So confused about window period - conflicting

[Borderline]

Hi Ann,

I saw a posting you did a long time ago about a technique you describe (running your finger up the condom whilst it's on the penis).  I don't really understand how you do this but wondered if you could please advise me:

In the past 6 years, I've been unlucky in that two condoms have broken during gay anal sex.  First time, I was fucking a guy.  I only noticed afterwards, went on PEP.  Eventual HIV test: negative

Then about 1 year ago, the same happened but I was being fucked (bottom).  Condom must have broken very early on, guy must have come inside me.  Put on PEP, but 5 months down the line tested HIV negative.

I don't want this to happen a third time, I always practise sex with condoms but don't understand why they break.  Please could you tell me how to try and minimise this?

thanks
Nick

[Borderline]

Please help me.

To cut a long story short, here is what happened:

1. 4 months ago, I had sex with a guy, the condom broke, I was the bottom, he came inside.

2. I started PEP immediately (20 hours after) and finished it after 28 days.

3. I had swollen glands and sore jaw about 3 weeks after finishing PEP.  I never get ill.

4. On the 13th of November (4 months after the incident, and 3 months after finishing PEP), I went and had fingerprick test, which came back Negative.  They also tested my blood at the lab on another test, and when I phoned they said I was conclusively HIV Negative.

I cannot say how relieved I was to find this out, but the anxiety has all come back again, I cannot sleep, I'm back on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds and I'm truly scared, scared more than I ever have been in my entire life, because I read on a website about PEP, and they said that to be truly conclusive, you have to go back after 6 months, not just 3 months, and this is shown on an official website run by the UK's largest HIV charity.

Here is the link to this site:

http://www.pep.chapsonline.org.uk/on_pep.htm

It's under the tab 'Staying in touch' and says

After you have finished your course of PEP, you will need to make two more visits, three months and six months later. This is to see whether PEP has been successful in preventing HIV infection.

As this site is run by the Terrence Higgins Trust, surely they're not wrong about this, are they?

Please can you advise whether I'm conclusively HIV neg, or whether I need further testing at 6 months?  I'm really scared that I've been given a false negative result and that the symptoms I had after stopping PEP are seroconversion and that if I test at 6 months (in 2 months time) it'll come back as a POZ result.

thanks for your time and help.

[RapidRod]

Please do not start a new thread every time you have another question or thought - regardless if you think your questions are related to each other or not. It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Additional threads will be merged.

If you cannot find your thread, click on the "Show own posts" link in the left-hand column of any forum page, under your name.

[Ann]

Nick,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

I apologise that your first post/thread was overlooked. It accidentally happens sometimes.




Regarding the questions in your first post, read the condom information in this response to another poster. (Please note - do NOT post in that thread. You may read, but not post there.) Let me know if that answers your questions. Also read through the condom and lube links in my signature line.

You don't need further testing. Even some otherwise reputable hiv organisations sometimes have outdated or just plain wrong information on their websites.

A negative antibody test done three months after your last dose of PEP is conclusive. You do not need further testing at this time.

Next time you get a sore jaw and swollen glands under your jaw, see a doctor or dentist. It's most likely something going on in your mouth that is causing the problem (like a cavity or abscess). Just because you "never get ill" doesn't mean there isn't a first time. Nobody - and I mean nobody - never gets ill at some point in their life.

You don't have hiv. Make sure you or your partner when you're bottoming are using condoms and using them correctly and you will continue to avoid hiv infection. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.

Ann

[Borderline]

Hi Ann,

I want to thank you for your response and your info about how to correctly use condoms.  You've really helped take away a lot of anxiety.

You and Andy are true stars for all your work on this forum.

Take care, babe

Nick x x

[Ann]

Nick,

You're welcome, sweetie.

Remember, condoms are a girl's best friend!

Ann