POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: anonym on January 17, 2012, 07:03:07 pm
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Short Version:
I just had an orasure (i think orasure hiv 1/2) test done at a local clinic. This is 12-14 months post exposure. I took the tab, moved it between top cheek and gums from one side to another and repeated on bottom. Was not instructed to let it sit for a minute or 2. Negative. Is this conclusive? I was instructed to test 3, 6, 9 months, 1 year out from this test, but I don't understand this because my exposure was so long ago. Tester knew this.
Past:
Had a short heterosexual fling about 14 months ago with a mid-20's white female. We had sex a dozen to 2 dozen times, vaginal, sometimes for hours at a time, unprotected. 2-6 weeks (cant remember) after last possible exposure, I had a full STD panel done and HIV blood test, all negative. The physician I saw said I wasn't at high risk and had no symptoms but tested me to put my mind at ease. She treated me with antibiotics for a mild throat infection at the time.
I went on worry free, working an intense job for 14 hours a day from Feb-Nov and so my focus wasn't on this anymore. However, when the position ended my mind went back to it, and as I knew I was in the window period when I first tested, worked up the courage to get tested again (orasure test described above). Since the Spring when I started the job, I've suffered continuous mild symptoms of sore/scratchy/hoarse throat, sinus infections, and mild malaise lasting a couple days. Seems like a cold season thing. Allergy sufferer, indoor and outdoor. Do I need more testing? or should I move on and maybe look into other areas? diet, exercise, thyroid, etc.
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As long as you have tested negative at 3 months (or more) past the most recent unprotected incident then you are reliably HIV negative.
For future reference you can have intercourse with anyone you want to. Just always do it the safer way which means using a condom everytime. No exceptions no matter how great the other person looks or what you think you know about their history. That way you will be well protected.
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Thank you for your quick reply.
I wanted to make sure that the test was administered correctly, is as accurate as a blood test, and that I do not have to follow up again...? Based on what you know.
I hear you. and I've learned that lesson for good now. I am in a new healthy, abstinent relationship and that's one of the reasons I'm trying to find out definitively whether or not I need to take more steps to assure that I'm healthy in this regard.
Much Respect
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OK, you're good to go. And just remember, keep using condoms everytime for anal or vaginal intercourse.
Cheers.