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Author Topic: should I take an actual HIV test?  (Read 2068 times)

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Offline slytyp

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should I take an actual HIV test?
« on: December 14, 2014, 04:42:45 pm »
Hey guys,

So my story goes that I had two high risk exposures two years respective one year ago, meaning I had unprotected intercourse with someone of who (back then) I didn't know their status.
I didn't think much of the first exposure until I stumbled across an HIV ad somewhere which made me worried since I caught the worst flu ever during that time. I contacted that person and he said that he tested negative 6 months after that exposure.
The other time was last year when I had another unprotected intercourse with another guy who I lost contact with. Yes, I know I'm pretty stupid to have not thought of protecting ourselves and not having the courage to test myself afterwards, I've definitely learned my lesson.
Anyway, fast forward to a year after the last exposure. I went to the doctor (not an HIV-specialist) and told him about my exposure and my flu that I experienced. I did not explicitly tell him that I was worried about contracting HIV (maybe he got the hint?) but just an STD of sorts in general, that's because I was afraid of being judged.
He said that there's nothing to worry about and wanted to send me home but I insisted on making him send me to take some blood test to calm my mind. So he did and I took it, the results that came back were normal according to him. They took two vials of blood and did an immunology and hematology test, I could probably name the names of the tests they took but among them were antibodies and white blood cells count and they turned out to be normal.

My question is, am I clear of HIV or do I owe it to myself to take a specific HIV test?
« Last Edit: December 14, 2014, 04:45:09 pm by slytyp »
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: should I take an actual HIV test?
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2014, 04:49:21 pm »
You cannot be sure of your HIV negative status until you take an HIV-specific test. Having generic blood tests will not give you that answer.

Since you are well past the risk period for those incidents you can test anytime now and get an accurate result.

Good luck with your test.
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Andy Velez

Offline slytyp

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Re: should I take an actual HIV test?
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2014, 04:57:23 pm »
thanks for the rapid answer. I'm plan on taking one tomorrow, which I'm really nervous about. just for the sake of education, what does an HIV-specific test measure that a blood test would not reveal?
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Offline Jeff G

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  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: should I take an actual HIV test?
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2014, 04:59:16 pm »
Quote from: slytyp on December 14, 2014, 04:57:23 pm
thanks for the rapid answer. I'm plan on taking one tomorrow, which I'm really nervous about. just for the sake of education, what does an HIV-specific test measure that a blood test would not reveal?

It looks for antibodies or strands of DNA … according to which test you use . You can read about HIV testing here … http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HIVtests_5029.shtml
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HIV 101 - Basics
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You can read more about Testing here:
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HIV TasP
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HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline slytyp

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Re: should I take an actual HIV test?
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2014, 05:04:38 pm »
alright, I'll read that and facts about HIV in general tonight to try and calm my nerves. thanks a bunch!
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