High Risk + ARS Symptoms

[boneil]

30 days ago I had a very very high risk exposure (multiple instances of unprotected receptive intercourse). Very bad decision and I won't get into all the details..
20 days after the incident I developed flu-like symptoms with fever that lasted only about 3 days but since then I have had constant fatigue and ongoing dull headache + plus bouts of slight dizziness and a general feeling of illness (especially in my head).

I know it is iffy that an antibody test will come back positive at this point would an STD clinic do a viral load test? or is it best to go right to a specialist - i'd like to avoid my PCP for the first visit.  

I am a bit shellshocked right now and won't be back in town until later this week to get tested - in the meantime I am being careful not to put anyone at risk.

[Andy Velez]

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after a risky incident. So if you hold off and get tested at 6 weeks you can get a fairly reliable result if it's negative. A negative at 6 weeks is very unlikely to become positive when you do the needed re-testing at 13 weeks.

None of the symptoms you are reporting are in any way HIV specific. Neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. Only an HIV test at the right time can give you a reliable answer.

[Ann]

Bone,

Even if you ARE hiv positive, you're not going to have to worry about things like PCP for a long time yet, so forget about that.

Neither symptoms, nor the LACK of symptoms will ever tell you a single thing about your hiv status. ONLY testing, at the appropriate time, with the appropriate tests, will ever reliably inform you of your hiv status.

You do NOT need to go directly to a specialist. A testing center is all you need at this point.

The only PCR (viral load) test that is approved for diagnostic purposes is the RNA PCR. Even then, it must be confirmed either way with antibody (and Western Blot, when indicated) testing. A positive antibody result must be confirmed with a Western Blot test, not PCR testing. For more information on testing, see the Testing Lesson link found in the Welcome Thread.

The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seronconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. You might as well not bother with the very expensive and difficult to obtain  PCR testing and just go with the antibody test, seeing as where you are in your window period. A negative six week result MUST be confirmed at the three month point.

If whatever you experienced at 20+ days had anything to do with hiv, you'll probably test positive (or indeterminate at the very least) on the antibody test when you test later in the week. What SOME (not all) people experience as a possible seroconversion illness is actually due to the process the body goes through when producing antibodies, rather than from the virus itself.

Good luck with the testing.

Ann

[boneil]

thanks for the quick reply - i'll let you know the results - there is a rapid test center close to me when I arrive home.  I know symptoms alone tell you nothing I only wish I was one of those posters with little actual risk... 

[Andy Velez]

Avoiding sexual risk in the future for HIV transmission is very simple. Just make certain that when it comes to intercourse, the insertive partner always has to be wearing a condom. No exceptions, no stories and no excuses. It really is just that simple to protect your health.

Good luck with your test.

[boneil]

The rapid test was positive ..   Result being confirmed by additional test will know by Friday.  I'm not having a good day to say the least  - don't know what to say..

[Ann]

Boneil,

Try to hang on until Friday before you get too worked up. False positives are known to happen. As I said in my first post to you, even if you are poz, it's not the end of the world. It might seem like it right now, but it's not.

Hang in there and wait for confirmation. Good luck.

Ann

[boneil]

My western blot was indeterminate - which we all know what that means -  I am strangely calm and have an appt with a doctor next week - no doubt they will retest and do a viral load test. 

[Andy Velez]

OK. We'll be awaiting further word from you.

If it turns out that you're positive you'll find you have plenty of support and you will get through.

In the meantime, keep breathing nice deep and slow breaths if you find yourself tensing up.

Cheers.

[boneil]

I gave 11 vials of blood today for the various tests. I should get the CD4 number first in a couple days, VL by end of week, and final WB results by early next week. Follow up appointment in 2 weeks. I am not at all excited about getting CD4/VL before a final WB confirmation. To everyone reading this who is not practicing 100% safe sex. Please do so now - don't play the odds, don't make calculated risks it's not worth it - not even once.