Aa
I have a question about a High Risk Exposure 7 weeks ago
Hi, I'm very scared and anxiety filled regarding a possible high risk exposure 7 weeks ago. I had what unprotected sex with a prostitute. Early on after the exposure 2 weeks to be exact I started having headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and developed a 2 strange little red bumps on my chest. This totally freaked me out and send me into a panic. I remembered I had unprotected sex and right away thought HIV. Started googling symptoms and became even more anxiety filled. I went to the doc on the 19th day after exposure, got an HIV duo test ag/ab, waited a week and it came back non-reactive. I left it alone and although I didn't think about it too often, the exposure was still on the back of my mind. I even had sex with another person because I believed that I was HIV-. 2 weeks after having sex with this person she became sick with what seemed like a stomach bug, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigued. Right away I assumed I had given her HIV and this was her getting sick from it. This made me stricken with panic, and right away the HIV- that was on my mind was not at the forefront of my mind and all I could think of. She got better about 5 days after her episode and her kids also had what seemed like the same stomach bug. However for me at 6 weeks exactly I woke up in the middle of the night in a major sweat and layed in bed till next morning. Next morning had absolutely no appetite whatsoever, which is rare. Now my mind is really racing thinking this is HIV again and now I'm truly getting sick from HIV. Next at 6 weeks and 1 day from exposure I went to a health clinic and told them about my issues, they conducted an HIV rapid finger prick test and the results were negative. Next day after the test, I noticed what I though was a white tongue, this freaked me out all over again and went back to the doc, they looked at it and told me it was a little thrush and no big deal, they also said to stop worrying I was making myself sick, next day I noticed a not itch rash on my thighs between the fold of my skin where my scrotum meets my thing on both sides. This freaked me out yet again and so I went to my general physician, told them about my risk, they looked at the rash and didn't seem too concerned with it. Prescribed a anti-fungal and nystatin. Next day my glands in my neck started to not feel right, still no real appetite, although when food placed in front of me I could eat. As time passed I became more and more anxiety filled about everything which lasted all night into the morning. Next day glands still not feeling right, I freaked out royally and impulsively went and got an oraquick test and took it in my car, test was negative, thank god. Left it alone and went about my day and into next day. This is Sunday now about 48 days after exposure, my glands were still feeling pretty crappy, I started doing some work around the house, had a little dinner and noticed some pimple like bumbs on my legs. I freaked out and went to the emergency room. Described my symptoms and told them of my exposure. They looked at the rash and were not too concerned with it, they looked at the bumps on my leg and were not concerned. They ordered, standard STD testing including a rapid HIV test with blood taken from a vein. This came back negative once again thank god. I guess after this long winded type up, my question is should I be relieved that all these test were negative? What is the chance that I could be seroconverting now after 6 weeks? when should I get tested again? I'm extremely stressed about all of this and cannot work, I'm isolating, I'm angry, I feel depressed, I feel sad and a whole host of other feelings. Please if anyone can provide some insight I could use the help. I feel like my life is falling apart over this mistake I made
If it was a 4th gen duo test you can put your fears to rest. If the test which you took is an antibody test wait till 3 months to obtain a conclusive result.
9 Comments
Ok thank you, I'm not too sure what type of test it was unfortunately. I just feel so nervous and scared. I feel that my life is on hold and I just wanna cry. I thought that a 48 day test antibody was a good indicator of 12 week result as most people start producing antibodies by now? Guess I was wrong, thanks for taking the time to respond, I feel so alone and it's killing me inside.
You need a conclusive result, not a group of probabilities. So you need to test past the window period that limits the particular test. Either take a duo or wait 3 months. Also read my other recent advice.
Ok thank you for the advice. So your suggestion at this point in the window is to take a ag/ab test and that at this time would be conclusive - or +? Just want to make sure I'm understanding that right.
Yes, we are in agreement that a negative will mean you are safe.
You can ask the doctors what kind of test was used.
Thank you. I looked up my records/results online and I see the type of test that I was given was a HIV 1,2 AG/AB test that came back non reactive. Is this the type of test that you were talking about that can be considered conclusive? Do you think I need to test again? This test was given at 48 days post exposure.
That's a 4th generation test, and it is conclusive. You do not have HIV and you definitely don't need to test again. You can move on from this event.
Thank you, I think I'm ******. I'm going to try and get in touch with the doc but I looked at the comments of the test and the state
" The HIV ag/ab combo test performed screens for HIV-1 p24 antigen, antibodies to HIV-1 (group M and group 0), and antibodies to HIV-2. All specimens repeatedly reactive will relflex to HIV1/2 antibody confirmation and differention test. This assay detects p24 antigen which may be present prior to the development of HIV antibodies, therefore a reactive with a negative HIV 1/2 AB confirmation should be followed up with HIV-1 RNA, HIV-2 RNA and repeat testing in 4-8 weeks. A non reactive result does not prelude previous exposure to or infrection with HIV-1 or HIV-2"
Doctor didnt tell me any of this and not sure why. Could it be that this is just informational or is this specific to my test? I'm so confused and worried. Any insight you can provide will be helpful
" The HIV ag/ab combo test performed screens for HIV-1 p24 antigen, antibodies to HIV-1 (group M and group 0), and antibodies to HIV-2. All specimens repeatedly reactive will relflex to HIV1/2 antibody confirmation and differention test. This assay detects p24 antigen which may be present prior to the development of HIV antibodies, therefore a reactive with a negative HIV 1/2 AB confirmation should be followed up with HIV-1 RNA, HIV-2 RNA and repeat testing in 4-8 weeks. A non reactive result does not prelude previous exposure to or infrection with HIV-1 or HIV-2"
Doctor didnt tell me any of this and not sure why. Could it be that this is just informational or is this specific to my test? I'm so confused and worried. Any insight you can provide will be helpful
The last part means that it can't rule out infection IF you had unprotected sex again and are still inside the window period for that event. Like, if you were testing for an event 3 months ago, but had unprotected sex 15 days ago, you aren't ruled out for the event 15 days ago.
Put it out of your mind. 4th generation tests are extremely sensitive and don't give false negative results. All ag/ab tests are 4th generation. There's nothing more we can say. You DO NOT HAVE HIV.
Put it out of your mind. 4th generation tests are extremely sensitive and don't give false negative results. All ag/ab tests are 4th generation. There's nothing more we can say. You DO NOT HAVE HIV.
1. Anal, vaginal or oral?
2. "Started googling symptoms and became even more anxiety filled. " You need to stop Googling cold turkey because only a test can diagnose, so google can ONLY make people anxious as you have proven.
3. Late seroconversion is an old myth. Again, for your own good, stop Googling.
2. "Started googling symptoms and became even more anxiety filled. " You need to stop Googling cold turkey because only a test can diagnose, so google can ONLY make people anxious as you have proven.
3. Late seroconversion is an old myth. Again, for your own good, stop Googling.
2 Comments
Vaginal sex, and I agree with you about googling. I just cant help it because they symptoms are real and freaking me out. I know I have to wait 3 months for a conclusive test, but should I find any comfort in the 49 day rapid test?
A duo has a 4 week window so take that. Any test taken early can't prove anything.
Symptoms aren't real unless you have been diagnosed, so you are making things hard on yourself by imagining otherwise.
Contrary to your claim, you can easily "help it" by not looking.
Symptoms aren't real unless you have been diagnosed, so you are making things hard on yourself by imagining otherwise.
Contrary to your claim, you can easily "help it" by not looking.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
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.
