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Oraquick
Since my husbands affair, we have both tested with the in-home oraquick. He tested at approx. 3-4 months post exposure once (negative). I tested three times same - negative. We plan to test again this week. The 92% accuracy thing is killing me. Can someone please explain a way to increase that accuracy? We followed directions, and waited until after 3 months. I'm so worried the results will change or that I did something wrong. Does repeating the test increase the sensitivity? I don't understand why these tests even made the cut if no one can trust them. I'm so afraid! Also, can drug abuse (adderall) effect the ability to produce antibodies within three months? This really is annoying. Thanks for your help.
This discussion is related to Questions on repeating OraQuick Rapid HIV Test.
This discussion is related to Questions on repeating OraQuick Rapid HIV Test.
Best Answer
Your test was reliable, and NO, the adderall abuse would not affect the test. That was incorrect information.
All you're doing is seeking reassurance to calm your anxiety. You've already been given the answers to your questions, and yes, you're obsessing.
Here's one of my replies:
"To be clear, neither you nor your husband need anymore HIV tests. What's going to happen is you're eventually going to end up with a false + (it happens with people who overtest)...and then your anxiety is going to be through the roof.
Your tests are conclusive and accurate. If you cannot accept that, then I would advise seeking some therapy. There is just nothing more we can tell you."
You need to put your focus on addressing the anxiety. That's your concern, not HIV. You wouldn't have HIV for 10 years and not know it.
Here's one of my replies:
"To be clear, neither you nor your husband need anymore HIV tests. What's going to happen is you're eventually going to end up with a false + (it happens with people who overtest)...and then your anxiety is going to be through the roof.
Your tests are conclusive and accurate. If you cannot accept that, then I would advise seeking some therapy. There is just nothing more we can tell you."
You need to put your focus on addressing the anxiety. That's your concern, not HIV. You wouldn't have HIV for 10 years and not know it.
Vance, I'm in therapy. But I was hoping that someone could answer my questions about the oral test on established infections. You guys know way more about these tests than I do, and I just want to make sure there is literally no way it could not pick up a ten year old infection. I'm a very detailed person, and I hate not understanding something. Perhaps I'm obsessing over this, I'm sure I am. I'm really a normal great person outside of this. lol. I've heard of people not having any symptoms and still being diagnosed with AIDS because of their cell counts.
I wish people could understand. I feel like I'm stuck in a vicious cycle of fear and dread.
I wish people could understand. I feel like I'm stuck in a vicious cycle of fear and dread.
Nursegirl, I know you said I was posting too much but I really need someone to talk to. I feel like I am going somewhere I don't wanna go with my feelings.
I am now worried about myself. If I had HIV for ten years, or maybe even longer, would this oral test have ANY reason not to pick up something in my gums? I've read that it is less accurate even on established infections. Why in the world would it be? Please help me to understand this. I am so afraid that when I go get my finger pricked it will be positive in my blood but not in my oral fluid. Is that heard of? possible?
I am now worried about myself. If I had HIV for ten years, or maybe even longer, would this oral test have ANY reason not to pick up something in my gums? I've read that it is less accurate even on established infections. Why in the world would it be? Please help me to understand this. I am so afraid that when I go get my finger pricked it will be positive in my blood but not in my oral fluid. Is that heard of? possible?
Nursegirl -
One question: Do you think I could count on the accuracy of this test being the same as the one used in the clinic, if my husband and I tested in my therapist office with her supervision? Seems like the only reason the accuracy is different is because there a chance someone can misinterpret or not swab correctly. Would this make it more accurate? I know that sounds stupid, but that would basically be the same as testing in a clinic right?
One question: Do you think I could count on the accuracy of this test being the same as the one used in the clinic, if my husband and I tested in my therapist office with her supervision? Seems like the only reason the accuracy is different is because there a chance someone can misinterpret or not swab correctly. Would this make it more accurate? I know that sounds stupid, but that would basically be the same as testing in a clinic right?
I really don't want to take a lab test, because I would rather do something that my husband and I could do together (either another oral or fingerstick). I thought that maybe if we went to a clinic and tested that I could be more confident in the results, but I'm scared to do anything at this point. I thought about doing another oral test in my therapists office. Its where I had my first one done. Surely after three test and 6 months I could accept his results. I feel pretty confident in mine, its mainly just his. I wish he would just go take care of it on his own without me knowing.
My therapist agreed that continuing to test is bad. But if I couldn't let it rest then I had to go do something about it. I let this worry of HIV permeate in my mind for about 7-8 years and when he spoke of the affair it got out of control. It seems crazy that a home test could cancel out all those years of fear I suppose. I always envisioned it being more scary or something. Internally, its the same test, so picking it up at a clinic or picking it up in a home wouldn't be any different. Right?
I hope I find peace too. I've put off having children for a long time, and I'm nearing 30.
My therapist agreed that continuing to test is bad. But if I couldn't let it rest then I had to go do something about it. I let this worry of HIV permeate in my mind for about 7-8 years and when he spoke of the affair it got out of control. It seems crazy that a home test could cancel out all those years of fear I suppose. I always envisioned it being more scary or something. Internally, its the same test, so picking it up at a clinic or picking it up in a home wouldn't be any different. Right?
I hope I find peace too. I've put off having children for a long time, and I'm nearing 30.
You have very good insight to what's going on, anxiety wise. You're 100% right. When one worries/obsesses/ruminates about something so long, when that issue is resolved....but the anxiety isn't gone, it's hard to accept reality and think rationally. That's very much how OCD works. So, either the person continues to obsess even though they KNOW rationally they don't have a worry...OR, they will switch to a new worry/obsession. I'm glad to hear you're in therapy.
Normally, continuing to test is bad for anxiety, however, if you THINK that there's ANY part of you that would be better able to accept the results of a lab test, then go for it...but you have to set limits and agree with yourself that at that point, you're done testing. Any further reservations are only the anxiety talking.
Logistically, physiologically, you don't need anymore tests. You've tested more than necessary. If you were infected, you would have tested + (probably on most of the tests). Again, whether or not you decide to take a lab test is based on if you really think it's going to help you put this to bed once and for all. If you think it isn't going to make much difference, then skip it and keep the therapy going (well, do that either way obviously).
I hope you find peace with this soon.
Normally, continuing to test is bad for anxiety, however, if you THINK that there's ANY part of you that would be better able to accept the results of a lab test, then go for it...but you have to set limits and agree with yourself that at that point, you're done testing. Any further reservations are only the anxiety talking.
Logistically, physiologically, you don't need anymore tests. You've tested more than necessary. If you were infected, you would have tested + (probably on most of the tests). Again, whether or not you decide to take a lab test is based on if you really think it's going to help you put this to bed once and for all. If you think it isn't going to make much difference, then skip it and keep the therapy going (well, do that either way obviously).
I hope you find peace with this soon.
Thank you for your compassion towards me. My therapist told me I need to go have a blood test done if I can't accept it. Which scared me and made me think I needed to have a blood test. I just don't wanna go fool with that if I don't have to. I'll go nuts. You know? So I spend a lot of time trying to assure myself that I can trust this test(s). I know I will get tested when I get pregnant so I don't want to be freaking out at that point. You are right, I just go in circles. I'm so tired of this. It honestly just makes me wanna crawl into a hole. I think my anxiety stems from the thought that I worried about HIV for so long, and I finally took a test and realized I didn't have it, and now I have to place that anxiety on another situation and its very easy to place it there. I feel pretty confident in mine since it had been so long. It was just my husbands that scared me. Is there ANY reason why we should retest at 6 months? I swear I'm done after this question. I know you wish I would disappear lol.
Often times, HIV anxiety stems from a certain experience...we commonly see people who are very anxious about HIV after having a sexual encounter they regret, or feel shameful about. My guess is that your husband's affair is the underlying source of your anxiety...and that is presenting itself as worry about HIV...to the point of not being able to accept that you're in the clear. That's where a therapist can be of great help. We give that advice a lot, but sadly, not too many people take it. They continue to chase their tails and stay on the merry-go-round of HIV related anxiety. It's really a shame.
" You don't seem to think I have anything to worry about. Would you tell your patients it is okay to get pregnant after this test?"
Yes, absolutely. If you were my patient, that's exactly what I would tell you, HOWEVER, more detrimental to you and a pregnancy would be high stress levels and chronic anxiety. I would REALLY recommend addressing that first before getting pregnant. Once you're expecting, treatment for anxiety becomes pretty limited.
Good luck to you.
" You don't seem to think I have anything to worry about. Would you tell your patients it is okay to get pregnant after this test?"
Yes, absolutely. If you were my patient, that's exactly what I would tell you, HOWEVER, more detrimental to you and a pregnancy would be high stress levels and chronic anxiety. I would REALLY recommend addressing that first before getting pregnant. Once you're expecting, treatment for anxiety becomes pretty limited.
Good luck to you.
Yeah.. I considered going to a clinic to get an oral swab there but it seems like that would be a waste of time. I def don't think I can handle a false positive. Lord have mercy. Why is it that someone who has put off HIV testing for years and finally does it still can't rest. Just a sad thing. You don't seem to think I have anything to worry about. Would you tell your patients it is okay to get pregnant after this test? Thanks so much for your time.
Clearly anxiety is getting the best of you.
To be clear, neither you nor your husband need anymore HIV tests. What's going to happen is you're eventually going to end up with a false + (it happens with people who overtest)...and then your anxiety is going to be through the roof.
Your tests are conclusive and accurate. If you cannot accept that, then I would advise seeking some therapy. There is just nothing more we can tell you.
To be clear, neither you nor your husband need anymore HIV tests. What's going to happen is you're eventually going to end up with a false + (it happens with people who overtest)...and then your anxiety is going to be through the roof.
Your tests are conclusive and accurate. If you cannot accept that, then I would advise seeking some therapy. There is just nothing more we can tell you.
If I did it correctly I should be able to trust it right? Esp since I did so many lol.....should we do another at 6 months?
I'm sorry your having to go through this. Yes the 92% is worrisome, but that's because people at home don't always follow the directions.
Also, not everyone has waited 3 months.
You've waited 3 months. Your husband also tested and he was negative at 5 months. The test has been done multiple times. Their would have had to have been mistakes every time.
If you have any doubts about whether or not you followed directions, the best thing to do is go to a doctors office and get a 4th gen HIV test. Then you can be certain.
Be well
Also, not everyone has waited 3 months.
You've waited 3 months. Your husband also tested and he was negative at 5 months. The test has been done multiple times. Their would have had to have been mistakes every time.
If you have any doubts about whether or not you followed directions, the best thing to do is go to a doctors office and get a 4th gen HIV test. Then you can be certain.
Be well
Guys...I know you warned me, but I think enough time has passed so that I can post again. Do you all agree that the oraquick is just as accurate as one administered in a clinic if I performed it correctly after 3 months? Should I test again at 6 months? This is killing me. I don't want to put myself through more torture if I don't need to test anymore. What else can cause false negatives?
Vance -
Do u work in any type of hiv related field? Just curious. Do you know any more about the false negative deal?
Do u work in any type of hiv related field? Just curious. Do you know any more about the false negative deal?
Nursegirl,
Last question. My husband took another Oraquick yesterday at 5 months. It was negative. Is this good enough? I literally don't understand why the test is less sensitive if it is the same test? Is that just a disclaimer of some sorts? Is this enough? I want to try for a baby soon, and I don't want any surprises but I just want to let this go. Would you trust it? This forum has been very encouraging for me. You are helping many.
Last question. My husband took another Oraquick yesterday at 5 months. It was negative. Is this good enough? I literally don't understand why the test is less sensitive if it is the same test? Is that just a disclaimer of some sorts? Is this enough? I want to try for a baby soon, and I don't want any surprises but I just want to let this go. Would you trust it? This forum has been very encouraging for me. You are helping many.
92% feels low. I contacted someone at a clinic that uses oraquick oral fluid and they said it was the exact same test. I still don't understand how someone could get a false negative if they waited until after 3 months and did the test correctly. Vance, you have any idea? Seems like I am just going to have to get one done somewhere. I can't seem to let it go. Please don't be harsh with my annoying posts. This has been such a hard time in my life after the affair. I want to have sex again with him, but I am scared.
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