POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: ILUVLIFE on September 25, 2006, 06:45:41 pm
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EXACTLY EIGHT WEEKS AGO I HAD UNPROTECTED SEX IN SWIMMING POOL FOR ABOUT TEN MINTUES. I WENT TO THE CLINIC AND TESTED FOR HIV AND IT WAS NEGATIVE AT SEVEN AND HALF WEEKS BUT I ALSO GOT STD TEST AND ONLY HAD CHLAMYDIA I . WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF ME STILL GETTIN HIV. ANN IF YOU CAN REPLY THIS WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL OR WHOMEVER WOULD LIKE TO.
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By unprotected sex do you mean vaginal or anal intercourse? Are you a male or a female? Makes a difference in terms of risk.
However, I will say that 1) the average time to seroconversion is 22 days and 2) all but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after a risky incident.
A negative at 7.5 weeks is very, very encouraging. I would expect you to continue to test negative.
Learn from this experience. You can have as much sex as you want without regard to the HIV status of your partners as long as whoever is the insertive partner is always wearing a latex condom. No exceptions.
Please clarify if I have missed something.
Also, you do not have to write everything in caps. It's considered rude and the equivalent of shouting. We "get" that you are concerned without your having to do that.
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By unprotected sex do you mean vaginal or anal intercourse? Are you a male or a female? Makes a difference in terms of risk.
However, I will say that 1) the average time to seroconversion is 22 days and 2) all but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after a risky incident.
A negative at 7.5 weeks is very, very encouraging. I would expect you to continue to test negative.
Learn from this experience. You can have as much sex as you want without regard to the HIV status of your partners as long as whoever is the insertive partner is always wearing a latex condom. No exceptions.
Please clarify if I have missed something.
Also, you do not have to write everything in caps. It's considered rude and the equivalent of shouting. We "get" that you are concerned without your having to do that.
Im sorry it was with a female and it was vaginal for ten minutes. And i do truly appreciate your help. Are my chances slim or did they increase?
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OK, thanks for the clarification.
My opinion remains the same. The negative at 7.5 weeks is very encouraging. Given that it was a single incident I expect you will continue to test negative. Re-test at 13 weeks.
And remember, in the future that whenever you have intercourse you need to wearing a latex condom. Unprotected intercourse means you are risking your life. It's as stark and as simple as that. You can enjoy yourself -- just wear a condom every time.
Good luck with your test.
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Hi,
I just deleted your newest thread before it drew any responses. Please keep your entries in your original thread and don't start a new one everytime you have another question or commnet. You can re-enter it here if you wish.
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im sorry about the that but i have another question its been nine weeks and my hiv test was negative . i have been told you couldnt go by symptoms to diagnose hiv. but to let you know i feel fine. and im afraid that im one of those people who will convert after the four to six week seroconversion period. im perfectly healthy that i know of as of last week from the check up . i play football and i work out could this effect my test i drink occasionally and smoke weed once a week. my last exposure unprotected with a female and i am a male was nine weeks ago i just wanted to know if my test was pretty conclusive. and im not on chemo or anything like that.
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A negative at 9 weeks is virtually an all clear. To remover any doubts I suggest you follow the CDC recommendation which is to test at 13 weeks past the most recent unprotected incident.
Nothing you are reporting leads me to expect that you will get other than another negative test result.
You need to take some nice deep and slow breaths because you are working your nerves unnecessarily and all to no good purpose. Really.
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i just want to thank you very much andy you have been a big help for and really eased my mind. i really hope i will continue to test negative at the 13 week mark. But one more question why is the virus fragile and harder to transmit more so from a woman to a man?
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Life,
The hiv virus is said to be fragile because it is very sensitive to changes in its environment. It has little "plugs" on its surface that need to find the correct "sockets" on the correct kind of cell and plug into these sockets. The plugs as well as the surface membrane of the virus are easily damaged and rendered useless by changes in temperature, pH levels and moisture levels. When the plugs and/or surface of the virus becomes damaged, it cannot plug into another cell and infect.
Transmission and infection is harder to accomplish from a woman to a man because the correct cells that hiv needs to plug into are only found within the urethra (pee hole) on the man's penis. This is a very small area and difficult for the virus to enter into. On the other hand, a vagina or rectum has much more surface area and more of the correct cells present.
I totally agree with Andy - your nine week negative is unlikely to change, although you do need to confirm that at the three month point.
Ann
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hi ann thanx for replying i had sex in a chlorine filled pool at 9 weeks i took a an hiv test and a std screening, negative for hiv and had no other stds other than chlamydia. would chlorine have some affect on the transmission would it make it easier to contract or no but i assume it wouldnt have an affect because i got chlamydia out the whole deal.
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ILUVLIFE,
Stop stressing, if you tested negative once get tested in three months time and if you still get a negative please count your blessings and practice safe sex at all times.
You can't look at someone and know what disease they are carrying so stop taking chances with your life.
Respect yourself..........love yourself............and protect yourself!
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Life,
Where you had intercourse doesn't matter, it's the fact that you had intercourse without a condom that matters. However, the odds are still in your favour of coming out of this hiv negative, especially with that negative result at nine weeks. Most people who have actually been infected will test positive by SIX weeks. Your result is not likely to change, but you did have a risk and you do need to confirm your negative status at three months.
Ann
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you know i really do appreciate your info. you know when you call the cdc hotlines 4-6 weeks seroconversion is not even mentioned its 3-6 months but form you info you have here six moths is useless unless your and die hard drug user or going through chemo. im sorry july 20th 2006 was the time i had this unprotected encounter. sept 20,2006 was the day i took my hiv test the were sent off that night to the lab and by the next night they faxed my results to doctors office it came back negative. so about nine and half now im negative what are the chances i will serocnvert past this point. mind you i feel very healthy, im not going through chemo or anything and i play football and work out. could this effect my test and at nine and a half how conclusive are my results?
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Life,
You've been told several times now that your results are not likely to change. Only a three month test is conclusive - but your nine week negative is the next best thing.
Forget the CDC. They contradict themselves all the time.
Ann
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hi everyone i would just like to thank all the helpers in this forum for giving and providing us with all the helpful information on hiv.
with that being said i have a few more questions.
1. how many people on this forum who tested negative at six weeks serconvert past that point?
2. what exactly does a depleted immune system mean?
3.if i had one unprotected sexual encounter with a female that was hiv positive and had an depleted immune sysytem would that also stretch my seroconversion period to the 3 to six month period. Keep in mind my immune system is fine.
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I can't recall anyone who tested poz here after a negative at 6 weeks.
A depleted immune system is not a subtle event. All kinds of things are usually collapsing physically when that happens and you wouldn't have to wonder if it was happening. You would be in your doctor's office or a hospital. No kidding. When your immune system goes down to that extent all kinds of extreme stuff starts happening.
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sorry but i have a somemore questions and i would truly appreciate you alls knowledge.
1. if you have an healthy immune system would it take longer to develop antibodies for hiv or would it fall right into the 22 days and four to six weeks category ? mind you i havent had no sex since my unprotected incident and no drugs or nothig
2. i took my test at nine weeks exactly it all came back negative. the girl i had sex with is not known to b hiv poz but she hasnt been tested it was only a one time thing for ten mintues in water and i just wanted to know the percentage or some indication of how accurate my test at nine weeks is ?
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Your question was answered in the above post.
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where ?
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You don't read the replies that are given you? Try replay#6
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yes i do im sorry im just so worried that im that person thats going to seroconver past nine weeks. but this is my last question i took antibodies on a monday for chlamydia and on a wednsday i took the shot for it now on that wednsday i also took my hiv test would those things effect my hiv test ?
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No, antibiotics will not affect your results.
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thank you vey much rapid rod i really appreciate your input
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r
another question if my lymph nodes were to swell in neck will just one swell or will all of them swell and is it painful and noticeable?
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No, it would not be painful. If you THINK you have swollen nodes, see your doctor.
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i went to go see my doctor today because of some concerns i have with lymph nodes and i have a slightly swollen lymph node in the back of my neck just below my hairline thats hardly noticiable but you can feel it. he told me it can be from many things. he also took a look at my throat everything looked perfect my blood pressure is great and a perfectly normal tempature. (no fever) but i do feel pains underneath my armpits that last for like two seconds and when i cough my abs hurt i do play football just had a game and i did slide on my stomach so maybe that cold be it im not feeling sick or anything like that no night sweats unless its extremely hot in the room but last night i did sweat underneath my left armpit when i woke up my sleve was a little wet . i wondering if im expierincing ars symptoms. please help i really do appreciate you guys
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Life,
Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms mean nothing when it comes to hiv infection. Only the appropriate test at the appropriate time will reliably reveal your true hiv status.
I do not expect your negative seven and a half week test result to change.
Ann
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thank you very much ann i made a mistake and i really took my test at nine weeks
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Life,
It's highly unlikely that you will go on to test anything other than negative at your three month test.
Ann
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does it sound like i have ars?
1. one swollen lymph node on the back of my neck under my hairline barely noticable.
2.mouth and lips are dry most of the day.
3. no fever
4. i have a cough but only when i try to clear my throat. (not persitant)
5. sore underneath my armpits but only when i flex the muscles do they hurt. left arm pit sweated last night while sleeping.
6. no rash
7. my ears clogg alot lately from time to time
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NO, it doesn't sound like ARS. Your more likely to get hit by a falling cow from the sky,than your negative test to turn positive after nine weeks.
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moderators i am very scared a nine week negative i dont use iv drugs or anything. and for the first time in my life i have a swollen lymph node on the back of my neck that i can feel when i rub it. the doctor said it nothing to worry about but doctors will say anything. i have pain on the left side of my back that hurts when i breathe time to time im scared ann, rapid, and andy, why is all this happening i dont feel sick i feel fairly good and i dont have a fever. so why is my lymph swollen i dont know my doctor said it could be from a cut or scrape that got infected. i feel pains in the back of both my knees from time to time for like two seconds at times and as well as my under arms for two seconds as well please help i talked to my mom she said im becoming a hypercohondriac i dont want to believe her
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What do you expect anyone to tell you here other than what you have already heard?
With a negative at 9 weeks it's virtually a slam dunk that you will continue to test negative.
You don't seem to be listening to anything but your fears. If you have symptoms that's something to discuss with your doctor, although you don't seem very interested in what he has to say either.
Maybe it's time to see a therapist or other mental health professional to get some help with dealing with your fears.
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you will be fine im thinking of you just try and stay busy
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A 6 week test is at least 90 percent accurate your looking good to bein ok
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just asking a question if you say vast majority seroconvert within 4 to 6 weeks on average being 22 days whats the need for the three months ? just asking! who wouldnt be in the vast majority?
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Kitty,
You are in no position to give advice on this website. Please keep any further comments in your own thread ONLY.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Ann
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Life,
The three month window period exists to catch the rare person who takes longer than six weeks to seroconvert and test positive. Hiv is serious and we don't want to miss anyone's infection. So far, I've yet to see anyone test negative at six weeks and test positive after (over the same incident). This doesn't mean it never happens, but it is rare.
Ann
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does it matter which generation test that was used cause im not sure i did it through lab corp does the four to six week rule apply and can i still count on my nine week negative to be virtually all clear
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i would truly appreciate that advice
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i dont mean to be rude but i just wanted somebody to answer my question i have these pains in my groin where i noticed a swollen lymph node on my left side and the back of my knees hurt from tim to time and my under arms have pain im convienced lymph nodes are swelling there in them as well i have a lymph node on the back of my neck but still no fever i have a noticable node on my groin and neck and feel pains everywhere and with a neg. nine week result and with lord knows what generation test they used if that even matters (they drew blood) im scared im getting ars and im one of those people that will show positive at the twelve and thirteen week mark. please reply this would ease my mind
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Pain in the lymph nodes is not any indication of ARS. Swollen lymph nodes do not cause pain in ARS. I suppose you are diagnosing yourself for swollen lymph nodes? Like you've been told in the past, symptoms or lack of symptoms is no way of determining if someone has been infected. Only a test at the appropriate time will tell.
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Life,
The generation of test only matters in the first few weeks. It doesn't matter by week nine. Your nine week negative result is highly unlikely to change.
If your lymph nodes are bothering you, keep you hands off them and show them to a doctor. It's nothing to do with hiv.
Ann
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but the one on the back of my neck and groin are not hurting its just under my arms and both back of knees im just scared i heard in ars a fever is almost always present is this true
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Life,
You've been told that symptoms or even the lack of symptoms mean nothing when it comes to hiv infection.
Stop looking at your body through the lens of hiv. Your nine week negative result is highly unlikely to change.
If your lymph nodes are bothering you, keep you hands off them and show them to a doctor. It's nothing to do with hiv.
Ann
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hey moderators can you answer me this please i called the place where i got my hiv test dont at which was lab corp they told me they just check for the virus in the test is the antibody test more accurate than that or is it about equal
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please help
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Life,
I could not possibly answer your question as I have no idea what you are trying to ask.
Ann
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i know you guys are all busy answering thousands of questions all day in the forums that been created, and i apologize for sounding impatient when it comes to my questions. Ann, Andy,Rapid rod and others whom i forgot i appreciate you all very much the internet will have you loose your mind over hiv. i have been scared everyday posting questions regarding my status. But I have this question to ask if you will do so i will truly appreciate it. Truthfully july 20, 06 was the date of my unprotected episode that happened only once and for ten minutes which you already know. I got tested for hiv sept.20,06 which is 63 days exactly after it happened (negative)(9 weeks). i was feelin fine before all that now its Oct. 6,06 i have hemmrhoids minor case its just itchy and bleeds a little after bowel movement (not watery). I have a swollen lymph node on the back of my neck that i can feel when i rub my finger across it. I never had one in my life until now. Underneath my arms do ache from time to time and i have lower back pains, which i had for a while, i have sorta something like a cough but only when i clear my throat, my throat doees not hurt and i do not have fever, no night sweats unless it hot but thats it. Moderators here say you can not diagnose your problemsbased on symptoms i do believe that. I try to say this all in my mind the pain underneath my arms pain in neck from time to time but the lymph node cant come from anxiety.....the other symptoms maybe. but no serious cough head aches nausea, diareha lymph nodes all over my body (just that one on my neck). Im scared i dont know what the lymph node is from because im not sick i dont feel sick i dont know what it could be from so i assume it is hiv, i assume my 9th week test was just re assuriing but i will test positive at the 12 week mark. which is next week. and also be the first one here to test positve at the six week mark, i would love to prove my-self wrong but its hard going out here playing football and knowing that next week i might have to stop forever. Feed back on the question i posted earlier about the blood test for hiv searching only for a virus instead of antibodies how accurate are those At 9 weeks
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Yes your problems can come from anxiety and stress. You can't diagnosis yourself. There is no lymph node pain in ARS. Keep your fingers off your lymph nodes or you will cause them to swell and become sore. Hemorrhoids are not a symptom of ARS. You chances of getting hit by a car is greater than your test becoming positive after nine weeks negative result.
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my neck is stiff and my under arms hurt mouth is dry lymph node is swollen on my neck but i do have a suspicious bump around it they may be causing it to swell .....the back of my knees have mild pain but not swollen so far ....im so scared i seroconverting 11 and half weeks.....its like every week its something new...what should i do im scared ?
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After 50 posts? You don't seroconvert at 11 weeks.
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does ars show up eleven weeks and if it does does it come all in one day are day by day
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To all moderators im sorry fopr giving you all such a hard time. My fears of hiv are horrible. I keep bringing up my nine week negative because i just wish that just one of yall will tell me its conclusive. because once i hear that i will lose my fear learn from this expierience and practice safe sex all the time. Today is the 82 day mark which is 2 days shy of the 12 week mark the question i want to know is if i test today Will my results be conclusive ? And just for some reassurance Be truthful to me. How do you think it will turn out ? Remember I do have a swollen lymph node my neck does fill still and it hurts when i stretch or turn it certain ways and my underarms still have pain every now and then.
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Life,
We're not going to tell you your nine week negative is conclusive because it isn't. Wait until you're into your twelfth week because then it WILL be conclusive.
I'm still fully expecting you to continue to test negative, as I've already told you.
Ann
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thank you ann today is my twelveth week just two days shy (82 days) if i take it today will that be conclusive or you rather me wait until i past the twelve week mark to test ?
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Life,
I'd rather see you wait until it's absolutely conclusive. Why? Not because I'm expecting anything other than another negative, but because judging by your anxiety levels so far, I can't see a test today satisfying you. You'll be back in a few days worrying about those couple days you didn't wait. Just wait a few more days when we can tell you it's conclusive.
Ann
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I thank you ANN you are probably right about me testing today and coming back worrying if i should waited a couple of more days. point being Ann i feel real good about my nine week negative but why all the symptoms of ars? (now) Lymph node enlargemeant on my neck, Under arm pain , stiff neck, and i just noticed a small rash on my face its not red its like little bumps. But Still no fever. I looked on Dr. HHH forums and he said that That the ars fever is almost universal and almost every one who is positve will get it but i will wait a couple of more days like you said and get tested i just dont want to be the first person here to serconvert past nine weeks
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moderators i just woke up and noticed my whole left side of my face is broken out in hives of some sort .....does this ars stuff happen all in a day or week by week im so freakin scared now......please answer
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I'm beginning to believe you are not paying any attention to the replies you have received. You are not having symptoms of ARS. Go to your doctor or dermatologist to see what the rash is.
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I went to the doctor today to check on my rash that is all over the left side of my face only. He told me since I took my hiv test a week nine that it was unlikely it was due to ARS becasue it was so late. Then he told me that most people would have been seroconverted by six weeks and he told me i would be fine on my twelfth week.
questions for you.
1. does the ars rash just stay on side of the face or does it spread all over (just asking)
2. I know you all say 13 weeks but would you say that Twelve weeks i can definately put my mind at ease? Im asking because I heard that twelve weeks is conclusive. And I want to put this all behind me.
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Twelve weeks is conclusive most everywhere except the U.S....
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In many countries 12 weeks is considered a reliable testing point. We go with 13 only because of the CDC, but if you test negative at 12 weeks we would certainly consider that to be a reliable result.
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thank you rapid rod and andy very much i hope this test result is negative because i have not put my self a risk since my incident happened twelve weeks ago
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hey another question. The rash associated with ARS. I have a rash on the left side of my whole face and including the left side of neck, not the right side it has no color just flesh color and texture and small bumbs and it doesnt itch i found out that the ars rash can appear on the face and neck, but the side that the rash is on is the side the lymph node is on and i kept feelin on that side of my face all the time so im worried that i could have ars twelve weeks down the line
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You do not have ARS twelve weeks down the line. How about stopping with the Googling on ARS and HIV and wait for your NEGATIVE conclusive test.
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Moderators i took my nine week test and i was negative and at (84) days i just got my results back still negative. my girl friend took her test two weeks ago and got her results today and she was negative and we had unprotected sex the day after the incident with ejaculation . i still have my rash and my lymp node but still no fever i had my lymphnode since week nine if it was due to hiv would it have been picked up at this test ? and do i hae to test again i sure hope not i feel awhole lot better
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please answer i just want to calm my nerves
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please answer my question i want to calm down
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Life,
It's not our job to hold your hands and constantly calm every little fear you have. You've been hanging around this forum for long enough to have learned that a nine week negative result is highly unlikely to change.
If you need to have your hand held during the remainder of your window period, I suggest you get some face-to-face counseling. There is only so much we can do for you here.
I fully expect you to continue to test negative.
Ann
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Ann,
I am sorry to interrupt this thread but ILUV said he already tested negative at 84 days in his previous post. Doesn't it make it a done deal. Again, I am sorry to interrupt. Please do not take my response in a wrong way.
Thanks
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Life,
o-g is correct - it was getting to the point that when I read your posts, my eyes just glaze over.
84 days is twelve weeks. You are conclusively hiv negative. You're done here.
Ann