POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: confusedkitty on August 09, 2007, 10:31:57 am
-
Hiya
I have a question with regards to the blood test they do when they check for antibodies. How rigorous is the testing? I was tested negative but like most people i'm, having the 'what if' thoughts. At the time i asked for the 48hr test, unfortunately the nurse had told me my result would be available on a day they dont collect results from the labs.
Anyway when i called up this other nurse told me it wasn't ready and said 'oh they've put it under routine testing which is good news for you as normally if they find anything they are on the case straight away' i guess this was still no help because i wanted my result, she contacted the labs who checked the result after the end of the day and finally it came back negative.
I was wondering if theres any chance they could have 'rushed' the test? i mean how do they just know by quickly looking at it that it can go under 'routine' and not a matter of urgency. Also how many tests do they do before they say 'hey its negative'
Might sound like a silly question so apologies, I need to know if im worrying needlessly or if they really are a bunch of super professionals.
-
Confused,
You can rest assured that the tests are done properly. As hiv is an infectious disease, they want to know a person's true status so they're not going to mess around and rush or not follow proper proceedure.
The window period for hiv is three months. As long as your test was done three months after your last incident of unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, the result will be conclusive.
While you're here, along with reading the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and following the links to the Transmission and Testing Lessons, here's what you need to know about hiv prevention:
You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.
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.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is taht simple!
Ann
-
thank you for the speedy response Ann. My risk wasn't vaginal or anal, so I know it was no risk, but like most people who finally test negative, im thinking of all the what ifs.
I know its something I have to deal with but thanks for the reassurance.
-
Hi there,
just want some advice really as to what i should do, i was starting to get over my fixation with hiv and the symptoms until one of my friends told me that the purple sides on my tongue were a hiv symptom, now im beginning to doubt my test again. I know frottage isnt a risk and that was why i tested initially and was relieved that it was a negative. I had the blood test which the nurse told me would be back after 48 hours, how good are the tests at picking up the correct results? does it mean if it came back quick that its a rushed test?
I keep worrying, i wish my friend hadn't said anything, is it normal to question a negative result?
I wish i could let this go.
-
also is it worth me retesting? would the blood test picked up all strains of hiv?
thank u
-
Confused,
You didn't have a risk and you do not need further testing. You ARE hiv negative.
If you're having a difficult time moving past this, then perhaps it is time you sought out counseling so you can learn ways of coping with your anxiety. We cannot help you with that here.
Ann
-
I know Ann, thanks for replying, but i still need to know how good are the tests? would it have picked up all strains?
I dont expect counselling from you guys! im fine until someone mentions i have a symptom and i know i need to deal with that.
thank u
-
Confused,
If you had any sort of hiv, the test would have picked it up. You do NOT have hiv and you do NOT need further testing. If you're worried about any sort of symptom, talk to your doctor. It's nothing to do with hiv because you are totally and reliably hiv negative.
Ann
-
thxs Ann, i think you meant i do not need further testing!
Thank you, my doctor has seen my tongue but he thought it was normal. That'll teach me for going on the internet and searching i guess.
Thanks again. ;)
-
hello
this has nothing to do with hiv but i was searching under syphilis on the web and i came across that before the test one should inform the doc/nurse that they are taking them. I know this is only a hiv forum but i am ringing the clinic this afternoon and would appreciate any input from you guys. I wasn't on antibiotics but am on other hormone tablets, my main risk was frottage, all tests negative, im worried that the pills may have affected my test causing false negative for syphilis.
Has anyone got a bit more knowledge on these?
many thanks in advance
-
We aren't a syphilis site and you should ask your doctor these sorts of questions. In short antibiotic use will not cause a false negative on a TPHA and/or an RPR. These are syphilis blood tests.
MtD
-
thanks Matty, i will be ringing the clinic and speaking to the nurse. I had the blood test drawn from the arm, so i have no idea which one it was.
I do have a question in relation to hiv, but its daft, its something my friends said, do all black people have hiv? i didnt think the colour of ones skin mattered, but i have been told different
-
You're right about the question. It is a daft idea that your friends are passing around that all black people have HIV. It is true the epidemic has been particularly devastating in sub-Saharan Africa. There are so many ridiculous such rumors that people who don't know the real deal about HIV speculate about which feed all sorts of prejudices.
As long as safer sex is practiced consistently with regard to using condoms for intercourse, skin color is irrelevant. Condoms provide equal protection for all.