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Sad and Alone
I have scrolled through your forums for the last three months filled with worry. I am a female. I had protected sex with a male, who I now question his sexuality, approximately ten times. Unprotected oral three times. He is a white male, non drug user who claims to be clean, but doesn't have papers to prove it and refuses to get re-tested. We faced several issues with the condoms slipping because he could not keep an erection. We also had one instance of unprotected for approximately five minutes w/no ejaculation, but then he placed a condom on because I was unwilling. At 6-8 weeks, more like 8, I had an Oraquick Advance Rapid blood from vein, which was non reactice at the clinic. My tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea were negative. At this point, I had one swollen occipital node grape size on the back of my neck. I put it off as a scalp infection and moved on with my fiance who I had been with for six years previously. I started to notice more lymph nodes popping up in the neck, approximately 6 or 7, with the occipital still swollen (it has been over 3 months) so I began to panic and went out and purchased the Oraquick oral at home test 14 weeks post exposure, negative. I still have the swollen nodes and have just found out I am pregnant by my fiance. I have had no apetite for months, tingling sensations all over, and my neck hurts. No cough, sore throat, or any other reason to have swollen nodes all over the neck. I am considering abortion because I am so terrified of an hiv diagnosis. Do you think I need to go get tested at a clinic based on the nodes ( they are all swollen to peanut size and larger.) ? I am terrified and I am also terrified to have sex with him anymore. Iread that the Oraquick has a false negative rate of 8.3 percent in positive individuals, should this concern me? I am on the verge of a breakdown. Please help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm sorry, but of course I have no way of knowing your doctor's office policy on who gives test results, timing, or the other things you have asked about. However, I see no reason you should not rely on what you were told by whoever gave you the results by telephone. If you remain uncertain, you'll have to contact them directly -- or just sit tight and discuss it in person at your next prenatal visit.
That will end this thread. Do your best to stop worrying about all this.
That will end this thread. Do your best to stop worrying about all this.
Dr. Handsfield, one final question. I took panel 083824 hiv test on 09/10/13 at around 11:00AM. I didn't ask the doctors office about how long results would take, so I called the office on 09/13/13 to ask (less than 72 hours later) and she checked and said all of the results they received so far were normal. It was the receptionist and I said so does that include my HIV, HepB, and she said yes they are normal. Would a receptionist have this information? Also, would the test results even be available that quickly or do you think this was likely protocol to get a client off the line without inducing worry? Its been two weeks tomorrow and still no call, so I called today and they said, the doctor has to sign off on a of the results, but I didnt ask which tests specifically. Would a doctor call me if something was wrong by now or would they tell only in person? This was done at my first prenatal appt with my OB/GYN.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Of course those were exactly the expected results, but congratulations. Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.
Hi Dr. Handsfield, I just wanted to inform you that I had another test on 09/10/2013 and called the doctor's office this morning to see how long results would take and they said HIV, Hep B, drug test were all negative. I called twice to make sure! I am very grateful to you for all that you do in your work. To take the time out and to help others the way you do is fascinating. You were definitely meant to be a doctor and you are also a real life "LIFE SAVER". I am keeping my child and I am so helpful that you are your advice helped me through. Thank you for everything you do, doctor. God Bless you.
Thank you for responding to me. I am trying not to overthink it, but it is truly difficult when i see HIV everywhere I look. I cringe at the sound of the word. I am literally sitting here in a puddle of tears. I'm terrified to even go to the doctor. I had also seen where Teak responded to an indivifual that he has seen a test turn positive after the 8 weeks, then i worry about the reliability of the at-home test. I know this is getting bad. I also know they say don't check the nodes yourself, but doc I am realistic and realize something is not right with them. You don't know how much I appreciate you responding when I know you didn't have to. Thank you for the comfort and reassurance.I hope you're right. Doc, if you pray, please send one up for me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are overthinking all this. Please re-read all my replies above, and read (or re-read) the thread in the link I provided. And no, I have never seen (or heard of) anybody in whom HIV tests took longer than 3 months to become positive.
Self assessment of inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes by non health professionals is notoriously unreliable. But with that suspicion plus weight loss, you need to see a physician in person. There are many potential causes other than HIV, and you can be that will not turn out to be the cause.
Self assessment of inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes by non health professionals is notoriously unreliable. But with that suspicion plus weight loss, you need to see a physician in person. There are many potential causes other than HIV, and you can be that will not turn out to be the cause.
Doctor, when I think back, I can only guarantee that the test was a little more than six weeks for the blood rapid test. You said that is 'almost' always good enough. Do you see it take longer in some individuals? Also, you said the oral home test is 'generally' good enough at 12 weeks? Explain generally please. I woke up with more swollen nodes down the back of my neck and have now noticed my left supraclavicular feels the size of a peanut m&m. Needless to say, I am very worried because the nodes do point to HIV infection from what I have read online. I can feel at least 7 nodes total on both sides of the neck, all appear to be greater than 1cm.I am so scared doctor. I have also been losing weight as well and I am only 125 to begin with.. I am very concerned that the hiv test was incorrect. Please advise me on what to do here.
Thank you for being very kind and helpful, Doctor. I appreciate you. So you feel confident that I no longer need testing? Have a blessed day!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to have helped.
The home self test sensitivity isn't all that low. There are conflicting data, but in general false negative results don't occur beyong 12 weeks or so.
I missed your initial mention of pregnancy and that you were considering terminating it. Even if you had turned out to have HIV, any and all experts would have advised you to carry a (desired) pregnancy to term. Preventing HIV transmission to newborns is highly effective -- nobody with access to modern health care should ever abort a desired pregnancy because of HIV.
The home self test sensitivity isn't all that low. There are conflicting data, but in general false negative results don't occur beyong 12 weeks or so.
I missed your initial mention of pregnancy and that you were considering terminating it. Even if you had turned out to have HIV, any and all experts would have advised you to carry a (desired) pregnancy to term. Preventing HIV transmission to newborns is highly effective -- nobody with access to modern health care should ever abort a desired pregnancy because of HIV.
Thank you for responding so quickly. You may not even realize what you have done, but you have likely saved a childs life as I was schedules for an abortion very soon as I could not bare the thought of putting a child at risk. I pray that your opinion is correct and I have nothing to worry about. I have done nothing but worry myself sick. This has by far been the biggest mistake of my life. Have you studied much on the Oraquick home tests? Why is the sensitivity so low?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I saw this before I replied above. It doesn't change my opinion or advice. The home self test is conclusive -- and as long a a control line appeared, you can be sure you collected sufficient oral fluid for a definitive result.
Also, I would like to know if the amount of oral fluid makes a difference with Oraquick because my mouth was fairly dry and I swabbed the upper and lower exactly once, no more. The control line did appear. Also, since the test was performed at home, is it not conclusive? I am honestly concerned I may be in the three percent that takes longer. I suffer from eczema, abnormal paps, and allergies to almost everything.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
The news is good: for sure you do not have HIV. You are very concerned by the sexual exposures and your symptoms, but those are exactly the wrong things to focus on. The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition -- and test results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. Your negative rapid blood test at 8 weeks was definitive and proved 100% you are not infected. Although formal advice from test manufacturers and public health agencies indicate 3 months for definitive results, 6-8 week in fact is almost always enough -- details in the thread linked below. Your subsequent home oral fluids self test is further confirmation you aren't infected and is also definitive.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
And as it happens, this also sounds like a pretty low risk series of sexual exposures, especially if your partner was not bisexual or an injection drug user; and your symptoms are not typical for a new HIV infection. But as I said, even if this had been a very high risk exposure and even if your symptoms were typical, the test results rule. All is well. You don't need any additional HIV testing.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The news is good: for sure you do not have HIV. You are very concerned by the sexual exposures and your symptoms, but those are exactly the wrong things to focus on. The HIV tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition -- and test results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. Your negative rapid blood test at 8 weeks was definitive and proved 100% you are not infected. Although formal advice from test manufacturers and public health agencies indicate 3 months for definitive results, 6-8 week in fact is almost always enough -- details in the thread linked below. Your subsequent home oral fluids self test is further confirmation you aren't infected and is also definitive.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
And as it happens, this also sounds like a pretty low risk series of sexual exposures, especially if your partner was not bisexual or an injection drug user; and your symptoms are not typical for a new HIV infection. But as I said, even if this had been a very high risk exposure and even if your symptoms were typical, the test results rule. All is well. You don't need any additional HIV testing.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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