POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: harry on May 18, 2007, 02:43:49 pm
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I've been tested at 4, 6 and 8month post exposure and all my tests came back negative (HIV 1 and 2). My question is regarding HIV subtypes and Elisa testing. Is it possible for this antibody test to pick up on the various strains that are out there.
The reason I ask this question is because, if one tests for HIV, aren't we being screened just for the antibodies to the virus? In other words wouldn't we need to have the virus in order to further our testing into subtypes in order to predict longevity? If we don't have the or antibodies to the virus, then would it be in the right state of my mind to continue testing with regards to HIV. My concern is based on me having sexual relations with an immigrant who might have a certain strain that might not be picked up by Elisa.
Any input with regards to HIV and subtypes would be greatly appreciated.
I'm under extreme stess with regards to this virus
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You are conclusively HIV negative. Was the sex unprotected?
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You are mixing together a number of bits of info into something that is allowing you to worry unnecessarily.
Whatever your risk may have been, you have absolutely reliably tested negative. Your tests would have picked up if you had developed antibodies, no matter what strain was involved. Really.
Get on with your life. Happily HIV is not an issue for you.
And if you had unprotected intercourse, learn from the experience and always, ALWAYS make sure you're wearing a condom in the future. No exceptions.
Cheers,
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My sex was always protected, except for one time when I penetrated into her without a condom for a mere 3 seconds. I did not ejaculate or even thrust to go as far as ejaculating into her. On another incident, I was extremely vigorous with her while having a condom on; however, the condom came half way down my penis during the thrust. It was after the sex I had realized it was half way down; there was no exposure of my shaft in her at that time.
I feel very stupid for the first incident; however, I would like to know my degree of risk I put myself during this incident.
I thankyou all for comments regarding this matter, I've been extremely paranoid ever since I placed myself in this type of a situation.
Any comments would be appreciated
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Harry,
Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and more so from a woman to a man, so even if your unprotected incident lasted for longer, the odds were in your favour of testing negative. However, don't push your luck in future. If you are going to penetrate the anus or vagina of another person, you need to be wearing a condom.
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. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through all three 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.
You are conclusively hiv negative as the ELISA test will pick up all strains of hiv. You do not need further testing over these two incidents. Stay that way by always using condoms.
Ann
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Thanks everybody for the insight in relation to this virus. I'm still under stress, but I can assure you that my anxiety level has been dropped to a significant degree. I've also been tested for other STDs during my anxiety and all are negative. I however, go through phases of anxiety in which I go symptom hunting.
You folks are very brave in the way you deal with this virus.
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Fortunately Harry, feelings aren't facts. Your risk was minimal in the situations you have described. Your negative test results are facts. They prove that you're HIV negative. Period. End of story.
I'm glad you found the exchanges here to be helpful. If those creeping fears come up again, just take a breath and let them go. They're feelings and not facts.
Cheers,
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Hello,
I've been on POZ only once and this is my second time. My question is regarding HIV related rash. I've been tested at 4, 6 and 8 months from my last possible exposure and I came out negative. I've lately noticed that I've been getting some form of a red patches around my pelvis area and on my chest. It comes, but then it goes away soon as it comes. Does this sound HIV related; I keep doubting my tests that I have recieved. Should I go and get another test? I know you folks deal with a lot of questions and I apologize if this is another lousy question, but this thing has been driving me crazy. If anyone can respond to my question, I would gladly put my self at ease.
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Harry-
I reviewed your previous thread just to see what the risk might have been...oh well.
All your tests are definitive. Whatever is causing your rash, it's not HIV.
Brent
(Who knows that 13 weeks is the gold standard)
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Harry,
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 all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.
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.
You are conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv. Whatever is causing your rash has nothing to do with hiv. Next time you get a rash, show it to your doctor. We cannot possibly diagnose you over the internet.
Ann
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Hi Ann, Andy or Matty,
Do HIV Elisa tests, test for HIV subtype with group O. When I recieved my test results, it merely stated HIV 1 and 2 negative. There was no mention of group O of HIV 1 subtype.
Should I be concerned with getting a subtype O test. I've tested at 4, 6 and 8 months post exposure and all were negative.
Thanks
Harry
P.S I apologize for not posting on the original thread earlier.
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Harry,
Thank you for returning to your original thread.
Let me reiterate, YOU ARE HIV NEGATIVE. You don't need to concern yourself with subtypes or any other such palaver your frantic googling may have turned up. Your ELISA tests are sufficient to detect HIV 1 & 2 and ALL possible subtypes.
You DO NOT have HIV.
MtD
(Who trusts he will not have to repeat himself)
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Hi Matty,
Just like you predicted, I did start my frantic search for subtypes and all other HIV related matters. I keep thinking "what if" Elisa missed out on subtype O by chance. Would I know if I have it or will I be need to get tested again for it.
Matty, what was it that initially got you to test for HIV? Was it symptoms or was it fear? I know this may be personal, but you can ignore it if you don't want to respond. I can understand.
Anyways thanks Matty for your response :)
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Matty, what was it that initially got you to test for HIV? Was it symptoms or was it fear? I know this may be personal, but you can ignore it if you don't want to respond. I can understand.
It's fine Harry.
Neither symptoms nor fear led to me seeking the test which revealed my HIV status. My GP, knowing I'm a sexually active homosexual, took a sexual history one day as part of a routine consultation. I reported having had a lot of unprotected anal sex (both ways) and she ordered an antibody test which returned a positive result.
At no time did I have any "symptoms" of ARS. It was a simple case of identifying risk behaviour and performing the right test at the right time.
MtD