POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Jynkx on October 06, 2006, 04:45:48 pm
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I will keep this as brief as possible. I appreciate all the effort the moderators of this site do and it really has given me a great deal of hope regarding my current situation (positive or negative).
I have done about as much reading as I can on the subject and realize that HIV cannot be diagnosed via symptoms. I think I am posting this more to release some anxiety and have someone to tell about my current situation as I really have been unable to tell anyone and it's been killing me inside slowly.
Protected Vaginal Intercourse with a female massage parlour girl. I am such an idiot. It was also my first time having sex. Ya boo hoo, I am over that ridiculous mistake. My biggest concern is I did not get a good look at the condom during intercourse. She put it on and took it off before I could see it. What a dumb ass, but as this was my first time, I guess I shouldnt beat myself up too much over it.
Immediately following the incident I had weird symptoms.
Day 0 - Day 5: Urethral tingling/Scrotum pain (gone after 5 days)
Day 5 - Day 11: Nausea but only while trying to eat. It was not constant just when I tried to get food into me and was very on/off. I was obviously very worried at this point (maybe it was anxiety). Sweating on and off as well and feeling very tired. I don't believe I had fever although I never checked because I was terrified to do so.
Day 12-21: Odd tingling of what I think is a lymph node under my ear, one night of sweats, one day of tingling/loss of feeling in hands and feet and one day of pretty serious lower abdominal pain (felt like burning would rate it at 6/10)
Day 22-38 (present): Strange pain underarms, possibly lymph nodes but I truthfully have no idea. The pain is real, but whether it's anxiety related or physical it's hard for me to say. I would rate the pain at 1/10. Same weird pain in neck. Feels like lump in my throat.
Day 33-38 (present): Noticed a weird lump on my right inner thigh. I have idea if a lymph node is there or whether it is just a tense muscle.
Throughout this whole ordeal I have not felt like myself. More tired, some nights of insomnia, weird pains, etc. It's weird I keep fighting with myself pretty much every single day between whether I have it or don't have it. I realize I am going crazy and I am normally I very rational person.
I have booked a test in 2 weeks. This will be approximately 8 weeks after exposure, but I felt it was necessary for my mental health.
I just can't seem to rationalize that all these weird symptoms are anxiety related. I know it's possible, but certain pains do seem real.
Thank you for listening. I have been unable to tell anyone of this madness and it's affecting my every waking and sleeping moments. Thank you for listening to so many in my situation.
27 year old x-virgin. Virginity is under-rated. lol.
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Jyn,
You didn't have a risk of hiv infection. Condoms have been proven to be effective when it comes to preventing hiv transmission.
When a condom breaks, it is a very obvious event and you would have noticed. Also, you can be the sex worker would have commented on a broken condom. She makes sure condoms are being used to protect HER health, not yours. She would have grilled you about your sexual health if the condom was broken.
Keep using those condoms and you will 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 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.
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 and avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.
Ann
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Thx for the reply Ann.
I know my chances are extremely good. I really can't believe I am going through this pain. I have had problems with Depression but they have never become physical symptoms.
I did take a test at 6 weeks. I understand in Canada they use 3rd gen. tests (I think). I have one more week to wait before I get the results. It's driving me slowly crazy waiting. 2 weeks is just too long.
The only comment I have is that I have been having strange pains in my groin, armpits and neck. Like I will get a shooting ache in groin. Then an hour later in armpits and so on. I have no idea if my lymph nodes are swollen. I poke around every now and then but I can't really say for sure if I feel anything out of the ordinary.
The other thing that probably bothers me most is my nails. I have a strange faint horizonatal white line running along my nails. Pretty faint, but I don't think it was there before.
I know this probably will not change your response, but again, just typing this out is a release of sorts. Do either of these things sound suspicious (aches and nails)?
One more week of waiting. I am confident that a negative 6 week result will turn me around. In my heart I do feel that I am somehow positive though. Even with the condom, although, as I said I don't know if it broke or not. It could have. I can never know.
Thx again for this site and to all moderators, you have my thanks.
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Fortunately feelings aren't facts. Even though we sometimes "feel" as if they are. So there's no basis in HIV science for you to be concerned about this debut sexual experience that you had. Condoms provide very effective protection and you fears notwithstanding there's no evidence that the condom didn't function properly.
Right now you are busily (mis)interpreting everything through an HIV jitters mindset. The reality is there's no basis in HIV science that points to HIV infection here. If your symptoms continue to trouble you, discuss them with your doctor.
Becoming sexually active is very exciting. It also frequently stirs up a lot of anxiety, which I believe is playing some part in your reaction to the experience.
I certainly expect you to test negative. You also ought to keep in mind there are other STDs out there. If you're sexually active it's a good idea to regularly have a full STD panel done -- at least annually and every six months is even better.
This time out I don't see any cause for concern abut HIV.
Cheers,
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Thank you Andy for such a quick response. I will not post again until I get my result in 1 week, which I do expect a negative, and I am sure will help ease if not kill off this anxiety.
Thx again moderators. You are the best site for timely educated questions & answers I have found and like many worried well I have been to all them 100 times. If anyone else is reading this. STAY OFF THE INTERNET. Sites like this are good. Symptom searching is terrible. It does no good. You can punch into google "I was abducted by Aliens and hiv" and come up with a million reasons why YOU have hiv. It's ludicrous to assume every ache and pain is HIV related.
I am more guilty of this than anyone.
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6 week STD tests. NEGATIVE for Gon. Clam. Syphilus. and HIV.
Considering I realize now that I didn't have much risk to begin with I am moving on with my life. The last 8 weeks has been absolute hell. I learned a LOT about myself going through this. Honestly, it was ridiculous.
The test was something called MEIA? and it was an antibody test which to me means good stuff. I don't know whether I will test again at 12 weeks, but I AM putting this behind me for good.
Let me tell you something about symptoms.
Over the past 6 weeks I have had: hot flashes (which I thought were fever), night sweats, nausea, upset stomach, sore throat, multiple swollen lymph nodes (I am pretty sure, but I am no Doctor), small rash on chest and arm, join pain, muscle pain, lalalalalalalala.
I added it all up and assumed it was guaranteed. Oh, I even had minor paralysis in hand and feet. I punched all of this stuff into Google and added HIV at the end and BLAMO, I was F&^$ed.
IT ADDED UP TO NOTHING is the truth, except something called severe Anxiety/Depression/Guilt/Shame, you name it whatever you want.
Next time try punching any of those symptoms in and instead of typing in HIV or ARS type in ANXIETY or STRESS. Crazy.
I was crazy. My life stopped for the last 8 weeks. I am done with this for now. Time to start looking ahead.
To all the "worried wells" out there. Please listen to the moderators. DONT surf other peoples threads and DONT symptom search on the internet.
I think I took a year off my life with all this hell.
To the Moderators (Ann/Andy) et all of them, your daily patience amazes me. Truly something to be proud of. Thank you for having this site and thank you for being real.
Jynkx.
did I say THANK YOU. big big hugs to all of you. One more thing. TRUST YOUR TEST RESULTS. Believe them, because they are the TRUE. Your fears are not.
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MEIA is the Elisa test. Enzyme Immuno Assay.
Yes Canada uses 3rd Generation tests.
You didn't need to test, but since you did, please, as you stated, accept your negative result and move on.
Sae.
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Thx Sae. Appreciate it. I am moving on. Making plans already. I have let so much slip over the last many weeks.
I need to stay off the forums for good now. Peace to you friend.
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Congrats on those happy if not unexpected test results. Celebrate by reminding yourself that when you get around to having intercourse you always need to be using a latex condom.
In the meantime just get on with having a great life.
Cheers,
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I'm back for one final follow up question.
I had a final HIV test post 13 weeks just to put this to rest. I got a rapid finger prick test done.
It was negative (obviously), but one thing did bother me.
The guy pricked my finger and went away with the little plastic bowl.
He came back no more than 2 minutes later with the bowl and showed me my negative result (one single blue dot versus two).
I am finally putting this whole issue to rest, however, I would like confirmation that this test can be completed so quickly. It was very fast (no more than 2-3 mins).
Thank you for all your help. I won't waste anymore of your time, what you do here is appreciated.
EDIT. and yes, I am seeking some help to deal with my depression/anxiety as I feel that is the real cause of all my symptoms.
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Yes, rapid tests are that quick, hence the term rapid. Your negative isn't surprising given the non nature of your incident. Too bad betting on the outcome would be frowned upon by the site owners as I always look for the sure thing.
Move on and keep using those condoms and you'll be fine.
regards
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What test was used? The time depends on the test. Your description with the dots sounds almost possibly like the Reveal Rapid test, which does take 3 minutes, but I was sure it was run on serum and plasma, but I could be wrong. That does have blue dots like your description. The other rapid tests I am aware of: the Multispot, Oraquick, Uni-Gold all take longer. So really you'd have to check what test the lab used.
But anyhow by what I read you didn't have a risk, so the negative result isn't surprising and you should accept it. But if you must, contact the lab for your peace of mind. You are definitely HIV negative though.
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Coffee, you are correct. Reveal Rapid G2 and G3 tests gives the results in 3 minutes.
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Hrm. Well you have successfully confused me (plasma? serum?). Sorry, but I will explain a little better.
My finger was pricked and blood was collected via a small pipette.
The test was conducted in a tiny little bowl. Some sort of cap was placed over the bowl and I was told that 1 blue dot would appear if negative and 2 blue dots would appear if positive (blue dots appear on the cap).
He left the room and no more than 2 minutes later came back with the tiny bowl. The bowl clearly showed 1 blue dot. It all happened so fast and I was very confused that he came back so quickly.
Forgetting about the fact that I had a supposed "no risk event", I would like to have confidence in my test results. The test was conducted in Toronto Canada if that means anything.
Thank you for your help guys. Sorry to be a bother.
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RevealŪG3 Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test (Reveal G3) is the third generation of MedMiras Reveal line of rapid HIV tests. Reveal G3 is the fastest rapid HIV test available in the US, delivering test results in less than 3 minutes.
Alert:
In October 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved changes to the RevealŪ G2 Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test product format. Immediately following this approval MedMira began distribution of the RevealŪ G3 Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test in the United States. Please note that the Test Procedure differs between the RevealŪ G2 and RevealŪ G3 products.
http://www.reveal-hiv.com/index.html (http://www.reveal-hiv.com/index.html)
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I would like to have confidence in my test results.
The rapid test you are referring to underwent extensive clinical trials in several cities in Canada in mid 05 or so. In order to be approved for use in Canada, HIV tests must perform to strict specifications and are regulated by Health Canada.
While rapid testing hasn't made it into mainstream testing in the Provincial setting there are a few private clinics such as the Hassle Free clinic in Toronto that use this approved technology. Rest assured that your test accurately reflected your status. The blue dot test is very easy to use and requires minimal training of clinical staff.
Don't worry about the serum plasma stuff, it's superfluous to your question.
Congrats on your negative test
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Hrm. Well you have successfully confused me (plasma? serum?). Sorry, but I will explain a little better.
My finger was pricked and blood was collected via a small pipette.
The test was conducted in a tiny little bowl. Some sort of cap was placed over the bowl and I was told that 1 blue dot would appear if negative and 2 blue dots would appear if positive (blue dots appear on the cap).
He left the room and no more than 2 minutes later came back with the tiny bowl. The bowl clearly showed 1 blue dot. It all happened so fast and I was very confused that he came back so quickly.
Forgetting about the fact that I had a supposed "no risk event", I would like to have confidence in my test results. The test was conducted in Toronto Canada if that means anything.
Thank you for your help guys. Sorry to be a bother.
Sorry for confusing you. I was confusing between Reveal G2 and G3. I remember now that the REveal G3 made some changes and it is much less complex than the Reveal G2. As for serum, plasma--that would have meant a tube of blood was drawn as opposed to the fingerstick. Reveal G2 (an earlier formulation) was considered moderately complex by CLIA and requred a tube of blood be drawn.
Anyhow, now that I look at my notes--Reveal G3 test sounds like it possibly could be it and it definitely fits your description--it has a blue dot and it only takes 3 minutes. Both tests have a blue dot--but the samples requirements are more broad for Reveal G3. That same company Medmira also makes a different test that also calls for a drop of blood (or can take other samples) and that takes only 2 minutes. So anyhow, my money is that is is one of those.
Anyhow, the time is really irrelevant. Rapid testing is rapid testing--I've given you 2 examples that definitely fit that fast time frame. So it is possible to find a test that can be performed that fast. I guarantee you that the clinic would not be secretly stopping the test early in a quest to give everyone negative results. You can have confidence in those results.
So to sum it up. Your situation: no risk. Your test: conclusive.
My apologies again for confusing you. I did have notes on various Rapid test assays when I was back shopping for what Rapid test we would use (I eventually chose Orasure) and should have looked at those first instead of babbling.
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Coffee, do I need to buy you a cup of coffee this morning? :D
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The pot is brewing as we speak, but I never say no to a free cup of coffee. :)
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Better make it a double double decaf Rodney ;)
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JYN, this is the entry you posted in a new thread:
"I apologize for starting a new thread, but this is a different question.
I had sex again using a condom that stayed on the entire time and did not break. However, 3 things bother me.
(1) The condom did slip up my shaft a bit during the session, however, the head of my penis remained covered.
(2) I had a small scratch at the base underside of my penis that was definitely not covered during intercourse. So it did come into contact with fluids.
(3) I was not completely hard at all times so I wonder if some fluids got into the base of the condom as it was not always a tight seal.
I think I know your answer, but should I be concerned about any of these 3 things. It's madness that I feel anxiety over this, but honestly, I just need a simple answer if there is any conceivable way transmission could take place in such a scenario (scratch, condom slipping up a bit or not being completely erect).
Thanks in advance."
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STOP STARTING NEW THREADS!
ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS SHOULD GO IN THIS SAME THREAD. I HAVE DELETED THE THREAD YOU JUST BEGAN WITH THE ABOVE QUESTION.
As to your question, the most important thing is that you used a condom and the head of your penis was covered. Some slippage is common with condoms and is not a cause for concern. You might try a different size to see if that fits and works any better for you. As for the nick or scratch or whatever you had further down your shaft, that too is not uncommon and is not a means for transmission. Erections can vary in firmness during intercourse. You were STILL properly protected. In short you are worrying needlessly.
Cheers,
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My apologies and thank you for such an immediate response. I will forget about this.
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Go here for good condom info!
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/A3A8AC7F-76A2-4632-9015-9AD643811C60.asp
(with mad props to Ann for the link! Miss you girl!)
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Sorry for coming back and wasting your time. It is appreciated.
Final question as I need someone outside my own head to tell me what I already should know by now.
I had unprotected (never again) intercourse and got tested 6 months later with same rapid 3min test (negative). I recently discovered a lesion on my foot that is not going away and is driving my brain into overdrive again. I also have had numerous health problems (mostly nerve related) that remain undiagnosed.
Is a 6 month rapid result 100% conclusive?
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Move on. Your concern has nothing to do with HIV. You have a conclusive test result.
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Jyn,
You are conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv. Take your foot to your doctor and get it sorted out. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with hiv. You do not have hiv.
Ann
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Quick update.
I recieved a massage 2 weeks ago (normal massage no handjob, maybe she touched my penis once or twice, and was nude). Oil was used. Immediately following the event (about 5 days later) I noticed 2 swollen lymph nodes (1 behind knee and 1 under armpit) then exactly 2 weeks later I got sick with slight fever and sore throat. Exactly as the symptoms described during an ARS type event.
My mind is in overdrive again and I just need someone to tell me I'm nuts.
The coincidence is too much to handle at the moment. The internet is a dangerous tool. I'm trying to stay away, but just needed one more bit of confirmation from the experts.
Thank you.
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Nothing you are reporting in relation to your massage experience was in any way a risk for HIV transmission. Zilch. Zero risk.
If your symptoms persist discuss them with your doctor. It's not an HIV situation.
However, I do strongly urge you to kick the web habit. It will only feed your worst fears to no good purpose. Really.
Cheers,