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Author Topic: Needless overkill?  (Read 4271 times)

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Offline PD

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Needless overkill?
« on: November 23, 2006, 07:21:45 am »
I stupidly had unprotected vaginal sex in October 2005 with a female stranger I met in a bar that night.  I had a proviral DNA done after 11 days and then 4th Gen. antibody tests at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months post exposure.  All of these were negative (done at a private clinic in London, UK)

Here I am nearly 15 months later and I keep hearing crap about testing beyond these limits which spooks me now and again.  Can I assume that with all of these negative tests (and no exposures since then) that I am absolutely 100% okay??

Appreciate any answers from the experts.

Cheers.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2006, 08:29:12 am »
PD,

You didn't need any testing past the twelve week point. You are without doubt hiv negative.

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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Use condoms and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline PD

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Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2006, 08:48:44 am »
Thanks Ann.  I tested clear for all other STDs too.

Where do all these untrue rumours originate from then? It is very confusing. 

Are you basically saying that I am in the clear and need no further testing? Can I have unprotected sex with my partner? (her status is negative).

Cheers.

Offline PD

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Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2006, 08:57:26 am »
FYI - The reason for the above question as well is because we want to try for a baby.

Cheers.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2006, 11:52:25 am »
PD,

In the UK, the window period is only twelve weeks and you didn't need that six month test. As to why there is so much outdated or just plain wrong hiv information out there, I wish I knew. It's the bane of my existence.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and more so from a woman to a man. The odds always were in your favour of testing negative after a one-time encounter.

You are conclusively hiv negative - you're good to go.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline PD

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  • Posts: 8
Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2006, 12:06:06 pm »
Thanks Ann.

I guess the trick is to have faith in the results and steer clear of outdated information on the net.  How long has the window period been 12 weeks in the UK? I guess it's been researched to the nth degree?

You are a great help...

Cheers - PD.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
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Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2006, 12:39:19 pm »
PD,

I'm not sure how long exactly the window period has been twelve weeks, but it's quite a few years now. And yes, it's been exhaustively researched.

In fact, the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six WEEKS. The window period remains at twelve weeks to catch the rare person who takes a little longer than six weeks to seroconvert. I fully expect the window period to change to six weeks sometime in the next few years.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline PD

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2007, 12:54:13 pm »
Hi Ann,

Where does all the outdated "6 months test" view originate from? I tested out to 6 months but sometimes get the odd thought of whether I should test again for the sake of my family.  I guess it's the mind playing tricks.  6 months test is more than enough isn't it?

Sorry to be a pain.

PD

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2007, 01:17:29 pm »
PD, you never needed to test beyond 13 weeks. The CDC has recommended that as reliable testing point for sometime.

You ARE HIV negative. Period. End of story.

As for those thoughts which continue to pop into your mind -- that's about thoughts and feelings and NOT facts. A negative test result at 13 weeks is a fact.

You're HIV negative. No matter what doubts your mind may toss up from time to time.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline PD

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2007, 01:30:38 pm »
Thanks Andy.  I'll try to stick to the facts when it pops into my head. 

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Needless overkill?
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2007, 02:21:58 pm »
Good plan, that.

And now, on with your life!

Cheers,
Andy Velez

 


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