POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: fearandanxiety on August 20, 2013, 04:55:16 pm
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Hello, first I wanna say thank you for having such an informative and helpful forum. About 7 weeks ago I had a very very brief unprotected encounter with a guy that I knew. After the brief exposure we put on a condom and had sex. I was very nervous and scared because I know that although brief it was still a risk. I got tested at 3 1/2 weeks, it was Elisa which came back neg. I got tested again at 5 weeks and 2 days, rapid again neg. I know that my last result is a good indication, but I will retest at 3 mos for conclusive result. I'm now 7 weeks post and I just noticed that my fingernails (about 4 of them) are seperating from the nail bed. I did just have my nails done, but I read that this could be a sign of HIV. So despite my last test, I'm even more nervous. My question is have you heard of this happening to nails almost 2 mos after exposure? And how accurate would a rapid test be at 5 weeks 2 days post? I'm really losing it over here on top of the guilt of being irresponsible I'm very dissapointed in myself. I've been depressed and even took off of work. The situation with my nails has definitely added to my fears. Plz help, thanks in advance.
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If your exposure was unprotected vaginal or anal sex then you did have a risk .
The testing window period is 6 weeks post exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results , your 5 week 2 day test is a good indication that your 3 month test will be negative as well .
Your symptoms are not specific to HIV and I have never in 30 years of dealing with HIV ever known a person that had their manicure ruined due to seroconversion . I think its safe to rule out the finger nail HIV connection . We do not discuss symptoms , the only way to know your HIV status is to test at the appropriate time .
If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.
Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
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Thanks Jeff, I know the whole nail thing sounds crazy but reading online it said if you have HIV you're more likely to get fungal infections of the nails and that as a result some people experience their nails seperating from the skin. But I have decided to just stay off the internet and just get retested when the time comes. Thanks for your expertise and taking the time out to read my post.
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Thanks Jeff, I know the whole nail thing sounds crazy but reading online it said if you have HIV you're more likely to get fungal infections of the nails and that as a result some people experience their nails seperating from the skin. But I have decided to just stay off the internet and just get retested when the time comes. Thanks for your expertise and taking the time out to read my post.
You are welcome ... its a great idea not to dwell on this site or any other , it will add to your anxiety . We have folks that were told they didn't have a risk and tested negative that I see pouring over every AM I Infected post ever written . One guy has been doing it for years
( YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE ) .
I just know you are going to be OK and come out of this fine . No need to reply , save it to come back with an update that you do not have HIV .