POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: VSKMan on November 29, 2013, 02:41:10 pm
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I met someone online went out with him, and went back to his place and performed oral sex on him. This was only my third sexual encounter. I had previously tested negative. This was 5 weeks ago, and now I have the symptoms of ARS, including a rash and nausea. The rash came first and was localized to my forehead and lasted for 2 days, and now I am hit with nausea and a headache. I plan to get tested in 2 weeks, but I know it is all but certain. I am just so depressed. I thought the chances of infection from this was so small, but I guess I was unlucky. :(
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You never had an exposure from oral sex.
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I met someone online went out with him, and went back to his place and performed oral sex on him. This was only my third sexual encounter. I had previously tested negative. This was 5 weeks ago, and now I have the symptoms of ARS, including a rash and nausea. The rash came first and was localized to my forehead and lasted for 2 days, and now I am hit with nausea and a headache. I plan to get tested in 2 weeks, but I know it is all but certain. I am just so depressed. I thought the chances of infection from this was so small, but I guess I was unlucky. :(
First off, ARS symptoms do not come and go in waves. They come all at once, and then vanish. What you are experiencing is NOT unique to ARS. THAT is one of the reasons we do not go by symptoms when assessing risk for HIV. Also, nausea and headache are not ARS symptoms. They certainly are symptoms of stress.
And as for the risk, you really didn't have one.
Saliva contains over a dozen identified elements that inhibit HIV and render it incapable of infecting. Also, the specific cels that HIV needs to "latch onto" in order to transmit it's RNA are not found in any abundance in the mouth.
There have been no fewer than three serodiscordant couple studies regarding oral sex. One lasted ten years, one five, and the other slightly less than three. The wouples engaged in protected anal and vaginal sex, but used NO barrier protection for any form of oral sex. There was a wide representation of viral loads and medical treatment in these studies.
The result? Zero infections traced to oral sex.
Our philosophy here at AIDSMEDS is that unless your oral cavity is so compromised that you can no longer produce saliva AND have gaping wounds in your mouth (google "meth mouth" for an example) AND your partner is undiagnosed/newly infected with a soaring viral load, then there's really no way you are going to manage to get infected through this, the most common of sexual acts.
Also, you will note that in these forums we have yet to encounter a FEMALE who claims to have been infected through oral sex. Sorta telling, that.
Here's what you need to know in order to 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 sexually transmitted infections together.
To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST FOR HIV OVER THIS SPECIFIC INCIDENT, 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
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I realized today the lymph node on the right side my of neck near my shoulder is enlarged, more signs of ARS it seems like it. Each day I become convinced I was infected. Will a 6 week Ora Quick home test give me a reasonable estimate if I am infected.
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I realized today the lymph node on the right side my of neck near my shoulder is enlarged, more signs of ARS it seems like it. Each day I become convinced I was infected. Will a 6 week Ora Quick home test give me a reasonable estimate if I am infected.
You can test today for a conclusive result if this is your only concern in the last 3 months . You did not have a risk and you will test negative no matter when you test if this is your only concern .
The symptoms you are worrying over fit many more dreadful things other than HIV so if you are sick go to the doctor and find out why , its not HIV .
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I did the Oraquick home test, I know it is a 3 days before 6 weeks, but I decided 3 days won't be a big difference. The results seem to be negative, this has lessen my thinking from 90% sure to around 50% sure I was infected. I am thinking false negative. I still have a large mass in my neck, I am wondering if it is negative because I am still seroconverting. I suspect the mass is an enlarged lymph-node from the infection. I plan to test again in 6 more weeks. I am still very scared, this is a nightmare.
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I did the Oraquick home test, I know it is a 3 days before 6 weeks, but I decided 3 days won't be a big difference. The results seem to be negative, this has lessen my thinking from 90% sure to around 50% sure I was infected. I am thinking false negative. I still have a large mass in my neck, I am wondering if it is negative because I am still seroconverting. I suspect the mass is an enlarged lymph-node from the infection. I plan to test again in 6 more weeks. I am still very scared, this is a nightmare.
You are not seroconverting, you've never had an exposure.
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Some minor questions not for this time but for future times:
1. I am having trouble finding a free clinic, all in the area use a sliding scale for payment and if I can't show I am low income I have to pay $50 to $100 for an HIV test. This makes it more expensive than going to my doctor. I can't go to my doctor because of the embarrassment. Is this typical?
2. I decided to retest to day, since I was worried 6 weeks wasn't actually up before. Is it abnormal for someone to experience ARS but still test negative? Is their a relationship between ARS and Seroconversion?
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1 . I have never been embarrassed t ask my doctor for a sexual health care check up but I know many people are not comfortable admitting they are sexually active so its typical for some .
2 . You did not have a risk and like I told you before you can test right now for a conclusive result if this is your only concern in the last 3 months . We do not discuss symptoms or ARS so go test and put this behind you .
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One quick thing, the intensity of the C line isn't relevant correct? As long as their is a visible line at C and nothing at T then it is a negative result? The C line was darker on the test I took Wednesday than the one today, but it was still clearly visible.
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The test is accurate and you should trust it . You have been told the same advice on other websites . If you need to test again for peace of mind for this no risk incident go test and end this cycle of worry over nothing .
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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. 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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I am sorry, I am not trying to question your knowledge on advice. I do believe you all know what you are talking about. I am just worried about being that 1 and million person. No mater how irrational my fear may seem, I still have it.
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VSK, fears aren't facts. You're torturing yourself needlessly. You're HIV negative.
If you can't let go of this unwarranted fear then get yourself some professional help with it. We can't help you with that in this setting. HIV is not your problem. Period.
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I was just reading that approximately 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 people have a condition called hypogammaglobulinemia, and their B-Cells are unable able to produce any meaningful number of antibodies. Traditional HIV test do not work on these people, how do we know I don't have this.
If I had this condition it could make me much more susceptible to infection from HIV and it would cause my test to show negative. I have never been tested for it, so their is no way to know I don't have it.
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I was just reading that approximately 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 people have a condition called hypogammaglobulinemia, and their B-Cells are unable able to produce any meaningful number of antibodies. Traditional HIV test do not work on these people, how do we know I don't have this.
If I had this condition it could make me much more susceptible to infection from HIV and it would cause my test to show negative. I have never been tested for it, so their is no way to know I don't have it.
You never had an exposure and it wouldn't make you more susceptible.
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VSK,
You don't have hypogammaglobulinemia. If you did, you would suffer from frequent and reoccurring (and serious) lung and sinus infections and the cause would have been investigated.
Give it up. You don't have hiv.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!!!
Ann
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Sorry, I am back.
I met a guy on one of those meet up apps. I asked him if he had HIV, and he claimed he didn't. I thought he looked disease free, so I agreed to perform unprotected oral sex on him. Two weeks later I am hit with ALL of the classic ARS symptoms, painful swollen lymph nodes, high fever, non itchy rash, oral ulcers, horribly swollen bleeding gums.
I am worried now that he wasn't disease free at all, and was in fact diseased. Now I fear I may be diseased too because of this situation. I know you guys think oral sex is low risk, but this person could be terrible diseased with AIDS having a high viral load, and my oral health isn't the greatest, my gums bleed slightly when I brush.
I did an Oraquick test at 4 weeks and 5 weeks, but negative. But I could be a slow seroconverter.
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VKS,
I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.
If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
I don't know what you expect from us. You know what we're going to say. If you don't believe us, go test at the appropriate time and collect your negative result.
Gums that bleed a bit during/after brushing do not constitute what we mean by terrible oral health. Google for photos of "meth-mouth" to see what we mean by that.
There is no such thing as "classic ARS symptoms". The symptoms of viral infections are all very similar. If you feel unwell or are worried about your mouth, go see your doctor or dentist.
Ann
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I have spent countless hours comparing my symptoms to so many stories from people who have tested positive for HIV, and my seroconversion matches their so closely. I really don't see how it could be anything else but HIV. I want to believe I am negative, but deep down I know I was infected.
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Go see a doctor and find out why you are sick ... you didn't have a risk for HIV so it can't be that .
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I have been doing weekly antibody test, and when it finally turns positive I will see the doctor. It is only a mater of time.
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I have been doing weekly antibody test, and when it finally turns positive I will see the doctor. It is only a mater of time.
■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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. 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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I have been doing weekly antibody test, and when it finally turns positive I will see the doctor. It is only a mater of time.
Your money would be better spent getting some help with your irrational fears of HIV.
Joe
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I have a quick question about testing. I was under the impression that free anonymous HIV testing was suppose to be available to everyone in the U.S. I have learned where I live in California, this is not available.
We have free testing, but it is not anonymous and it is highly restricted (it is limited to every 3 months).
Is this really legal?
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I have a quick question about testing. I was under the impression that free anonymous HIV testing was suppose to be available to everyone in the U.S. I have learned where I live in California, this is not available.
We have free testing, but it is not anonymous and it is highly restricted (it is limited to every 3 months).
Is this really legal?
Seriously? We evaluate risk here, not determine local laws. Check with your state/city to determine testing requirements. Maybe testing is restricted, so folks like you are not testing every week over a no-risk incident. That would be a huge waste of resources better spent elsewhere.
Joe
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The oraquick home test is accurate and anonymous .
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I just did a 7 week test and again it is negative. I am thinking it is now 50/50 that I don't have HIV. Will test every other week or so.
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I just did a 7 week test and again it is negative. I am thinking it is now 50/50 that I don't have HIV. Will test every other week or so.
■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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. 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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■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). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
We can't help you with your HIV phobia ... you have been told it was not a risk and have tested negative for HIV . Im giving you the time out you were warned about so you can get the help you need .