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Author Topic: HIV risk and window period  (Read 5694 times)

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Offline 182903

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HIV risk and window period
« on: April 16, 2010, 11:24:15 pm »
Hi,
I am a 37 year old female and on the 13th Feb 2010 i had unprotected sex with a man of unknown status.  Firstly i was wondering what my risk was with a first time exposure and secondly i had a HIV ab/ag test done at 6.5 weeks and it came back negative.  I had this done to help put my mind at ease but there is so much conflicting information out there that i'm not sure whether this is a really good indicator that i am alright.  I am going to get tested again in 3 weeks which will be exactly 12 weeks since exposure but i am hoping that the test at 6.5 weeks can put my mind at ease.  I suffer from anxiety anyway and since that night it's all i can think about.

Normally i wouldn't be so stupid but this man is a friend of my sisters and divorced within the last year so at the time i assumed he was ok, but now i'm thinking that wouldn't mean anything.  Any information would be greatly appreciated, i know the window period is 3 months but i have read that 6 weeks is very promising and from what i have read first time exposure carries only a small risk to, hoping i have read correctly.  I have had flu like symptoms but i suffer from allergies so the only different symptoms i have had are a burnt feeling tongue with red lines and a sore throat.


Thanks

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2010, 11:28:06 pm »
Well unprotected vaginal sex is certainly a risk and you need to be tested. Your 6 week negative result indicates you have a very good chance of testing negative at 13 weeks. You need to have that 13 week test to get a valid result.

Can I also suggest you be tested for STDs other than HIV? Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in particular. You should probably ask for a full sexual health check up. You might want to consider being vaccinated for Hepatitis B if you've not been vaccinated already.

As you note, just because he's a person known to you or your family doesn't mean anything about his HIV status.

MtD

Offline 182903

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2010, 11:55:22 pm »
Hi,

I was tested for everything when i got the hiv test and i will be getting the vaccination when i go back at 12 weeks.  Just been stressing so badly over it all.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2010, 09:24:25 am »
Just for future reference, you should always take the precautions with anyone you are with as if you assume they are HIV+. That means always using condoms. The only time  you can dispense with using them is when you are in a securely committed and monogamous relationship in which both partners have reliably tested negative together.

Good luck with your test.
Andy Velez

Offline 182903

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2010, 05:56:36 pm »
Thanks Andy, certainly wont be making any mistakes like that again.

In your opinion what are my chances of staying negative.  Everything i have read say's there great but there is also so much info out there that is different.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2010, 07:50:28 am »
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. So your negative at 6.5 weeks is very encouraging.

I think the chances that you will continue to test negative are very good.

Good luck with your test and keep us posted.

Cheers.
Andy Velez

Offline 182903

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2010, 05:34:41 pm »
Thanks Andy and Matty,

I feel a little better now thanks to your responses.  I might actually be able to go to work today and Tafe tomorrow and be able to concentrate instead of stressing for a change.

I wil certainly keep you posted

Thanks again

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV risk and window period
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2010, 08:44:08 pm »
Good. Glad the exchanges helped. I expect you to come out of this ok.
Andy Velez

 


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