POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: RR07 on January 29, 2007, 02:49:10 pm

Title: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on January 29, 2007, 02:49:10 pm
Its been 8 weeks since my possible exposure.
I am male and my exposure was unprotected vaginal with asex worker in China.
I have posted on other web sites but would like some more clarification from others.

I have tested at 18 days Elisa neg and 42 days HIV Duo neg.
I have read that 6 weeks is conclusive from some docs which puts me at ease for a bit after my 6 weeks test.

But on week 7 I developed a slight rise in temp 98-99 with a cough for about a week, just as my cough was clearing up, for a couple of mornings, I had bright green phlegm. Also on my back and chest I have developed some spots which are itchy throughout the day and especially after a hot shower. I do suffer from ezcema but I have never really visually paid much attention to my skin until now

1)  I do understand ARS normally come at 2-4 weeks, could ARS start as late as week 7.
2)  Does ARS rash itch.

I am waitting for week 12 to have my final test but would like some reassurances in the meantime.

Thanks.... 
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: thunter34 on January 29, 2007, 03:20:35 pm
Everybody wants to get all hung up on symptoms this and symptoms that.  I sometimes wish we could delete all this chatter about symptoms altogether.  They vary from person to person- with some experiencing none of them at all and others rather severely.  Furthermore, different people experience different symptoms (in the ones that do show them).  Therefore, the discussion is symptoms is useless...so forget about it.  You are likely negative from this incident you describe- especially in light of your most recent negative result.  The only thing you can really do is hold out for the appropriate conclusive test at 12-13 weeks post exposure.

(And the average body temp is 98.6   Your rise in temp is so slight as to barely warrant mention.  The skin thing is most likely just your eczema.  You're just paying more attention to it since you are letting yourself get all worked up.  The phlegm thing?  Everybody gets something like that from time to time.  Relax.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on January 29, 2007, 03:38:32 pm
I know symptoms vary from people to people and its probably the most most annoying question.
To tell the truth, up until now I have never examined my body as much, its just that after my event, anything unsual that happens to my body, I panic.
With the cough and flu thing, I knows its winter and its the time of year. I try to be logival but my mind just gets the better of me.

My anxieties just go up and down like a yoyo. For days I've left my anxieties behind but then all of a sudden it  goes into overdrive.

4 more weeks.....



I thank you for your quick response.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: Andy Velez on January 29, 2007, 03:43:47 pm
Neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms is ever the way to know reliably about your HIV status in relation to a risky incident.

All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus. So your negative at 6 weeks or more than reassuring. Given it was single incident I expect you will continue to test negative. Follow the CDC recommendation, re-test at 13 weeks and collect what I expect will be another negative result.

If your symptoms persist discuss them with your doctor. And most importantly, learn from this incident. You've apparently scooted by safely. In the future whenever you have intercourse make sure you're wearing a latex condom. Everytime. No exceptions.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on January 29, 2007, 03:52:57 pm
Thanks for the reassurances.

Believe me, this will never happen again, I've learnt my lesson. This is the biggest mistake I've ever done.
I am never going to stray away from home again.
5 min of pleasure, definately wasn't worth it.


Thanks again..
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on February 05, 2007, 06:59:36 pm
Sorry to post again.
After reading HIV? poz about being neg posting, I'm starting to get worried again.
I realise symptons can be anything but from what he describes, I look at my body arms and back and I too have small reddish spots which are itchy, which becomes dry like exzcema when scratched and eventually leaves brownish mark like surnburnt. I experinced these spots after 7 weeks of possible exposure and they continually pop up on my arms and back one at a time. I'm not not sure if they are ARS rashes as ars rashes are not suppose to be itchy as far as I've been told.

I'm only 3 weeks from my 12 weeks definitive test and the anxiety has built up and up over the weeks.
I have had protected sex with my wife since my possible exposure and this week, week 9 she has developed a mouth ulcer of which I've never seen her have before. She does not know about my possible exposure and I am really worried I may have transmitted something to her.

I have tested at 18 days and 6 weeks, can I just be suffering from stress and my wifes ulcer be a coincident.
I have not had a fever and I am not a IV or drug user.
Can someone please supply me with more assurances before my final test as I am extremly worried.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RapidRod on February 05, 2007, 07:07:13 pm
You had protected sex how in the world do you think you could give her something?
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on February 05, 2007, 07:09:10 pm
pure and simpy, being worried about the whole thing.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RapidRod on February 05, 2007, 07:27:43 pm
No one can get HIV from worrying about it. There has to be a risk to transmit HIV.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: Andy Velez on February 06, 2007, 07:28:37 am
A mouth ulcer is NOT an HIV specific symptom.

You have already tested negative for HIV at 6 weeks. Given that you had a single possible exposure, (you don't even know the sex worker was HIV+ of course), and a negative at 6 weeks points the way to almost certainly testing negative again at 13 weeks.

So this is really about guilt and stuff going on in your head. Absolutely nothing you have describe is suggestive of HIV infection. But of course right now you are anxiously watching and looking for any "signs" that your worst fears have come true. There is of course no basis in HIV science for this, but your head doesn't care about that.

You're a dog who strayed like the rest of us. You can't undo that. Take a breath and let it go. That's the best thing you can do for all concerned. I expect you to continue to test negative.

Cheers, 
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: ACinKC on February 06, 2007, 10:10:39 am
Sorry to post again.
After reading HIV? poz about being neg posting, I'm starting to get worried again.
I realise symptons can be anything but from what he describes, I look at my body arms and back and I too have small reddish spots which are itchy, which becomes dry like exzcema when scratched and eventually leaves brownish mark like surnburnt. I experinced these spots after 7 weeks of possible exposure and they continually pop up on my arms and back one at a time. I'm not not sure if they are ARS rashes as ars rashes are not suppose to be itchy as far as I've been told.

After reading his post...do you recall what we told him?  SO why would his situation concern you?  He didnt have it either!
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on February 28, 2007, 04:54:35 pm
I've just had my 12 week test at my local GUM clinic and am waitting for my results, which should be out this friday.
I've tested at 18 days, 6 weeks and 10 weeks 5 day.
My concern is that on week 10  I began to come down with the flu and so I had a test at 10 weeks and 5 days and the day after I had bed riden flu with a high temp, muscle pains with a wet cough for the next few days.
ARS does not come on this late, as this is what I keep telling myself, but its the one sympton which scares me the most.

Also if my results come back neg, I can take that is as conclusive, as symptons mean nothing over testing even if I had flu symptons 1 week prior to my final test.
Sorry for the unceraintainty, its just that I do not what to put my wifes life at risk from my mistake.
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: Ann on March 01, 2007, 06:09:00 am
RR,

Sometimes having flu symptoms just means you have the flu. There's been plenty going around this winter (I'm also in the UK). With all those negative test results so far, you can be confident of another one for your conclusive.

Ann
Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: RR07 on March 02, 2007, 02:58:07 pm
Thanks Ann and Andy for your advise.

I've got my results back today and it was -.

I can now have a decent night sleep without worry.

Title: Re: 8 weeks since expsure
Post by: Andy Velez on March 02, 2007, 03:47:18 pm
Congrats on that happy test result.

Celebrate by avoiding situations which will make you worry and feel like s**t about yourself.

Time to get on with enjoying your life!

Cheers,