Question about My Potential Risk

[Idontknowanymore]

Hey everyone! Let me start by saying that I think this site is great. I have two questions that I'd really appreciate some help with.

1. I've been in a monogamous relationship with a guy for about 6 months. I was a virgin, he had been with 3 girls. He was tested for HIV but I was informed that he was tested a couple days after he had stopped having sex with one girl, therefore did not wait until the 3 month window period ended and I'm concerned that he may have gotten a false negative. Of course I didn't think much of this before. Mid-January we started to have sex and we have always used a condom). However, in the beginning, due to our own carelessness, the condoms would slip off, usually staying on the tip of his penis but coming a good 3/4 off. I know pre-cum does present a risk for transmission but I was wondering if the fact that the condom had not slipped off completely lowers it at all. (This was vaginal intercourse).

2. I was taking a shower and since me and my roommate use the same brand of razor I think I may have mixed mine up with hers and I was wondering if that presents a risk. Her status is unknown. I used it to shave my legs and they were a little irritated from shaving the day before but I didn't cut myself. However I may have had some nicks or patches of irritated skin. I didn't examine the razor to see whether or not there was blood on it as I didn't think twice about it at the time. (This was a few months ago).

Finally, I had 2 HIV tests, one in Oct (when I was still a virgin) and one last week. I should go to get the results Tuesday. But, I'm terrified and I don't think I can bring myself to go. Any words of encouragement would help greatly. Thanks!

[Andy Velez]

There's no risk from sharing your roommate's razor.

As long as the head of your bf's penis was/is covered then there is not likely to be risk. But HIV is nothing to fool around about. Perhaps he's not putting them on properly or the ones he's using are not the right size.

You need to keep on using condoms together until if and when you are in a securely monogamous relationship in which both partners test negatively at 13 weeks past the most recent unprotected incident.

Your anxiety notwithstanding, from what you are reporting thus far, I am expecting you will test negative.

Cheers.

[Idontknowanymore]

Thank you very much for the quick and assuring response. I appreciate it. Have a good day!

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome.

[Idontknowanymore]

Sorry to bother again, I just had a quick question.

My boyfriend just got the rapid hiv test done and it came up negative. Is that accurate? I had to wait a week to get my results.

Thanks

[RapidRod]

Rapid Test take 20 minutes or less.

[Idontknowanymore]

but are they accurate?

[RapidRod]

Yes they are very reliable as long as they are done at the correct time. They are FDA approved tests.

[Idontknowanymore]

Thank you!

[Idontknowanymore]

I'm sorry to be back again. As my results appt was rescheduled, I am finding out tomorrow if I have HIV. I was just wondering if there is a chance I could get a false positive. I took the oral HIV test.

[RapidRod]

I'm sorry to be back again. As my results appt was rescheduled, I am finding out tomorrow if I have HIV. I was just wondering if there is a chance I could get a false positive. I took the oral HIV test.

There is no waiting on an Oral swab test those tests are Rapid tests.

[Idontknowanymore]

Yes, but I took it through my university and they require that we come to the counseling center to get the results.

[RapidRod]

What are you talking about?  Rapid tests are done while you wait.

[Idontknowanymore]

I am aware of that; however, the test was not done at a hospital or a setting where they could find out the results right away. It was a free testing in my dorm and I had to schedule an appointment for the results. I'm not trying to argue or debate about when people normally get the results; I simply asked if the oral tests could give false positives as I heard it has been known to do so. Didn't mean to cause a problem.

[RapidRod]

Yes they can find the results in twenty minutes or less. The test show a control line and if negative no other lines and if it's positive is shows two lines one on the C line and one the T line. Those tests don't need to be done in a clinic or hospital because they don't need to be ran on an analyzer. Reason for them being called Rapid Tests.

[Ann]

Idon't,

ANY antibody test, no matter what the method, can sometimes return FALSE positive results. That is why anyone who tests positive is always double-checked with another antibody test and a Western Blot test. You can read about the various tests in our Testing Lesson and the article on testing from the POZ portion of the website.

I understand what you're saying about your college insisting on counseling when giving results - even if the result is negative - as it presents an opportunity to discuss how to remain hiv negative as well as an opportunity to give out "where to go from here" information when the test is positive.

However, it would be far better for them to have the facilities in place to counsel right away when the test is ready. One of the most important reasons rapid tests were developed is because so many people don't bother going back for results. They're defeating the purpose of the rapid test and you might want to point that out to them. Tell 'em I said so.

With everything you've reported, I fully expect you to test negative.

Ann

[Idontknowanymore]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Ann, you were right about them defeating the purpose of rapid testing; I chickened out and rescheduled my results appointment for next week. I don't think I will be able to bring myself to go so I think I will go to a hospital instead and get retested.

Thanks again!

[Ann]

Idon't,

Change your name to Imnotsilly. Seriously. Don't be silly and go get tested again elsewhere - it's a waste of a facility's time and resources. Go pick up what I fully expect to be a negative result from your college and get on with your life. And don't forget to tell them what we discussed about the purpose of rapid testing!


Ann

[Idontknowanymore]

I will do that, Ann. My appointment's Tuesday and my boyfriend will be taking me so I pretty much have no choice to chicken out again. Thanks again for the advice!

[Ann]

Idont,

You're welcome. Make sure you go to that appointment on Tuesday. If you don't, I hope your bf kicks your butt. (not literally, of course!)

Ann