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Am I Safe Yet?
Experts please advise. I had one night stand with a woman I did not really know too good. Since then I got a new girlfriend and I'm scared to give her HIV. I took a 3rd gen test at LabCorp at 6 weeks. It was negative. I took it again at 8 weeks and it was also negative. I don't have much money to get more lab testing so I did 2 oral swab tests from CVS at 10 weeks and 12 weeks. Do I need to do a better blood test or am I ok? Are the oral tests not as good? Did I test too early?
Best Answer
Took an OraQuick Oral Swab Test today, exactly 13 weeks from my exposure. NEGATIVE as you predicted sir.
Thank you James. Again, I appreciate you taking the time. If I do test again, I'll be sure to check in and let you know that you were right.
Well, you can test again if you're feeling anxious. But I guarantee you'll be negative.
It started that way, but then the condom broke. I didn't notice until a couple minutes later. Vaginal intercourse.
Yes. The reason those studies are 92% is because some people used them too early.
Was your sex unprotected?
Was your sex unprotected?
Thank you for your knowledge James. I think I just got scared my oral swab was not as good. I read something like 92% of tests are accurate if HIV positive. 8% seems very high to miss a positive. I think that's only within 3 months. Does that mean at 12 weeks it is 99% like everything else?
No need to apologize. You did not offend me by any means. The window period by the CDC has been 3 months since 2004
Oh James, I apologize. I did not mean to offend. I was just wondering. I've obviously spent too much time on the internet the last few months. Doctor here does not understand HIV at all, so when I asked him he was one of the 6 month people. I've read everywhere this is not accurate. I just can't seem to find a reasoning for different days/windows.
I know you said there was statistically no difference, I just don't know why different sites seem to have different information. It feels misleading.
Thank you Vance. You and James have both given me lots more confidence. Can either of you explain why there is so much different info regarding when to test? I tested at 12 weeks. I keep seeing 90 days, 13 weeks, and even sometimes 6 months. Too much information.
If my new girlfriend tests negative for HIV next week (she said her last unprotected encounter was over a year ago) are we safe from HIV to have unprotected sex?
Wow I obviously did not know that. There is so much information on the internet, it's difficult to know what is correct. So at 12 weeks is the oral swab test just as good even though it is only mouth not blood?
James I thank you for such a fast reply. You seem very confident. I keep seeing 12 weeks... 90 days... 13 weeks... Can you help me understand if there is really a difference? The clinic told me some tests are more accurate like a RNA test but I don't have much money. I just want to be sure I'm safe.
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