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Author Topic: Should I test  (Read 11525 times)

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Offline Jerry84

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Should I test
« on: May 28, 2012, 06:52:09 pm »
Hey Moderators and others. I had unprotected sex, I realize that I put myself at a risk. So I realize that I will need to test at the 3 month mark. My question for you guys is would it be logical to get a test at the half way mark (6 weeks) to get a better idea what to expect going into my 3 month mark? Since Ive read on here that a 6 week test would be a very good indicator of my status. Or is this just a complete waste of time. Thanks guys.

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2012, 07:29:08 pm »
Hey Moderators and others. I had unprotected sex, I realize that I put myself at a risk. So I realize that I will need to test at the 3 month mark. My question for you guys is would it be logical to get a test at the half way mark (6 weeks) to get a better idea what to expect going into my 3 month mark? Since Ive read on here that a 6 week test would be a very good indicator of my status. Or is this just a complete waste of time. Thanks guys.

Depends on the sort of unprotected sex. Let's assume you had unprotected anal or vaginal sex, shall we?

That's certainly a risk for HIV infection and other STIs to boot. As you know the window period for HIV testing is three months but a test at 6 weeks is a good idea. If it's negative then you're pretty much set for a negative result at 3 months.

If it's positive, well no further testing needed.

Remember to ask to be tested for other STIs. Things such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia are much more common and infectious than HIV.

If you've not already, getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is also a wise idea.

MtD

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2012, 08:08:40 pm »
Hey thanks for the timely reply. I really appreciate it. Actually tested negative for those two at the correct time to test. So if I test negative at 6 weeks, I should be set for a negative 3 months. So is it safe to assume that a 6 week negative is a very good indicator of whats to come at the 3 month mark? Sorry just trying to clarify. And ease my anxiety if I do test negative at the 6 week mark. Also im going to use a 3rd gen rapid test. Is that still a good indicator for a neg test at 6 weeks? Thanks again.

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2012, 08:14:17 pm »
Hey thanks for the timely reply. I really appreciate it. Actually tested negative for those two at the correct time to test. So if I test negative at 6 weeks, I should be set for a negative 3 months. So is it safe to assume that a 6 week negative is a very good indicator of whats to come at the 3 month mark? Sorry just trying to clarify. And ease my anxiety if I do test negative at the 6 week mark. Also im going to use a 3rd gen rapid test. Is that still a good indicator for a neg test at 6 weeks? Thanks again.

Yep. If you test negative at 6 weeks on a 3rd gen you're not going to test positive at 3 months.

The reason the window period is so long is that tiny few (transplant recipients on immunosuppressive medications, people receiving certain sorts of chemotherapy for cancer and long term injection drug users) can take that long to test positive after infection.

So I heartily recommend you get a test at 6 weeks. If it's negative make sure you follow up at 3 months so the result can be considered conclusive.

Best,

MtD

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2012, 08:23:32 pm »
Oh I understand now. So the three month window is to cover every single possible case. So it makes sense for the cdc to group every single case together, when in reality a normal person would test positive by 6 weeks. Is that right? I try to stay off most sites since they give such misinformed information. Thats why Im coming to this one, you guys really do a superb job at informing us. I cannot tell you how great you're informative advice is. Thanks mtd. You're great.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2012, 09:09:27 pm »
Yes, those additonal 6 weeks beyond testing at 6 weeks are just to catch the very few who may for whatever reasons take longer to seroconvert.

That's smart about staying off of the web as far as surfing for "information." In most cases all they do is feed your fears to no good purpose.

Andy Velez

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2012, 09:25:26 pm »
I am doing my best to stay off the web as per your guys' advice. So my very last question Andy, just to ease my mind. Since I just took the advice of mtd and tested negative on a rapid test (today). Is there very little chance of my negative 6 week test to turn positive later at 3 months? Thats my last question, I won keep this thread going and waste your guys time. Thanks all.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2012, 09:27:18 pm »
To answer your question, I expect you to continue to test negative.

Meantime while waiting to re-test you should make a real effort to focus on other things in your life. It will make the waiting time pass more easily than you probably imagine is possible.
Andy Velez

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2012, 09:35:35 pm »
Thanks Andy. Like I said before. All of you do great things on here. I know some people take advantage of your guys help and efforts. I just want to say what you all do is great to all of us and greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2012, 10:04:02 pm »
You're welcome, Jerry.
Andy Velez

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2012, 01:21:37 am »
So Andy. Do you agree with the statement. If you test negative at 6 weeks you won't test positive at 13 weeks? Just getting a second opinion for support. Thanks.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2012, 01:53:00 am »
As another person authorized to respond, I agree with Matty - who is, as all persons authorized to respond here are, an HIV expert.

"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 Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2012, 02:00:21 am »
Sorry, I mean no disrespect. I know you're all qualified and authorized to respond. And for that I'm eternally grateful. So Jk, you also believe that a 6 week negative, even though it was a 3rd gen test will also be negative at 3 months?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2012, 02:21:28 am »
Sorry, I mean no disrespect. I know you're all qualified and authorized to respond. And for that I'm eternally grateful. So Jk, you also believe that a 6 week negative, even though it was a 3rd gen test will also be negative at 3 months?

I do indeed.
"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 Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2012, 01:20:00 am »
sorry all. Ill be sure to stay with this thread with my comments. Sorry I had not read the rules. Can anyone give me information about ars timeline? Ive read on other sites that it occurs 2-4 weeks? Is this true? Also, I wont start any other threads. Thanks all.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #15 on: May 30, 2012, 01:35:59 am »
Most people who do test positive do so within 22 days. The three month window is meant to catch the few people who do not.
"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 Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #16 on: May 30, 2012, 01:42:59 am »
Oh I meant ars by the symptoms. I will in no way use them to diagnose myself. I was just trying to get a better idea by you guys (the experts) when ars symptoms show up? is it 2-4 weeks?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #17 on: May 30, 2012, 01:56:39 am »
Oh I meant ars by the symptoms. I will in no way use them to diagnose myself. I was just trying to get a better idea by you guys (the experts) when ars symptoms show up? is it 2-4 weeks?

Depends on the person. Often, people show no symptoms of serconversion whatsoever. That is why we generally don't address symptoms in our assessment. I for one won't do it, unless your symptoms put you in the hospital - in which case a simple HIV test would likely determine your status.

"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 Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2012, 02:45:01 am »
What do you mean? If you were experiencing such bad ars symptoms would you test positive on a antibody test?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #19 on: May 30, 2012, 02:56:26 am »
What do you mean? If you were experiencing such bad ars symptoms would you test positive on a antibody test?

Hey, this is why we don't discuss symptoms! Thanks for reminding me!

I withdraw from this discussion. We don't know the nature of your "exposure" so frankly, I am not assuming anything.

Wait three months, then test.

"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 nursepoz24

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #20 on: May 30, 2012, 03:19:51 am »
3 months is conclusive as what ANNE said. anyway, Is HIV SD bioline antibody 1/2 3rd gen?

can you post here what are the 1st gen til 4th gen..

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #21 on: May 30, 2012, 03:27:01 am »
3 months is conclusive as what ANNE said. anyway, Is HIV SD bioline antibody 1/2 3rd gen?

can you post here what are the 1st gen til 4th gen..

Nurse,

Please don't respond to threads in Am I Infected. There are restrictions on who can reply here. Only Moderators and certain authorised members are allowed to respond to posts in this forum.

It's all explained in the Welcome Thread..

MtD

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #22 on: May 30, 2012, 03:38:47 am »
Sorry nurse you cant reply on here. Can you mtd reply to my post.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #23 on: May 30, 2012, 03:41:30 am »
Sorry nurse you cant reply on here. Can you mtd reply to my post.

You are not allowed to use the PM function to circumvent the authorized moderators on this forum. This post has been reported.
"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 Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #24 on: May 30, 2012, 03:49:58 am »
Are you referring to me? I have made sure no to pm anyone.

Offline Ann

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #25 on: May 30, 2012, 07:31:03 am »
Jerry,

I understand that you were simply telling nursepoz24 that you didn't want to hear from him as he is not authorised to reply to questions or post in the Am I Infected forum. No worries.

As you have been repeatedly told, a six week (or more) negative result is highly unlikely to change when you confirm at the three month point. Now you're just going to have to wait until it's the appropriate time for your conclusive test.

I hope you learn a lesson from this and stop having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!!!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...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 Andy Velez

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #26 on: May 30, 2012, 07:33:25 am »
Jerry, let's keep this simple. A negative result at 6 weeks means you are likely to continue to test negative at 3 months.

While I appreciate your wanting a more absolute answer, you do have to wait until 3 months for a conclusive negative result.
Andy Velez

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #27 on: May 30, 2012, 07:30:05 pm »
Okay thanks everyone for the replies. This is my last question. What makes a 6 week negative so encouraging? Is it because almost everyone would test positive (if they were in fact positive) by that time? Just looking for a little clarification. Thanks all.

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #28 on: May 30, 2012, 08:16:09 pm »
Okay thanks everyone for the replies. This is my last question. What makes a 6 week negative so encouraging? Is it because almost everyone would test positive (if they were in fact positive) by that time? Just looking for a little clarification. Thanks all.

That is correct.

MtD

Offline Jerry84

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #29 on: June 27, 2012, 01:13:48 am »
Hey all I'm back again. I just have a few more questions then I'll get out of your hair. I just tested again at the 80 day mark. The results were negative. However after the test, I found out that the test used only looked for Igg antibodies. Not the igm antibodies. Would this test still be accurate at the 80th day mark? Or would it take much longer for the igg testing to be accurate? Also if it just as accurate, would the 80 day mark be close enough to 3 months (12 weeks) to be considered conclusive?

**Also I have one more question regarding ars and the production of antibodies. I know the symptoms mean absolutely nothing and more times than not are something completely different. So i wont bring up symptoms etc. Anyways, my only question about this is that at day 37 (5.5 weeks) I came down with a fever and sore tonsils. Which I suspect was most likely due to tonsillitis. I suspect that if this fever was indeed due to ars I would for sure have tested positive by the 80 day day test which was more than 6 weeks after the onset of the fever. Since pretty much everyone would test positive 2 or 3 weeks later. So pretty much my question is wouldnt one test positive for sure if he had ars 6 weeks prior? Sorry I know ars questions are pretty much pointless but I just wanted to get your guys opinion on that. Thanks.

If anyone can help me out with the couple of questions I would be very grateful. Thanks all.

Offline Ann

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Re: Should I test
« Reply #30 on: June 27, 2012, 06:14:56 am »
Jerry,

Yesterday I rejected a new account request from you - and at that time I rejected it because you were forgetting your password to another, already existing account (henry17). I rejected your new account (Terry88) with email, hoping you'd get the hint to go through the proper procedure to get your password back.

But no, today you applied for yet another account - (Macharrison7) - which I have also rejected with email. And then I realise you already had two accounts.

This is despite agreeing to have only one account each and every time you applied for an account. We do not permit multiple accounts here.

What really chaps my ass is that you were asking the same questions over and over and over again about six week testing with both accounts - and you actually accidentally posted in one of your threads with the wrong account - and then told yourself off afterwards. What nerve!

Well guess what. Your 80 day negative isn't going to change. Also, you are now permanently banned from these forums.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...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

 


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