Experts please comment: Poster on The Body Forum

[stupidmistake50]

I've been told this morning, by a friend on this site, that a user on The Body forum, yesterday posted that he tested negative several times, 2 years post exposure, before finally testing positive.

I'm not able to access that site due to our internet filter, Dans Guardian, banning me access. I don't mean to create mass panic on here, but I am concerned at this news if it is genuine. After an exposure on the 8th of June 2010, I have tested negative at 6,8,9,10,12,13,15,22 weeks and a month ago, eight months post exposure.

However, today I still suffer multiple symptoms, such as neuropathy, sore throat, muscles, joints, night sweats, canker sores, a bruise on my arm that I don't know how it appeared and have had for 9 days, pins and needles and pains in my hands and feet. I became ill 3 weeks after my exposure and that lasted for about four weeks. I then felt good for about a month before becoming ill again. Please answer my concerns and comment on whether you've seen the quoted post.

1. I read that the asymptomatic stage can last between 1 month or ten years. Is this correct, because if so, I believe that I am possibly suffering the secondary stage of symptoms despite my negative results?
2. Are the symptoms above consistent with a possible infection last June? Despite my negative tests for HIV, my tests concluded a viral infection of some description which had caused my liver to become inflamed and my lymphocites were high, three weeks post exposure.

Thank you. I apologise in advance if I appear to have OCD but I would find it easy to move on if I didn't have these symptoms and didn't hear of people testing positive after 12 to 24 months.

[Claire_MHModerator]

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[Teak]

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[Hope242]

I just checked thebody, and found nothing of that sort. I'll tell you in just basic...Primary is when the virus enters your body and you make antibody to the virus. One might get sick for a few weeks and thats all. A few weeks!  Asymptomatic...not even know anthing is going on for an average of 10 or more years, or no signs or symptoms. Your talking about having symptoms that keep going on that have nothing to do with HIV. Symptomatic is after a long 10 or more years, the immune system is weaken and you start seeing sypmtoms. Progression from HIV to AIDS is when you get other infections in addition, anywhere in the body. You don't have HIV. Don't let this info you heard about bother you. Think about how rumors get started!

[ricky_id]

FALSE POSITIVE is possible at a conclusive test result period and the more time you get tested, the more possible you would get a false positive result.

[stupidmistake50]

Thanks for responding. So to confirm, the user on The Body, no-one has reported that his results changed after three months to positive in two years? I don't have access so the site which is why I ask. I am very scepticle about it to be honest.

In my case, I am delighted with my results thus far. I would however like to know, as mentioned in the OP, if the secondary stage of symptoms can appear a month after ARS, or does it take much longer, like several years for them to appear? Thanks.

[Hope242]

diver58 made a great point "nobody reported his result change" ...think about it, you get sick with the flu, you make antibody and start feeling better in a few weeks. Do you really think it could happen, that HIV has been hiding in your body. It doesn't work that way. You don't need to stress about stories you read, especially on the internet. This world if full of stories. You tested well over 3 months, HIV isn't hiding in you body and in 2 year's you'll find out your really positive...not gonna happen that way!

[stupidmistake50]

With respect, I said, " I don't mean to create mass panic on here, but I am concerned at this news if it is genuine".

Therefore, no I don't want people to get more crazy and since so few people have commented on my post, it would appear that it is only yourself who feels that way. I apologise if that is the case. It was not my intention as I have quoted. The point I tried to make is, I don't know if it is correct or genuine. I'm not able to read it so that's why I wanted someone to enlighten me.

[GGG111]

Your doctor and everyone else told you that 3 months are conclusive, so I'm wondering why did you post info that u know are incorrect? Do you want people to get more crazy? I hope admin take care of this thing !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[diver58]

Hi Pal, I don't even have a slightest doubt about your good health. Your eight month test is more than conclusive. Clinics and doctors may be careful in telling you but you should not be put under extreme anxiety, just because of an isolated single and stand alone case. Hundreds of thousand of people get tested every year and nobody reported his results changed from negative, after the 3 month test. Results even change rarely after 6-8 weeks.

[stupidmistake50]

Hi diver.

Thanks for your comments. As I mentioned, it was apparently posted yesterday, the 6th. I would hope that the individual concerned was genuine given the anxiety involved for anyone with a possible infection, such as myself.

I try to reassure myself and believe that my results are conclusive but it's not easy when something like that crops up. Indeed, the biologist who did my eight month post exposure combi test, stopped short of confirming to me that it was conclusive! She would only go as far to say that I "should be ok"! You read and hear all the time that three months is conclusive and then someone who performs the tests says that?! It's a nightmare........

[diver58]

Three month post exposure is the time to get your conclusive result and you don't have to repeat it afterwards. Only for those people, on chemotherapy for instance, time may be more than 3 months, but certainly antibodies are picked up in 6 months after the exposure. I have not seen that post on the Body, however if someone says 2 years, I have doubts.