POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: urstruly on December 03, 2011, 01:31:32 am

Title: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on December 03, 2011, 01:31:32 am
Hi experts,

Kindly assess my current situation. On Oct 16th I had sex with a CSW. It was unprotected oral and protected vaginal intercourse until the condom failed. It was my first time ever having sex and ended in a disaster. I am uncircumcised which I am told would increase the chances if any. After this incident I have discussed this matter with CSW I have been with and she has been constantly assuring that she was negative which only has been a consoling matter rather than any improvement in my anxiety. After exactly a week after this incident I had cough and pain in my throat. After visiting ENT I was diagnosed for swollen tonsils along with sinus infection. Although the pain subsided the irritation in throat is still persistent after 7 weeks after exposure.

Unable to bear this anxiety I had visited a HIV doctor after 4 weeks (27 days to be precise) he suggested me to have PCR DNA and ELISA anti body test. Results of the tests are not detected and negative respectively. After the tests he assured me that I am HIV negative and can move on without any further concerns. After the tests I have done some research online and to my concerns the validity of tests added. I found that some doctors don't consider PCR DNA a diagnostic test and ELISA is too early to detect anything at that time. Now my worries are back to square one and the money spent on tests are for nothing.

Apart from cough there are few more following physical changes:

1. Few(4-5) pimple like bumps on my back that come and leave scars once cured on their own.
2. Sore and redness on tip of the tongue that occurred after 6 weeks and is continuing for a week
3. Redness in the eye

Please kindly suggest what should be done moving forward.

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on December 03, 2011, 04:09:50 am
You never had an exposure.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on December 03, 2011, 10:01:41 am
Basically I think you are worrying needlessly. The condom protected you until it broke. We're talking about a single incident. And HIV is significantly more difficult to transmit from female to male than the other way around.

The average time to serconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure. So a negative result at 6 weeks is a very strong indication that you will continue to test negative at 3 months for a conclusive result.

Nothing in your "symptoms" is in any way HIV specific. If symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor.

Becoming active sexually can be exciting and it can also be very anxiety-provoking. Take a breath. No kidding. I expect you come out of this ok.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on December 04, 2011, 05:08:31 am
Hi Rapid,

I didnt get you. Isn't condom failure a risk? Pls let me know if your assesment was from my test results.

Thanks.

Hi andy,

My tests were done at 4 weeks not 6. Also pls comment on my PCR result.

Regards.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on December 04, 2011, 05:18:01 am
I'm sorry, I didn't catch the "condom failure". PCR-DNA tests are not approved diagnostic tests for HIV. You can obtain your conclusive negative test result 3 months post exposure. Just stick to an antibody tests.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on December 04, 2011, 08:50:20 am
The important test result for you was the negative Elisa at 6 weeks. Given the low level of your risk from the broken condom and that negative result, you are very likely to continue testing negative at 13 weeks. That is the result I certainly expect.

The DNA PCR was never intended to be a diagnostic test. It frequently yields false positives. Don't waste your money on that again. 
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on December 11, 2011, 01:11:49 am
Hi Andy,

My previous antibody test was at 4 weeks and not 6 weeks. After your suggestion reg PCR I took an anti body test after 8 weeks and that came back negative too. Can I take this test conclusive?


Regards
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on December 11, 2011, 05:56:36 am
Your conclusive test result will the 3 months post exposure.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on December 11, 2011, 07:42:37 am
Thanks a lot RAPID. So should this result mean anything to me which might help me in understanding my situation? Also are there people who turn up being positive later on without any further risks? If yes then in which type of physical conditions?
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Ann on December 11, 2011, 09:24:19 am
urs,

Of course it means something. Re-read your entire thread - particularly the part where Andy tells you that most people seroconvert by six weeks.

I do not expect your result to change when you confirm at three months.

Ann
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on December 22, 2011, 11:18:47 am
Hi,

Sorry to bother you all again but I am getting scared day by day I reach that 13 week mark. I have been constantly examining the physical changes occurring in my body. Recently I am having problem with my skin. I have these small pimples filled with puss that come and go on my back and shoulders. Also I developed a spot on my face (right cheek) which is red in color and upper skin came off when peeled. I hear rashes are common during ARS and what does a typical ARS rash look like. I am unable to feel confident and taking hell load of pressure on myself.

Regards
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on December 22, 2011, 11:20:17 am
Your signs and symptoms have nothing to do with HIV.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on December 22, 2011, 01:03:26 pm
Fortunately fears aren't facts. There is nothing HIV-specific in anything you are reporting. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

We expect you to continue to test negative when you re-test.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on January 08, 2012, 09:14:46 pm
Hi,

Yesterday 12 weeks after the exposure I had TRIDOT antibody screening test. The result is negative. Can I consider this as conclusively negative? How good is a tridot test?

Thanks
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on January 08, 2012, 09:20:17 pm
Yes you are conclusively negative.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Ann on January 09, 2012, 03:10:42 am
urs,

Before you ask for more opinions, YES, the tridot test is reliable.

YES, you are conclusively hiv negative.

You do NOT have hiv.

Ann
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on April 29, 2012, 07:29:19 am
Hi All,

I never thought I would be back on this forum with HIV fear but stupidity bought me back in here. I had this exposure very recently unlike previous time I have been very very careful and had taken all precautions in spite of that the condom failed  :-[. Unlike last time this time it was like very few seconds and I realized immediately and pulled of but the ejaculation happened inside. I am running out of my mind. Again the cycle of nervousness and long wait of three months started. I know I am out of my head but kindly help me.

Regards,
Urstruly
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: RapidRod on April 29, 2012, 07:55:48 am
The answers are the same as before. You need to find out what YOU are doing wrong to cause the condom failures.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on April 29, 2012, 09:20:42 am
The routine is the same as far as testing. You get a conclusive result at 3 months. And given the same scenario you are likely to test negative again.

As far as having a condom break again, you should be sure you are using a size that is right for you. And the condoms are latex and within the proper date indicated for usage. You should be using a water-based lubricant. When the condom is on pinch the head of it to remove any air that maybe remaining in the condom. Practice this yourself so that become accustomed to putting them on properly.

I expect you to come out of this incident ok.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on April 30, 2012, 12:45:48 pm
Hi Andy,

Your words worth a billion. But its very hard to concentrate with HIV fear in your head. Please let me know the symptoms of ARS if it occurs and the time frame of the same.

Regards,
URSTRULY
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on April 30, 2012, 01:08:11 pm
Forget about looking for symptoms. That will only stoke your fears and all to no good purpose. The symptoms which are sometimes associated with ARS are so similar to those of other illnesses that you cannot go by them. Focusing on looking for them is just going to get you crazy with misinterpreting everything you notice as "another sign".

Focus on other things in your life and eventually you will get tested and collect what I expect will be another negative result.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on June 09, 2012, 11:07:43 pm
Hi All,

Its been past 6 weeks after my recent exposure. I have met the doctor and have given blood and Urine for all possible STDs

for HIV specifically I have been asked to take TRIDOT anti body test and PCR DNA. TRIDOT anti body test is negative and waiting for my PCR results.

It has been very stressful 6 weeks already and I know I will have to wait for another 6-7 weeks for conclusivity. Please let me know if this TRIDOT result is encouraging enough.

Thanks for all the help through these tough times for me.

Regards
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: jkinatl2 on June 09, 2012, 11:14:22 pm
Any HIV test at six weeks is highly encouraging.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on June 09, 2012, 11:19:36 pm
That was god speed  :). By the way thanks a ton for that reply. I will keep you updated.

Also please let me know if you have any idea about TRIDOT tests. These are specifically used in India alone. how reliable are they?
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: jkinatl2 on June 09, 2012, 11:48:28 pm
That was god speed  :). By the way thanks a ton for that reply. I will keep you updated.

Also please let me know if you have any idea about TRIDOT tests. These are specifically used in India alone. how reliable are they?

From what I read, the TRIDOT test is considered just about as valid as any other fourth generation test.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2005.01231.x/full

The article referenced is seven years old. I can only assume that the tests have improved since then. Every other (non-research) article I have found deems TRIDOT compatible with other current testing guidelines.

Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on June 10, 2012, 02:04:08 am
Thanks for the info....
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: urstruly on August 10, 2012, 01:57:28 pm
Hi All,

After the exposure on APR 28th,2012 I have taken a tridot antibody test on Aug 5th (14 weeks) and it came back as negative. Can I consider it reliable and final? Your halp is highly appreciated and Thanks for all the support.
Title: Re: Need help and guidance
Post by: Andy Velez on August 10, 2012, 03:37:29 pm
You're HIV negative. Enjoy that happy result and get on with your life. No further testing is necessary.