friends are pretty much sick of me (as I don't blame them).
I plan on testing Oct 11 (6 month mark). What are my chances of turning positive. I haven't had unprotected sex since my encounter on April 11th.
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Zero. I advise you to go back to the "Welcome" thread and reread the posting guidelines.
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Rapid,
Getting tested before three months may result in an unclear result or a false negative. Some testing centers may recommend testing again at six months. All but less than 1% of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within three months (seroconversion is the development of detectable antibodies to HIV in the blood as a result of infection.) It's extremely rare for seroconversion to take more than six months to develop detectable antibodies.
I just read this in the welcome thread... this worries me
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This should worry you even more; 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.
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Prin,
You can test all you like, but as far as we are concerned you ARE conclusively hiv negative. You will not be permitted to continue to use this forum in place of a therapist's and/or doctor's office.
You ARE hiv negative and there's nothing more we can do for you here. You are heading for a time out - please consider yourself warned.
Ann
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Hi Ann,
Sorry for being such a nuisance yesterday... it was just "one of those days"
I was wondering, you give out such great advice, do you give peer lectures to the youth??
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Prin,
Not yet, but I'm hoping to sometime in the near future. And thank you for the compliment - it's been years since anyone said "peer" and "youth" in the same sentence when speaking about me. ;D
Ann
(who is firmly middle aged)
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Well you may say ur middle aged, but your youthful at heart. :)
I'm looking into going to a psych therapist during these next couple of days. I need to gain control of my life again and I need to get a lot off my chest and think it would help me tremendously in my life. Thank you again.
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I know this is an HIV forum but maybe you have an answer for me:
Should I be worried about Hep C, I took a test 2 months after exposure and was negative.
What about Hep B? I had a vaccine back in 1993, I was 8yrs old. Am I ok for this?
I'm sorry if I've insulted or offended anyone with my posts, if nobody has an answer for me, that's ok.
Thank you again for your help.
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Prin,
No, you don't need to worry about hep C. As for hep B, you most likely still have antibodies against it - and immunity - from when you were vaccinated. The only way to find out is to be tested by your doctor.
I deleted the reply you made in someone else's thread. If you'd read the Welcome thread like you've been asked to, you would have read the following posting guideline:
Only those Moderators and members who are authorized to answer questions in the Am I Infected? forum are permitted do so. Unauthorized responses may be deleted without permission of the poster. Repeatedly posting replies of this nature may result in a Time Out or permanent ban, at the discretion of the Moderator Team.
Please don't let me find you in another thread again. Thanks.
I think the therapist is a great idea - you owe it to yourself. Good luck - and stick with it.
Ann
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Ann,
I'm sorry, I thought I was helping out. I have fully read and understood the "welcome thread"
I looked back at my Hep B lab test, they didn't test for anti-bodies, they tested for Hep B surface antigens and I did it 8 weeks after my last exposure and it was negative, not sure if you are familiar in this area.
Thank you again for being wonderful.
-Princess
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Prin,
Hep B testing is a little complicated. The test you had so far means you weren't infected, and you are most likely still covered by your vaccination. You'll have to see your doctor for further testing if you want to find out if your vaccination is still protecting you - and it should be.
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HBV_9979.shtml - more information on hep B testing.
Ann
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Thanks Ann :)
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Can common hand warts be a sign of a weakened immune system? I had them two years ago and have been wart free until last month. Can stress make them come back because I've been stressing a lot for the last 4 months.
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Prin,
Let's see how many ways I can put this:
You don't have hiv.
You are hiv negative.
You have tested conclusively hiv negative and that means you don't have hiv.
I could probably come up with a few more, but I'm tired.
Take your warts to your doctor - they have nothing to do with hiv - and while you're there, ask for a referral to a reputable therapist as you can't seem to let this go.
You ARE hiv negative!
You are also quickly heading for a time out.
Ann
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Ann,
I went for my first therapy session yesterday and feel much better. It's the best thing I've done in a long time.
I have a quick question for you as my Dr. is on vacation all of next week. I've read many sources (even CDC site) that HCV is not primarily spread through sex but it is a possibility. Is it spread through semen or just blood? Also is this a theoretical risk or are there actual reported cases of this happening.
Thanks again. :)
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Prin,
The main sexual activity that has been shown to be a risk for hcv is fisting. If you have to ask what that is, then you haven't engaged in it and don't need to worry.
HCV is strictly blood-borne, so unless blood is drawn during the sex act, there's not a risk.
And please remember, this is a website that deals with hiv, not hcv. You're still under a time out warning. It's time you gave it up and moved on with your life - or seek counseling to enable you to do so. We cannot help you with that here.
Ann
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Just an update,
I tested negative for HCV antibodies a week before the 5 months mark. I'm putting all my fears behind me. Thank you all for being such a great support system.