blondie221:
Hello everyone. I've read so many conflicting things on the internet regarding timeframes for the onset of ARS and for how long it takes for antibodies to become detectable. I'd appreciate your opinions.
I am a female, and had unprotected anal and vaginal sex with an acquaintance of mine 7 wks. and 2 days ago. I went in for an ELISA test at exactly 6 wks. after possible exposure, and it came back negative. However, starting 2 days ago (7 wks. after possible exposure), I have been experiencing a sore throat and sore neck, and had a headache on the first day. Also feeling fatigued, despite 10 hrs. of sleep per night. My temperature ranges from 98.6 F to 99.5 F. Also some slight soreness of the eyes. Could ARS be beginning now, hence my negative test from last week?
I'm not sure when my partner was last tested for HIV. But he does have a 1 month old child, so at least as recently as 10 months ago he was HIV negative. He is not bisexual and is not an IV drug user.
I know it is impossible to give a diagnosis over the internet based on just a list of symptoms, but so many of the participants on this forum seem to have the most up-to-date knowledge, so I'd appreciate any help/opinions you might have.
AlexQ:
Your 6 week negative is extremely encouraging. The forum does not discuss the specifics of ARS mainly due to the fact the symptoms are too varied, including no symptoms. Your symptoms don't sound like anything other than being tired and your temp is in the normal range. Retest at 13 weeks for a conclusive result, we expect it to be negative as well. Protect yourself next time and save yourself some anxiety.
RapidRod:
ARS symptoms, if they happen at all is 2-4 weeks after exposure. Most infected people will have antibodies by six weeks. 98.6 F to 99.5 F is not considered having a temperature.
Ann:
--- Quote from: blondie221 on June 02, 2006, 04:04:53 pm ---I'm not sure when my partner was last tested for HIV. But he does have a 1 month old child, so at least as recently as 10 months ago he was HIV negative. He is not bisexual and is not an IV drug user.
--- End quote ---
Blondie,
You need to know you CANNOT assume a that a person is hiv negative just because they have a child. Being a parent is no bar to being positive. You can't tell a person's hiv status by how they look or what you think you know about them. The ONLY way to know someone's hiv status is through being in a securely monogamous relationship with them where you have tested negative TOGETHER. You must be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exception until you have tested together with your partner.
Symptoms or the lack of symptoms mean nothing when it comes to hiv infection. The ONLY way to know your status is through testing. None of your symptoms are hiv specific.
As the others have said, the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks. A negative result at the six week point must be confirmed at the 12-13 week point, but a six week negative is unlikely to change.