Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

99.99% sure I got HIV

I am a 20 year old white female living in an area with little HIV. I have always had horrible luck unfortunately. Towards the end of February I started dating a guy. He was 21 white and no one I would have ever thought of as high risk. In March, we began to sleep together. We used a condom every single time we had vaginal sex, except in mid-March, we stupidly had anal sex twice without a condom.

I repeat we used protection every time except that those 2 times. And we only did anal those 2 times. Later on I came to find out that he had lied about his sexual behaviors. He claimed in the beginning that he had only slept with one girl in fact it was 4-6.

The last time we had any relations was April 26. It was vaginal sex and again we used a condom. On May 10, I became horribly ill. I had the worst headaches I have ever had for an entire week, lymph nodes in my neck and armpit were swollen, I recently got a minor red rash, and my right arm has an everlasting pins and needles feeling to it.

I became worried about HIV. I took an OraQuick HIV home test on May 26. It was negative. I went to my gyno and asked him to run an HIV test on May 29. The blood vial was sent to the lab and I got my results-negative.

From what I understand, ARS typically happens 2 weeks post exposure. My riskiest encounters were beyond that, but my protected vaginal sex was exactly 2 weeks before the symptoms.

My unprotected sexual encounters obviously have yielded negative results at this point. Do I consider my protected vaginal sex on April 26 my window? These symptoms are not typical at all for me. I have never had anything like this before. I am beyond certain that something is incredibly wrong.

Please someone out there take the time to advise me. I would really appreciate it.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I took a Home Access HIV blood test on June 9. I just got my results, and I'm happy to report that I'm HIV - :) thank you all so much.

Lots of lovexx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You're chance of getting HIV is near to zero,, get tested at 15 day mark by HIV PCR RNA test, or by p24 antigen + antibody duo combo test at 28 day mark, either of the two results will be conclusive.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks all you guys. I have been pleading with my ex to go get tested because that would give me a conclusive result as to what the risk level is. He might give in or might not. Obviously if I would have been infected by anyone it would be him. I had a negative HIV test before we started a relationship, and have only slept with him after that test. Stay tuned.
Helpful - 0
366749 tn?1544695265
COMMUNITY LEADER
As you were advised already, you have all the reasons to relax and calm down. Your 8+ weeks test is highly reassuring and will not turn otherwise, in the weeks to come.

Only to rule out and to lay all your worries to rest permanently, you may repeat HIV Duo (Ag+Ab) 4th generation test which is conclusive anytime after 28 days of the exposure.

We are confident and sure that you are fine, suggesting the test only for your own peace of mind.

Lesson learned, NEVER EVER unprotected with anyone, outside your mutually committed monogamous long term relationship
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for taking the time to write back to me. I have just been fearful since an episode like this has never happened. I am planning on using a home access HIV test which tests for antibodies to give me a better picture.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can relax. Your negative home HIV test a month after your last sexual exposure is very reassuring. You are correct that timing of symptoms is consistent with ARS (although I stress "consistent":  symptoms usually start before 10 days). Anyway, it is extremely to have a negative HIV antibody test when symptoms have been present for 2 weeks. Not impossible, but very unlikely.

I'll also add that if your partner was strictly heterosexual and not an injection drug user, the chance he had HIV was under 1 chance in a thousand -- even with several previous female partners. (I would say the same if he'd had 100 or more partners.) HIV remains rare in circumstances like yours, despite what you might assume from the media and some online sources.

The bottom line, however, is that lab test overrules both symptoms and exposure history.

Since more than a month has passed, you can have 100% definitive testing whenever you want it. Find a doctor or clinic that does the 4th generation or "combo" test, i.e. test for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. That test is conclusive any time 4+ weeks after the last possible exposure. I'm confident it will be negative.

I hope this has helped calm your nerves. Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.