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Author Topic: Advice. Robed and scared.  (Read 15756 times)

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Offline ashler

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Advice. Robed and scared.
« on: July 14, 2008, 06:26:36 pm »
First of all, thanks for the awesome job you do.

I'm a guy from southamerica who was robed in the beginning of june. The thief (a taxi driver) invited me a beer which I accepted (stupid me - I was a bit drunk when I've got in the car). It happens that this beer had some Rohyphol on it, and I falled slept. This is a very common thing to robe people, and usually thiefs do this just to robe (sometimes when the victim is a girl, this includes also rape), but I have been scared since then.

The doctor checked me after this incident and no signs of rape or violence were found, however, he recommend me some STD tests, including HIV. When he told me about HIV, I was really scared.

I am in a monogamus relationship, never cheat on my girl, and I use to be blood donor three times per year.

I did a 4th generation Elisa test at 31 days after the incident, which (thanks God) came back negative. So far, I didnt show any ARS symptons, just some pain in my veins (at the day 35) but I don't know if this is from anxiety. I am going back for a test next week at 49 days, then the definitive one at 90 days.

Just would like some advice cause I am really very scared. Thanks.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2008, 07:05:10 pm »
Ash, from what you are reporting I would say this is really about feelings and fears rather than facts. If you had been raped there would unquestionably have been clear evidence that occured.

Testing agian at 49 days is a waste of money. For peace of mind, test at 13 weeks and collect what I expect is going to be a negative result.

In the future avoid excessive drinking. It puts you at risk for all sorts of dangers.

Good luck with your test which I expect will give you a happy result.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2008, 11:39:13 am »
Thanks for your support, Andy.

I will make the test at the 90 day mark for sure, but since after the six weels all but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will have done so, I will take the 49 days (one week more just to be sure) test as well. Hopefully, It does not cost too much.

I am very depressed and anxious. I have problems to work and study, and that's why I just want a 49 days test to be more relaxed. I just want to be happy again.

I will be back later with the news. Again, thanks for your support.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2008, 01:36:01 pm »
A negative at 49 days is very significant. All but the very smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will have done so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure.

Good luck. I expect you to test negative.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2008, 02:39:31 pm by Andy Velez »
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2008, 05:27:30 pm »
Hey Andy,

Just got another negative result at 46 days (I couldn't wait 3 days more). Also a 4th generation Elisa . I feel now much more relaxed, however I have a few questions

1) According to your experience: Seroconverting after 46 days would be normal? rare? very rare? extremely rare? I am a healthy person (just suffer from rhinitis but very little) and don't take any meds.

2) Seroconverting depends most of the person's inmune system or the mode of tranmission?

3) Can I relax until the final test at 90 days?

Thanks a lot again.


Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2008, 01:22:19 pm »
A couple of weeks ago I did my final test. After 14 weeks of possible exposure (97 days to be precise) I tested negative for HIV!

The test was performed in France in one of this "CDAG" centers, which they have across the whole country. The test was free and anonymous and they performed on my blood two tests:

-ELISA Ag-Ac Combo Architect ABBOTT -- NEGATIVE (ratio 0.1)
-ELISA Ag-Ac Genscreen BIORAD -- NEGATIVE (ratio 0.2)

And that was the end of this nightmare hopefully :)

Thanks for your support guys!

ps.  just curious about what the ratio means?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2008, 02:41:07 pm »
Well, that's very good news. Now you can get on with your life -- and maybe you've learned something about avoiding excessive drinking that makes you vulnerable to dangerous situations.

Good luck to you.
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2008, 05:53:43 pm »
Yes indeed, specially about NEVER accepting a drink from a stranger (!)

ps. Andy, what does the ratio means?

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2012, 03:20:18 pm »
I thought I would never write back in this forum, but here I go.

First of all, thank you to Andy, Ann and all the great people who give us support during difficult times.

My story in short
Heterosexual male, promiscuous during 2010. Condoms were used in EVERY ocassion and never broke or sliped off.

The long story
In 2010 I was exchange student in Europe and I had intercourse with several girls (7 in total) of unknown status (except one, who is a friend of mine and tested Negative recently). It was only vaginal intercourse in all cases and condom was always used. Three of the girls did oral sex to me. Prior to these encounters I had a couple of tests which came back negative (they are reliable as they were made after the window period, etc.)

At the end of 2010 I went back with my old partner, to a monogamus relationship. We use condoms and my partner is a usual donor blood so she is HIV-

However, in the last two months I cheated on her :( and had intercourse with two girls. With the first girl (in January) we had sex twice (vaginal), and both times with condom. No oral sex was performed and the condom did not fail.

With the second girl (beginning of February), we had anal (!) and vaginal sex. She performed oral sex on me for about 2-4 minutes maximum. She didn't want to use condoms (she kind of felt ofended when I proposed it!) for the intercourse, however, I insisted that there is no way on earth that we are having sex without it. I wore a condom and we had anal sex for a few minutes, then we went to vaginal. All the act did not last more than 10 minutes I think. Condom did not break or sliped off.

And that's the story.

Two weeks after the last encouter (that means, last weekend), I woke up with pain on the neck, and on  Monday I had a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck. It's small and hard, and you can't see it at first (unless you go very close and start to look). No fever or night sweats, but this swollen lymph really scares me (I don't think I ever had something like this before in my life). Doctor thinks is because of my rinitis (which affects my throath, etc.). But I am really scared.

I know I did bad and I swear I will be the most faithful man on earth from now on. I followed the book and I used condoms everytime without exceptions. I just hope my results will be OK because I am having a complete blood test (and I will ask for HIV as well if my doctor does not) next Wednesday. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2012, 03:42:00 pm »
You don't have to keep us posted you never had an exposure.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2012, 07:05:38 pm »
As long as you used condoms everytime for both vaginal and anal intercourse then you were protected. There is no cause for concern about. Nor is there any need for HIV testing.

It's very common here to find straying spouses, partners, bfs, etc. worried unnecessarily. The real issue is guilt about having strayed. We can't help you with that issue. All I can say is you were not at risk so give up the HIV issue.

As for guilt, it's not a sign of high moral character to indulge in that mess. You did what you did, maybe you learned something about it. In any case, let it go and get on with your life is my suggestion.
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2012, 06:24:20 pm »
Just to let you know all that finally, I will have my test tomorrow morning. It will be long seven days until I get the results. I barely can sleep, I can't concentrate at work and I am even trembling while writing this. I have been crying thinking about the consequences of a bad result. I am too angry on myself for the situation I put me in.

If I didn't have this small swollen lymph node on my neck (which went away after 3-4 days by the way) about 2 weeks after exposure, I would be more relaxed. My only "hope" is this lymph node had connection with a UTI (urinary track infection) I had also 2-3 weeks after the last exposure (unprotected blowjob), and not HIV. Doctor gave me ciprofloxacin for the UTI and it's going away, hopefully.

I am in my early thirtees and in all my life the condom only failed one time with an ex girlfriend, many years ago (yes, one knows when it breaks down, it's like a ring on your penis). Since then, all intercourses were protected, and the condom never failed (neither they slip, etc.). I am just scared about the 3 incidents of unprotected oral sex (me as the passive). I know, the risk is almost zero, but I just wish I could turn the time and had no oral sex at all or a condom for oral sex in those ocassions (with condom the risk would be certanly zero).

I know, I am probably panicking over nothing and hopefully the results will tell Andy and Rapidrod were right. Hopefully.

Thanks for reading.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #12 on: March 13, 2012, 06:51:07 pm »
Quote
all cases and condom was always used

You never had an exposure and don't need testing.

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #13 on: March 13, 2012, 07:05:04 pm »
Thanks for your answer, Rapidrod.

Yes, condoms were always used. I would never, ever could have sex without condom with someone I don't know for certain her status. Even when I was drunk (like my last exposure, beginning of February), I made sure condoms were used. And they did not fail (as a matter of fact, I always go to the toilet to take off the condom, and wrap it in a toilet papper, as it's indicated).

About testing, I think someone who had many partners should always do it even if they used condoms. Is just "to be sure", and is good, I think. Thanks for reading!

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2012, 10:00:09 pm »
For the record, anyone who is sexually active ought to have at least two STD checkups a year. Condoms are crazy effective, but some STDs are possible even when condoms are used correctly.

That having been said, you can have ten thousand different partners, but if you use a condom correctly for penetrative sex, you wil not get HIV. It's not like the virus keeps score :)

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2012, 03:30:32 pm »
Thank you guys.

I was just tested today, results comming next Thursday. It will be a long, long week. I am very stressed.

The Dr. was very nice and she said that the risk was low, but that I'm not risk-free. She suggested me a 3 months test if this one is negative, just to confirm. The test I did today was 5 weeks after my last exposure. I really hope you all are right, because as I said before, I didn't have other risk than unprotected fellatio. For the rest, condoms were always used. Fingers crossed.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2012, 04:00:38 pm »
Thank you guys.

I was just tested today, results comming next Thursday. It will be a long, long week. I am very stressed.

The Dr. was very nice and she said that the risk was low, but that I'm not risk-free. She suggested me a 3 months test if this one is negative, just to confirm. The test I did today was 5 weeks after my last exposure. I really hope you all are right, because as I said before, I didn't have other risk than unprotected fellatio. For the rest, condoms were always used. Fingers crossed.
Your Doctor no matter how nice she is was incorrect. You had condom protected sex and didn't have a risk.

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #17 on: March 15, 2012, 04:49:19 am »
I really wish you're right, RapidRod.

Is just that having a small swollen lymph node on my neck (left side - confirmed by the doctor), right after 2 weeks after the encounter really scared me and still scares me me a lot (the lymph node went away after a few days). This came together with a torticollis. I don't remember ever having a swollen lymph node in my neck, and that's why I am so concerned. I hope it's connected to the UTI I mentioned before, and not HIV.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #18 on: March 15, 2012, 05:02:46 am »
I really wish you're right, RapidRod.

Is just that having a small swollen lymph node on my neck (left side - confirmed by the doctor), right after 2 weeks after the encounter really scared me and still scares me me a lot (the lymph node went away after a few days). This came together with a torticollis. I don't remember ever having a swollen lymph node in my neck, and that's why I am so concerned. I hope it's connected to the UTI I mentioned before, and not HIV.
You don't have an HIV concern.

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2012, 03:29:15 am »
Going to the hospital for my results. Fingers crossed.

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #20 on: March 22, 2012, 05:03:52 pm »
Hello guys,

I guess this is not any news for you. My test was Negative :)

This was done with a modern Vironostika® HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab

I am SO relaxed after seeing this. The last two weeks were probably the worst of my life. I must suposse that nump on the neck 2-3 weeks after the "exposure" was not a sign that I was seroconverting, otherwise the test (taken 5 weeks after the incident) would have been reactive, right?

Anyway, for those reading this: Think twice about cheating on your partner. Really, it's not worth all the stress and anxiety. A friend of mine suggested me to write down in a papper a list of promises I will do after this experience. I suggest everyone happening through the same to do something similar, it will help to avoid similar incidents or exposures in the feature.

My doctor still says I should come back 3 months after the incident just to be extra sure, thing that I am planning to do. Of course, with a negative at 5 weeks, I won't be stressed anymore.

Thank you again jkinatl2, Rapidrod, and (specially) Andy for the support.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #21 on: March 22, 2012, 05:23:19 pm »
That's no surprise but a negative result is always a happy thing.

Enjoy it and get on with your life.
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #22 on: April 11, 2012, 04:21:57 pm »
Hello Andy,

I just had a second test today (9 weeks from the incident). I have been thinking a lot this week, specially about the lump node (swollen gland) in the left side of my neck appearing exactly 2-3 weeks after exposure (too bad coincidence), and I decided to test to totally move on with my life. I have been reading a lot and I know a 9 week Negative would be virtually conclusive so I will be able to turn the page finally.

If the lump node was due to HIV (it appeared about 2-3 weeks after the incident) would my 4th generation test taken 2 weeks later (5th week)  noticed it?

Thanks for reading.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2012, 04:24:08 pm by ashler »

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #23 on: April 11, 2012, 09:05:42 pm »
OK, the bottom line is you never had a risk to start with. So anything that you are experiencing symptomatically has nothing to do with HIV. You should be discussing bumps and lumps and whatever with your doctor.

As you yourself have observed, your fears are basically grounded in your guilt about having strayed from your relationship. We can't help you with that. All we can is that you are not at risk for HIV.

And I will also say that if you continue to return with more angst about this situation you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site. HIV is not your problem. Period. Cut out the drama and get on with your life.

Consider yourself warned. 
Andy Velez

Offline Ann

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #24 on: April 12, 2012, 05:45:17 am »
ashler,

I totally agree with Rodney, Andy and JK - you have NOT had a risk for hiv infection. You do NOT need further testing, you are already conclusively hiv negative.

Condoms have been proven to prevent hiv infection. There have been three long-term studies of couples where one is positive and one is negative. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one.

However, I would like to comment on something you said in reply #8. (This has nothing to do with hiv.)

You said, "we had anal sex for a few minutes, then we went to vaginal". If you ever have anal sex with a woman again, please put a new condom on before you have vaginal intercourse. Going from anal to vaginal without changing the condom (or washing your penis if you're not using condoms) carries the strong possibility of giving the woman a vaginal bacterial infection.

It also carries the possibility that she'll end up with a bacterial urinary tract infection. Neither are any fun, so please be kind to the woman you're with and change the condom or wash your penis when you switch from anal to vaginal. Or start with vaginal and then go to anal - no condom change or washing is needed in that situation.

Just thought I'd mention that. :)

As far as hiv goes, you have NOT had a risk and you do NOT need further testing.

You are hiv negative. Keep using condoms and you'll stay that way.

Ann

Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #25 on: April 12, 2012, 01:21:16 pm »
However, I would like to comment on something you said in reply #8. (This has nothing to do with hiv.)

You said, "we had anal sex for a few minutes, then we went to vaginal". If you ever have anal sex with a woman again, please put a new condom on before you have vaginal intercourse. Going from anal to vaginal without changing the condom (or washing your penis if you're not using condoms) carries the strong possibility of giving the woman a vaginal bacterial infection.

It also carries the possibility that she'll end up with a bacterial urinary tract infection. Neither are any fun, so please be kind to the woman you're with and change the condom or wash your penis when you switch from anal to vaginal. Or start with vaginal and then go to anal - no condom change or washing is needed in that situation.

Thank you Ann and Andy and sorry to drive you mad.

This was the first "one night stand" ever in my life (and the last), and you're right, I should have changed condoms when going from anal to vaginal. I guess because of the heat of the moment I didn't think of it. But I am usually VERY careful, and in other situation I would have not done that. To be honest, I only had anal sex three times before in my life, and always with my girlfriends, not strangers (and always with condoms - I think when it comes to anal is better, even if you're HIV free).

As for the urinary tract infection (UTI), it's me who got that due oral sex I suposse (btw, apparently the girl is fine, as she went to gynecolist after and she said all was alright there).

I am not sure if the swollen node in the neck is related to that (the UTI), as when it started to dissapear (around week 3), the UTI appeared. I had to go to the toilet every 10 minutes to piss and feel strong pein in my balls at times :(

I guess all this stress is also due the girl "not liking use condoms". After the oral sex, I went to look for the condoms on my desktop and she said "no, I don't like them". I told her are you crazy? and that there's no way I wouldn't use them. She has a boyfriend, but she told me the week before me she had sex with a "friend". And I am almost sure they didn't use condoms. Later on a Chat I talked to her about STDs and HIV, and she seemed not too care much :-\ I am in a country in Europe where the HIV rates are extremely low (one of the lowest in the EU), and is not the first time I heard of girls here not caring about condoms. They seem to be more worried about pregnancy :o

Anyway, the 9 week test is done so I will post the results FYI. Hopefully that single lump node was due anything else but HIV.

Thank you again.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #26 on: April 12, 2012, 06:08:39 pm »
You're just going to collect another negative result.

And as for being with anyone in the future who doesn't want to use condoms, just put it back into your pants. Careless "fun" is very fleeting. But remember, HIV is forever.

Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #27 on: April 19, 2012, 04:35:53 am »
You were right, Andy! :D

Just to summarize these last weeks of hell:

Day 01 - Unprotected insertive oral sex followed of protected anal and vaginal
Day 16 - Neck pain
Day 18 - Swollen lympn node in the right side of my neck (not too big). Confirmed by doctor
Day 23 - Urinary track infection including pain in the testicles. Had to go to toilet to piss every ten minutes.
Day 30 - After taking Ciprofloxacin the infection was almost gone
Day 34 - Vironostika® HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab -- Negative
Day 62 - Vironostika® HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab -- Negative


Lessons I learned:

1) Don't drink too much
2) Don't pick up girls on bars
3) Stay faithful
4) If a person says she/he "does not like condoms" RUN AWAY in that very moment! That person is a public health threat. You may not get HIV from receiving a blowjob, but you are likely to get other STDs or a painful urinary track infection!
5) If you can't be faithful, ALWAYS wear condoms, and wear them also for oral sex. As I said, HIV is not the only threat out there.

I will have a full STD panel in 2 or 3 weeks as I want to dispose of condoms with my current partner (she will do as well). Should I test for HIV again, I will let you know. Anyway, I am turning the page about this issue as of today.

Thank you everyone for your support!

Offline Ann

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #28 on: April 19, 2012, 07:34:28 am »
Ash,

It's good to hear that you and your partner are both going to have complete sexual health check ups before you stop using condoms. If she would like for you to have another hiv test at that time you may as well have one - you'll get another negative result - it would be only for her peace of mind.

Make sure she knows about the window period for hiv testing - she needs to test for hiv at three months (or more) following her last incident of unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with anyone (other than you - we already know that you don't have hiv).

You are conclusively hiv negative - which is no surprise as you didn't have a risk.

Ann
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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #29 on: May 18, 2012, 04:58:14 pm »
Just un update on my "case". It's currently about 14 weeks post incident, well beyond the window period. As for HIV, my urologist said 9 weeks is more than enough and that I shouldn't be concerned, but I might do a final test in the following days/weeks. I will post the results if I do. Actually, he looked me with a face of WTF when I told him I did two test based on my case (unprotected insertive fellatio + protected insertive anal and vaginal)

As promised, I went for a STD panel and I was tested some days ago (at the 14th week mark) for all this: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, NSU (Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Trichomonas) and Syphilis. For the first three, the doctor did an urethra swab, and it was one of the most painful things I've ever experienced :-\ If I knew this, I would probably have choosen another kind of test, but I read the urethra swab is very accurate as test anyway.

@Ann: as for my partner, she has been faithful to me always. I have been the only man she has been with and she is a usual blood donor (she donates blood twice per year), so I am totally sure she's safe on the HIV, Hepatitis, etc. side. But anyway, we use condoms, and there has been only three times vaginal sex since the incident (no oral, no anal). I have been the jerk in the relationship for cheating on her :-[

Ann, by the way (probably you know this already), France lowered the window period to six weeks (page 32) about two years ago already.  However, they only consider a result conclusive at this time for the those 4th Generation tests able to detect very low quantities of the Antigen p24 (50pg/ml or less). The list of such tests can be found here (the website is from ANSM, something like the FDA in France). I just thought  I would share this information for those who would like to have a bit of peace at the six week mark - of course if you're outside France, you will have to repeat the test at the twelve week mark for the protocol :)

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #30 on: May 18, 2012, 06:25:32 pm »
Here in the US it is considered that all generations of tests currently in use will give a reliable negative at 3 months.

If you re-test I certainly expect you will continue to test negative. 
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #31 on: May 22, 2012, 01:06:11 pm »
Hi guys,

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, NSU (Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Trichomonas) and Syphilis ---Negative at the 14th week mark post incident, so I am still wondering what could have caused the UTI I had around the 3rd week post incident :-\

I'm still thinking if taking or not the HIV test at the +3month mark (it's 15 weeks by now). I know rationally I would have to be WAY too unlucky to have my results changed now (very low to no risk situation + two consecutive negative tests, the last being 9 weeks post incident). Anyway, if I ever test again in these weeks, I will post my results to close this topic.

Thanks again.

Offline ashler

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The final test
« Reply #32 on: June 18, 2012, 11:29:33 am »
Hello guys,

I decided to go for a final test this Wednesday. Fingers crossed. I won't question the result if it's negative, as it's well beyond the Window period. It will be +4 months post risk (and +2 months after my last test).

Reasons to go for this test is the Dr. of the prevention center telling that "my results at 5 and 9 weeks post incident indicate that I had very low chances of being infected". I was hoping something more of the order "you don't need any further testing" :-\

Then In the last month I have been getting these randoms stabs of pain in my armpit, neck (under my jaw), and groin. That was really weird and scary. I don't feel those pains anymore (they lasted for about 2 weeks), but now I have a sore throat and a few pimples under my tongue. I suffer of rhinitis, so I related this problems to that, but anyway, it's scary.

Something that scared me a lot was this research (from 2000) I found a few days ago:

"A more recent study found that infectious HIV can be detected at high levels in saliva during the early weeks of HIV infection (the ‘window’ period before antibodies appear), but that levels fall rapidly after this point. Free floating infectious viruses and virus-infected white blood cells (lymphocytes) could be detected in saliva taken from individuals with primary HIV infection attending clinics in North Carolina. In seven out of eight cases, free floating infectious virus could be detected at an average level of 2000 copies per ml, and in five out of eight cases cell-associated virus could be detected at an average level of 20,000 copies per ml.3"

http://www.aidsmap.com/HIV-in-saliva/page/1323976/

Now, I always understood that saliva is not infectious (therefore the reason why getting a blowjob seems harmless) but it's really scaring to read what seems a serious research stating that "free floating infectious viruses and virus-infected white blood cells (lymphocytes) could be detected in saliva". This seems to be me a contradiction with the statement that saliva is not infectious. Maybe I am missing something?

Thanks in advance for your support, I will come back with my results next week.

ps. For those reading, please post your results too! Lots of people here always say "I will post my results" but never come back ???

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #33 on: June 18, 2012, 05:20:51 pm »
Saliva isn't infectious.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #34 on: June 18, 2012, 05:44:38 pm »
Saliva is absolutely not a risk and getting a blowjob is not a risk for HIV.
Andy Velez

Offline ashler

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #35 on: June 19, 2012, 11:03:17 am »
That's what I always knew but that research made me doubt. Thank you for your reassurance, guys.

Going for my last test tomorrow, as in the last two times, I will come back to post my results.

All the best and hope a cure is found soon.

Offline ashler

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The final test (hopefully)
« Reply #36 on: June 20, 2012, 05:25:53 am »
That's it. My blood was drawn for the third and last time (hopefully). Results next week.

Testing is a very relaxing and liberating thing. Going to get the results, that's a different story.
 
But is always better to be sure than killing you with anxiety thinking "what if". Hopefully, I won't be the first on this forum to seroconvert after a 4th generation test 9 weeks post incident. Or better said, hopefully, no-one in this forum will seroconvert beyond that time frame, ever.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2012, 05:29:43 am by ashler »

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Advice. Robed and scared.
« Reply #37 on: June 20, 2012, 05:30:07 am »
■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.

Offline ashler

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Symptoms mean nothing
« Reply #38 on: June 25, 2012, 05:58:59 am »
Hello guys,

I couldn't wait until tomorrow and when to prevention center to ask for my results, as you expected, it was Negative. This 130 days post incident. I have not HIV.

During the last 4 months of hell (I don't know why I waited an extra month, I should have close this chapter in the 3 months mark) I had a series of scary symptoms:

A swollen lymph node in the left side of my neck (confirmed by a doctor)
Random stabs of pain in all my lymph nodes
Since about two weeks ago, something that appears to be oral thrush (needs to be confirmed with my doctor tomorrow)

But none of these symptoms have nothing to do with HIV.

This virus affects our whole inmune system, and if you want to freak yourself you can google and you will always find a match for your symptom with HIV. Don't do that to yourself.

Currently my health is not good. I am mostly tired, I have lost 3Kg, I have more white hair (I am only in my mid 30s) all because I have been under maximum stress the last months. All this situation has wrecked my health, not HIV.

So I will copy a great advice I found in another forum, for people with a real risk (my case was not a "real risk" and I should have trusted my 9 weeks result, I don't know why I didn't. Mind is too powerful):

Don't wait too long to do a test, just do it. If the tests come back positive, you are in time for treatment, if they come back negative you can learn from it and have mental peace. But don't let anxiety kill you before anything else.

Thank you all for your support.

:)

PS. I have a constructive critic for you guys at forums.poz.

I know oral sex is extremely low risk (I am talking about receptive), but HIV experts agree that tranmission can and does occur. I am a little bit surprised because sometimes certain members here come saying they had receptive oral sex including ejaculation with some random partners and some of you tell there's no concern.

It would not be better to err on the side of caution? I know there have been studies proving that oral sex seems to be very safe, but I don't think those studies  have taken in consideration people in their window period (when they're more infectious). Furthermore, all of those studies don't conclude that oral is free risk. Just my thoughts.

 


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