testing

[english]

Guys, reading through previous forums noticed a piece on Freedom health (based in london) these guys did a duo test on me (p24 and antibody) 10 weeks post exposure.  I was told definitive. (i have also had 7.5 week duo test at GUM and full all clear std screen)
Having read through a previous forum I saw these guys discredited with 'they should be reported!'  - this realted to the 28 day testing period.
My concern is that I guess I thought these guys a very reputable/reliable practice ( i understood they operate as GP's and under strict medical guidelines?) - I guess it just makes me doubt my test result.
My exposure - brief oral performed on me by a woman just met. I know you guys say no risk but some 'help' lines in uk recommend 12 week test for this!  I am married and scared shitless that I have infected my wife - she got a rash about 3 weeks ago (very itchy and raised on neck) and has a persistent cough and some bad asthma recently. I have just started to feel sore throat and rash on foot
Its our wedding anniversary today so guess just looking for some reassurance - 11years faithful - torn apart by a 1 min crap drunken BJ (pulled away before 'completion'!)  A friend told me I was absolutely nuts about all this testing, but just the thought of infecting my wife breaks me.....

[Andy Velez]

English, no matter what your mind is telling you otherwise you were not at risk for HIV in getting a blowjob. Risk was zilch, nada, none. No kidding.

In the entire history of the epidemic there has never been a documented case of transmission in this manner and you aren't going to make history by becoming the first.

Just so you know, the average time to seroconversion when there has been a REAL risk, is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus. So if you had a risk, which you didn't, a negative at 7 weeks is more than just encouraging. Ordinarily I always suggest re-testing at 13 weeks when there has been a risk, but in your case I wouldn't have thought testing to be necessary at all.

So what's we're really talking about here is guilt and remorse. You did a dumb and behaved like the rest of us dogs. You can't undo that. You need to take a breath and let it go. That's the most loving thing you can do for yourself and for your wife. Give yourself a break and have a happy anniversary evening. No kidding.

Cheers,

[english]

Thanks for your prompt reply - it really is appreciated - you guys must have so much patience with these endless BJ questions! Its just a nightmare when there is so much conflicting advice out there - I rang our std helpline twice after the event and told first call yes a significant risk and test  - then second call 'as long as no sores or blood then no need to test?! (it was dark so not sure?)
You are right I am consumed with guilt, and that is probably the issue here.
I had the 10 week test last week (done at the private clinic) and I guess was  nervous when read about these guys in a previous forum...did they do the test right?, did they use correct/clean equipment? - I know they are an hiv specialist clinic, and again I am fueling the 'what ifs!

I will give my wife a lovely evening - and thanks again for your information on this site and your compassion.

[Andy Velez]

I have no idea what you are referring to in "previous forums." I do know what I have told you is the right stuff. No kidding.

Happy Anniversary!

[english]

Thanks for your help on this.  I understand what youre saying and was pretty cool with getting a 12 week test this friday (just to close the deal!)  woke up this morning with a monster of a sore throat/fever - a little runny nose - I guess this is just a cold (runny nose not ars I hear?)

a second quick question is if a guy is super contagious during the window period would this not be detected in the p24 or antibody tests?

I am listening to you I guess the sore throat etc just freaked me out!

[Andy Velez]

1. Between here and the grave, hopefully decades far in the future you may from time to time wake up with a sore throat, a cold, various aches and pains, etc. That happens.

2. You have reliably tested negative for HIV. You ARE HIV negative. Period. End of story.

3. If someone has a high viral load it would show up in the p24 or result in a positive antibody test, although at this moment I don't see how that is relevant to your situation. But that's ok. I don't need to know.

Cheers,   

[english]

cheers for the response...it helped!
My doc sames the same - feels the 10 week p24/antibody is conclusive.

A stinking sore throat - alone in Paris (new job here) and throughly head screwed from this. Going back to the UK to get the final piece of evidence tomorrow night (the 12 week test).

Its amazing how guilt can manifest itself!

I too doubt that even I could be unlucky enough to test pos now!

Cheers again

[english]

Hi there.  Please dont think I'm mad (although I think I am probably heading that way!)... had a negative 12 week test as predicted, but 3 weeks after this test I have come down with sickness and severe fever, sweats, aches etc.  came on yesterday, sickness gone and fever slightly improved.
I'm pretty convinced I am indeed not infected - however the only way if I was, if it came from the test 3 weeks ago.
I am rarely sick - and certainly not like the last 24 hours.
Should I trust the private clinic I was tested in - all sorts of things have crossed my mind, did they really test, was i infected there... and so on. 
I guess the fact I am improved today would suggest I am being ridiculous as wouldnt ars last over a week?
I want to put this behind me and trust the clinic - but this weirdness with my body doesnt help!
Thanks for your understanding

[Ann]

English,

You have reliably tested negative for hiv. You didn't have a risk of infection in the first place. Getting a blowjob is not a risk. Not one person has ever become infected this way and you will not be the first.

If you cannot accept your negative status, it might be time for you to get some face-to-face help and support with your hiv anxiety through a counselor or therapist. We cannot do that for you here.

Ann

[english]

Apologies, I think you mis understood my issue.  My initial concern was the credibility of the testing site due to a previous thread here - where the private clinic I was tested at was heavily criticised.

I was tested at 12 weeks by this clinic -  3 weeks post 12 week test I had sickness and fever for 24 hours.  I just wanted a view as to whether this was too short a duration for ars i.e. whether I got infected there, whether there are strict procedures in place for testing sites (even if private)(the dr didnt wear gloves, which I thought a little odd)

Yep I am paranoid, probably being very unfair to the clinic, and I do want to trust my results at this clinic - but in my delicate 'state' wasnt helped by comments in a previous thread!

I am planning for a re-test at good old nhs this friday - I was just looking for a bit of advice in the meantime.

I wont write in again (I dont have ocd just yet!) thanks for the help you have provided, and good luck for the future.

[Ann]

English,

Do you honestly think a private clinic would put their license (all all the money they rake in) in jeopardy by not following proper needle related procedures?

You are hiv negative and you do not need further testing. Whatever illness you experienced after your test had nothing to do with hiv.

Ann