Need for HIV-2 test?

[ocdguy1968]

This is an excellent forum - a big thanks and Happy New Year to the forum moderators!

As for my question, I have the same story as nearly all the WW's on this forum in terms of symtomps, anxiety, etc. I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a friend/co-worker 11.5 weeks ago and while I've tested negative using the rapid 3rd generation Uni-Gold Recombigen HIV Antibody test at weeks 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, I have only tested for HIV-1 (i've also tested for all other STD's hence my handle/name for this forum).

Is there a need to test for HIV-2 here in the US?   My friend isn't a drug user, not from West Africa, and honestly believes I'm an idiot for even going down the HIV test path.

The HIV counselor I saw at the local County Health Department and the nursing assistant at Planned Parenthood said not to worry about HIV-2 as they don't even test for it. The County Health Department counselor sees HIV negative/positive patients all day long and for the past 18 years.  My Primary Care Physician believes my obsession with HIV and HIV testing is a mental issue (probably correct).

I'm going for my official "12 week" test this Friday although both the HIV counselor and Planned Parenthood nursing assistance believe my testing is sufficient (as of week 8, 9...).

Thoughts?

[Ann]

ocd,

You don't need to test for hiv2. It will normally be picked up by the standard tests if a person does in fact have hiv2. Not only is hiv2 very rare outside of certain geographical areas, but it is even more difficult to transmit than hiv1.

After a one time event, with your weekly testing history, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that your conclusive test will also be negative. A six week negative result rarely changes.

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 the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.  You need to start using them consistently and correctly.

Ann

[ocdguy1968]

Ann,

Thank you for the quick and informative response - very helpful on the first day of 2007 and after a horrible 11.5 weeks.  Condoms are once again in the medicine cabinet!

I am so thankful that a forum like this exists and that you and other moderators take time out of your life to help others.  Is there a way/method to donate to this site/org to make sure it continues?

Thanks,
OCD

[Ann]

ocd,

While your generosity is appreciated, this site no longer accepts donations. However, your local hiv/aids organisation would be more than happy to accept donations and many will also accept and train people who want to donate their time and talents. You would be doing all of us a good turn by donating locally.

Cheers,
Ann
 

[ocdguy1968]

Ann and others  -

I tested at 84 days (12 weeks) with another rapid HIV-1 test (trinity biotech uni-golden) and negative so I'm relieved on the hiv-1 front to some degree.  The hiv-2 (rare chance I'm the 100th HIV-2 guy in the US...) and hiv-1 subtype (did my test miss something) thing is still causing stress.  Any recommendations on how to get past these mental roller coasters?  I'm pondering getting an HIV-2 test to close-out this thread. 

My primary care physician and the local HIV counselor believe I'm losing it so meeting with the shrink I am but this doesn't seem to help because I don't feel 100% (tingling in the hands/feet, neck still feels swollen even though my physician said yesterday that there are no clinical signs of swollen glands).

My final 'worried well' thread

Thanks

[ocdguy1968]

For the record and to reassure the worried-well on how 'right on' the moderators are on this forum, I had my 12 week HIV-2 ELISA (not rapid) and it was negative so with this test along with my negative HIV-1 tests from week 6 > 12, all the professionals (physician, HIV counselor, test lab) say forget HIV.  I still don't feel 100% (neck pain, insomnia, swollen sinuses, slight case of iritis) but can keep HIV out of the discussion.

Thank you all - your rock!