please help

[chloektw]

I am worried sick. I had unprotected sex with a man on August 13, 2010. 3 weeks later I got tested for every STD, and was negative for everything including HIV. Then I re-tested for HIV 5 weeks later orally and then  again 4 days later by blood and the tests were negative.  then 9 weeks later which was the first day of my mensural cycle, I developed symptoms they included: running nose, sneezing, swollen right lymp, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, coughing with phlem, and itching and burinig in my genital region.  now 13 weeks later today I woke up this morning and saw a  small red spot on my right temple of my face which looks like a sun burn or irritated skin. could this be the HIV rash?could I be infected?

[LIZZIE LOU]

you can test now for a conclusive result...symptoms dont diagnose hiv

[chloektw]

Correction Lizzie Lou I developed symptoms at 9 weeks after sexual encounter and tested at 5 weeks. but still am anxious as to what this all means

[Teak]

PCR-DNA tests are not diagnostic tests and are not approved for use in early detection of HIV.
P-24 tests are good 1-4 weeks post exposure and must be followed up with an antibody test.
NAT test/ PCR-RNA testing are supplemental test and must be used in conjunction with an antibody test.

3 months is when you will be able to obtain a conclusive negative test result.

[jose883]

Hi, maybe my story can help you a bit. I had unprotected sex almost six months ago. Two weeks afther that, I began to have symptoms (enarged lymph nodes, pain in legs, night sweats, rash, infection in tongue, shaking hands and legs). Not all of them at the same time, but one afther the other (I still have some of them). I have been really worried and anxious. I coulden't sleep, nor work or live. However all my tests have come negative (4th generation elisa at three months and third generation elisa at four and five months, also a cuantitative PCR). I have to confes that I still a little bit worried. However, tests are very precise if done afther three months last exposure. As Lizzie said, is highly unikely that a 9 weeks test result will change at three months. The thing is that anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms (hard to belive but seems to be true). The only way to know if you have HIV or not is by testing, not by symptoms.

[pleth1]

Hi Chloe,

To answer your question quickly stop worrying and take a breather. The test should be done 3 months after possible infection (including unprotected sex), to understand why read on.

HIV infection is defined as the period between exposure to the virus and completion of the initial immune responses which takes 2-3 months (8-12 weeks). During this time the patient is negative for detection (antibodies against HIV protein p24) giving false negatives. This period is sometimes called window period. However if we decide to look for the virus (through PCR - a DNA testing method) one will get a positive result.

The average window period with HIV-1 antibody tests is close to 8 weeks for subtype B. Antigen testing (looking at the HIV proteins that the antibodies are against) cuts the window period to approximately 6 weeks and NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing) further reduces this period to about 4 weeks.  However it is still suggested to a wait a full 3 months to get tested to be absolutely sure.  In fact a retest can be done if one still feels somewhat apprehensive at month 6 after the possible infection.  I hope this helps you out, and next time be careful.

[LIZZIE LOU]

it is HIGHLY unlikely that a test at 9 weeks would change at the 3 month mark.

your "symptoms" are not hiv related...came too late.

[zoom27]

test at 3 months / 12 weeks after exposure to get your conclusive results.

Dnt worry about symptoms , Anxiety can cause lot of things