Aa
5.5 week negative but convinced im positive
Hello,
7.5 weeks ago I engaged in a high risk activity which I am now convinced has resulted in me contracting HIV.
While on holiday in Thailand I was very drunk and had sex with a thai girl (who may or may not have been in the "trade" but am worried about it as the next morning I had no money on me, something I am sure I had plenty of the night before). From what I remember of the incident I used a condom (although can't be sure it didnt break as it was never checked after) and have flashbacks of performing brief oral sex something I am completely horrified at and am most worried about despite many people on this forum and others stating that it is a very low risk activity. The reason for my worry is that I can remember having a sore throat the next day due to have been loudly singing and shouting the night before, meaning it would have been damaged not long before the incident I am worried about.
I am extremely worried as my body and mind is all over the place and I must now wait another 5 weeks to test again for what I am sure will be a positive result. The reason for my worry is that I can't explain the occurence of symptoms and effects that seemed to have come over me since the event. 5 days after exposure while still on holiday I suffered sickness almost instantly after eating a meal. The sickness included 2 bouts of vomitting and also expereincing a brief episode of chills. Both were gone by the next morning. Two days later (1 week after exposure) I experienced a sore tongue which hurt when eating and seemed very dry. The next day this had gone but my tongue was coated and i was extremely thirsty. For the next few weeks I had coated tongue, pale stool for a few days, nausea, runny/blocked nose and ears and a migraine for one day( which I am prone to and cleared up in a few hours). All of these were within a 1-4 week period of the event but did not all occur at once some followed days after the others. Since these intial symptoms have gone I now only experience a lack of appetite and a complete inability to sleep. Every night I wake up at around 2-3am and can not get back to sleep, sometimes my heart racing when I try to nap I get a horroble feeling in my stomach that just makes me more alert. I also have lost some weight around my legs. Despite my best efforts I cant stop thinking about why or how I ended up in the situation I did and when this happens I lose all concentration and become what I can only describe as depressed and unable to cope
Despite all this I took a blood test and full STD panel at 5.5 weeks ALL of which came back negative 10 days later, the test was in the UK but I was not told which test it was although from what I can find about the test centre online it seems to have been a DUO test but I am really not sure. I am also worried that the test may not be appropriate for testing the strain of virus I would have been exposed to, CRF A/E which is the most common in Thailand.
Is there any reassurance that can be given to me? I am beyond convinced that I will test positive over a stupid stupid mistake
7.5 weeks ago I engaged in a high risk activity which I am now convinced has resulted in me contracting HIV.
While on holiday in Thailand I was very drunk and had sex with a thai girl (who may or may not have been in the "trade" but am worried about it as the next morning I had no money on me, something I am sure I had plenty of the night before). From what I remember of the incident I used a condom (although can't be sure it didnt break as it was never checked after) and have flashbacks of performing brief oral sex something I am completely horrified at and am most worried about despite many people on this forum and others stating that it is a very low risk activity. The reason for my worry is that I can remember having a sore throat the next day due to have been loudly singing and shouting the night before, meaning it would have been damaged not long before the incident I am worried about.
I am extremely worried as my body and mind is all over the place and I must now wait another 5 weeks to test again for what I am sure will be a positive result. The reason for my worry is that I can't explain the occurence of symptoms and effects that seemed to have come over me since the event. 5 days after exposure while still on holiday I suffered sickness almost instantly after eating a meal. The sickness included 2 bouts of vomitting and also expereincing a brief episode of chills. Both were gone by the next morning. Two days later (1 week after exposure) I experienced a sore tongue which hurt when eating and seemed very dry. The next day this had gone but my tongue was coated and i was extremely thirsty. For the next few weeks I had coated tongue, pale stool for a few days, nausea, runny/blocked nose and ears and a migraine for one day( which I am prone to and cleared up in a few hours). All of these were within a 1-4 week period of the event but did not all occur at once some followed days after the others. Since these intial symptoms have gone I now only experience a lack of appetite and a complete inability to sleep. Every night I wake up at around 2-3am and can not get back to sleep, sometimes my heart racing when I try to nap I get a horroble feeling in my stomach that just makes me more alert. I also have lost some weight around my legs. Despite my best efforts I cant stop thinking about why or how I ended up in the situation I did and when this happens I lose all concentration and become what I can only describe as depressed and unable to cope
Despite all this I took a blood test and full STD panel at 5.5 weeks ALL of which came back negative 10 days later, the test was in the UK but I was not told which test it was although from what I can find about the test centre online it seems to have been a DUO test but I am really not sure. I am also worried that the test may not be appropriate for testing the strain of virus I would have been exposed to, CRF A/E which is the most common in Thailand.
Is there any reassurance that can be given to me? I am beyond convinced that I will test positive over a stupid stupid mistake
Understood but it doesn't disprove the theory that the window period may not be quite as clear cut for all subtypes as previously thought.
You were in the living with hiv community forum.
You neglected this part of teams post
"If you have questions regarding your risk for HIV, please visit our HIV Prevention Community "
You have tested negative using an excellent test when it was designed to be used for a definitive result, and tested later at a more older window period.
Enough with the worries and get on with your life. Your test results trump the symptoms- which could easily be from your obvious stress and anxiety.
You neglected this part of teams post
"If you have questions regarding your risk for HIV, please visit our HIV Prevention Community "
You have tested negative using an excellent test when it was designed to be used for a definitive result, and tested later at a more older window period.
Enough with the worries and get on with your life. Your test results trump the symptoms- which could easily be from your obvious stress and anxiety.
Hello. So I am back to let you know I took my 3 month test a couple weeks back and all was clear again.
However, unlike most other poster my symptoms have not disappeared with this news and are still just as bad. I am completely unable to get a night sleep I go to bed at 10/11 and wake up routinely at between 2 and 3 and just cannot go back to sleep. I am also experiencing several aches and pains particularly in my neck and stomach. Couple that with infrequent nausea, vomiting and strange bowel movements and I feel I'm living a nightmare.
I appreciate nursegirl saying that you can find anything on the Internet about tests missing subtypes but there is one on this very site.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV--Living-With/HIV-positive--just-got-my-results/show/2153760
I find this post particularly strange as Teak very suddenly changes stance on this issue claiming that users should take advice on this site with caution. Even still I asked the dr at the testing clinic if there is any chance a strain could be missed and I was not given an answer other than it is so unlikely I should move on. She is putting everything down to anxiety but the way my symptoms have varied over time and in severity absolutely do not reassure me this is the cause
However, unlike most other poster my symptoms have not disappeared with this news and are still just as bad. I am completely unable to get a night sleep I go to bed at 10/11 and wake up routinely at between 2 and 3 and just cannot go back to sleep. I am also experiencing several aches and pains particularly in my neck and stomach. Couple that with infrequent nausea, vomiting and strange bowel movements and I feel I'm living a nightmare.
I appreciate nursegirl saying that you can find anything on the Internet about tests missing subtypes but there is one on this very site.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV--Living-With/HIV-positive--just-got-my-results/show/2153760
I find this post particularly strange as Teak very suddenly changes stance on this issue claiming that users should take advice on this site with caution. Even still I asked the dr at the testing clinic if there is any chance a strain could be missed and I was not given an answer other than it is so unlikely I should move on. She is putting everything down to anxiety but the way my symptoms have varied over time and in severity absolutely do not reassure me this is the cause
Hello. So I am back to let you know I took my 3 month test a couple weeks back and all was clear again.
However, unlike most other poster my symptoms have not disappeared with this news and are still just as bad. I am completely unable to get a night sleep I go to bed at 10/11 and wake up routinely at between 2 and 3 and just cannot go back to sleep. I am also experiencing several aches and pains particularly in my neck and stomach. Couple that with infrequent nausea, vomiting and strange bowel movements and I feel I'm living a nightmare.
I appreciate nursegirl saying that you can find anything on the Internet about tests missing subtypes but there is one on this very site.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV--Living-With/HIV-positive--just-got-my-results/show/2153760
I find this post particularly strange as Teak very suddenly changes stance on this issue claiming that users should take advice on this site with caution. Even still I asked the dr at the testing clinic if there is any chance a strain could be missed and I was not given an answer other than it is so unlikely I should move on. She is putting everything down to anxiety but the way my symptoms have varied over time and in severity absolutely do not reassure me this is the cause
However, unlike most other poster my symptoms have not disappeared with this news and are still just as bad. I am completely unable to get a night sleep I go to bed at 10/11 and wake up routinely at between 2 and 3 and just cannot go back to sleep. I am also experiencing several aches and pains particularly in my neck and stomach. Couple that with infrequent nausea, vomiting and strange bowel movements and I feel I'm living a nightmare.
I appreciate nursegirl saying that you can find anything on the Internet about tests missing subtypes but there is one on this very site.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV--Living-With/HIV-positive--just-got-my-results/show/2153760
I find this post particularly strange as Teak very suddenly changes stance on this issue claiming that users should take advice on this site with caution. Even still I asked the dr at the testing clinic if there is any chance a strain could be missed and I was not given an answer other than it is so unlikely I should move on. She is putting everything down to anxiety but the way my symptoms have varied over time and in severity absolutely do not reassure me this is the cause
You can find all kinds of stories on the internet, doesn't make them true. You're trying to pick tall tales you're finding to read about to believe over science and facts. That's up to you, but there's really no sense in us continuing to discuss it. You're thread is at 23 replies (24 with this one), there's nothing we can say that we've already said. Time to move on.
Thanks all for your words of encouragement but really there is no explanation other than infection.
I have read a study on chronic insomnia (something I have as have not had a full night sleep in a month now) and it states new infection is a related cause of this.
I also read of an individual who tested twice with duo tests after similar exposure to me and was seemed negative before a test at over 4 months showed him as positive.
I would love to trust my test result but I just can't
I have read a study on chronic insomnia (something I have as have not had a full night sleep in a month now) and it states new infection is a related cause of this.
I also read of an individual who tested twice with duo tests after similar exposure to me and was seemed negative before a test at over 4 months showed him as positive.
I would love to trust my test result but I just can't
You are not going to be the exception to the rule, you are simply not going to be.
Your symptoms mean nothing in the slightest.
Move on and forget about HIV, it really is not a concern for you from what you have described.
Your symptoms mean nothing in the slightest.
Move on and forget about HIV, it really is not a concern for you from what you have described.
My apologies. I was simply trying to understand the process. The more I think of the incident the more I'm sure the condom did not break and am actually quite confident in that as it has never happened to me before.
However, when I think of the oral I get a horrible sickness feeling in my stomach I suppose much like when you eat something funny and thinking of it makes you unwell. Hardly an exact science but it's one of those gut instinct feelings I can't ignore. That coupled with my first symptom being a sore tongue follows by coating I really can't ignore the coincidences. I know oral is deemed NO Risk on this forum but te fact I would has had an inflamed throat at the time I really feel I am going to e te exception to the rule
However, when I think of the oral I get a horrible sickness feeling in my stomach I suppose much like when you eat something funny and thinking of it makes you unwell. Hardly an exact science but it's one of those gut instinct feelings I can't ignore. That coupled with my first symptom being a sore tongue follows by coating I really can't ignore the coincidences. I know oral is deemed NO Risk on this forum but te fact I would has had an inflamed throat at the time I really feel I am going to e te exception to the rule
You don't HAVE a concern. You don't understand HIV testing. The modern tests are very sensitive, they have reduced the window period from exposure to diagnosis SIGNIFICANTLY.
You probably didn't have a risk to begin with. Get yourself some help for the anxiety....THAT'S what you should be addressing, not HIV.
Kindly move along, there is really nothing more we can say.
You probably didn't have a risk to begin with. Get yourself some help for the anxiety....THAT'S what you should be addressing, not HIV.
Kindly move along, there is really nothing more we can say.
So that is my concern. At time of test there is a chance that I would have had insufficient quantities of both
At 28 days the antigen production drops and the antibody production starts to ramp up. So while the antigen part would be no good the antibody part would be good.
Understand but if taken after 28 days does that reduce the accuracy of the test? I'm just confused by the antigen and antibody relationship
3 months is still the set standard for an antibody test by the CDC, but they have recently made the recommendation that a DUO at 4 weeks can be taken as conclusive, but if the patient or Dr has concerns then they can test further.
Thanks James.
As a point why is there conflicting data between test times? I have be told to return at 3 months but if 28 is conclusive why would this be the case?
As a point why is there conflicting data between test times? I have be told to return at 3 months but if 28 is conclusive why would this be the case?
One of what few? They don't exist... Any time after 28 days is Conclusuive.
Just because you have a headache dies not mean you have a brain tumor, - what I am getting at is that your symptoms are irrelevant!
You really are HIV Negative!
Best Wishes
Just because you have a headache dies not mean you have a brain tumor, - what I am getting at is that your symptoms are irrelevant!
You really are HIV Negative!
Best Wishes
Hi again.
So u called the clinic and the girl on the phone (non medical) said that she is pretty sure it's a 4th generation test that is used for testing.
So I should be more calm but I experienced bad nausea today out of nowhere which resulted in some sickness. I can't help but think that I am one of the rare few to have been missed by the test. From what I understand p24 antigens are formed first and then antibodies so does this mean there is a period in between when the p24 disappears and the antibodies may still be forming?
So u called the clinic and the girl on the phone (non medical) said that she is pretty sure it's a 4th generation test that is used for testing.
So I should be more calm but I experienced bad nausea today out of nowhere which resulted in some sickness. I can't help but think that I am one of the rare few to have been missed by the test. From what I understand p24 antigens are formed first and then antibodies so does this mean there is a period in between when the p24 disappears and the antibodies may still be forming?
Thank you so much for re-assuring. But as always this anxiety comes back and go. And all the bad thoughts and what if's are ruining my mind.
Hi there.
Your result is beyond conclslusuve :)
All modern tests pick up 1&2, your test result is definitely Negative and you did not have a risk for HIV in the first place :)
Best Wishes
James
Your result is beyond conclslusuve :)
All modern tests pick up 1&2, your test result is definitely Negative and you did not have a risk for HIV in the first place :)
Best Wishes
James
Hi there,
I saw you are answering so many HIV questions. Can I ask you something? Is Rapid Test accurate after 11 months of possible exposure. My result is non-reactive. Anxiety comes back and go.
My exposure was vaginal sex with condom (I am female) not sure of leakage or condom broke or anything.
Are All Rapid tests screens for HIV 1 and 2? even in my country (philippines).
Thanks and Regards,
I saw you are answering so many HIV questions. Can I ask you something? Is Rapid Test accurate after 11 months of possible exposure. My result is non-reactive. Anxiety comes back and go.
My exposure was vaginal sex with condom (I am female) not sure of leakage or condom broke or anything.
Are All Rapid tests screens for HIV 1 and 2? even in my country (philippines).
Thanks and Regards,
Morning.
No it can't, it is stress abs anxiety.
Call the clinic to check, it will most probably be a 4 th gen test in which case it is conclusive.
Best Wishes
James
No it can't, it is stress abs anxiety.
Call the clinic to check, it will most probably be a 4 th gen test in which case it is conclusive.
Best Wishes
James
I thank you all for your reassurance but I just can't shake the feeling. Your responses calmed me down greatly yesterday but yet again I have woken up in the middle of the night unable to return to sleep. There was no sweating or heart racing I simply just woke up. My question is can this be caused by HIV infection?
the 5 1/2 week is conclusive if it was a 4th gen duo like i expect it would be in the uk. even a 3rd gen would be >99%. i think you are in good shape here. the predominant strain in Thailand would be picked up 100% - it's not a rare strain. i've been in the same boat as you...alcohol warps ones sense of reality - you would not have slept with this girl if you hadn't had a few drinks - so remember that for the future.
for the record, it sounds like you experienced food poisoning for the illness you describe and the sleep disturbances sound like panic attacks, which are understandable given the stress you are going through. nonetheless, your risk was nil, due to the condom and the oral sex is also not a concern.
no need to worry about this anymore, just remember it as a learning experience.
for the record, it sounds like you experienced food poisoning for the illness you describe and the sleep disturbances sound like panic attacks, which are understandable given the stress you are going through. nonetheless, your risk was nil, due to the condom and the oral sex is also not a concern.
no need to worry about this anymore, just remember it as a learning experience.
Hi there.
Give the test centre a call to confirm it was a duo, which it most probably was, if it was, the result is conclusive.
Your symptoms are not relevant to HIV, I for one think you are fine .
Best Wishes
James
Give the test centre a call to confirm it was a duo, which it most probably was, if it was, the result is conclusive.
Your symptoms are not relevant to HIV, I for one think you are fine .
Best Wishes
James
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