test after 6 weeks - still in fear

[Insina]

Dear all,

my situation is really desperate.

11 weeks ago I had unprotected anal sex with a prostitute in Germany. How I could be so dumb? I simply don't know.

The next day after having realized the dimension of my action I decided to go for a test (ELISA) which I did 5 days later not knowing that this is way to early. So of course the result was negative.

3 weeks later I went to China where I work as an expat. In the 4th week I started to feel really tired. Jetlag should have been over by this time. One week later, in the 5th week, it got stronger. I felt sick without having fever or anything else. Just a feeling due to this fatigue.

For the residence permit I had to do another test which was in the same week, 39 days after exposure. Still in the this week I started to get hot flushs on two evenings, maybe also very light fever. Might have been the nervousness while waiting for the test result. I also recognized that I lost weight since I left Germany 3 weeks ago: 3kg.

A few days later I got finally the result of the test: Negative! Man, I was happy. And although I still felt tired, I was sure that I am over it.

I could focus on other things again until in the 8th week I discovered that my left hollow of the knee was swollen. A few days later the hollows of both my knees started to hurt. First not really hurt, more a burning and stretched feeling. Later after taking longer walks I felt real pain starting in the hollows going down the calves.

This lasted for 2 weeks (from 8th to 10th week) and then suddenly disappeared.

Now, in the 11th week, I feel really normal again. I don't feel tired anymore, my knees don't hurt anymore although the left one is still slightly swollen - at least in contrast to the right one which feels normal. It's ironic: I feel good, but now I think about the weeks before where I didn't feel good.

Sorry guys, for writing such a long test. My problem is that in China HIV is a very sensitive topic. I can't talk to anyone as I might risk my work permit and so also my job. A positive test result would mean my immediate deportation. I even couldn't say good bye to my girlfriend.

So what's my question?

I wanna know if these symptoms are typical for a HIV infection. I know that there are no typical symptoms, but maybe someone can tell me if it's rather unrelated to a possible infection or not. Sorry, but I am really in this messy situation that I can't confide to any doctor here. I can't do a test as long as I am in China without risking... well, everything. I right now I even can't leave the country as I am in the middle of a very important project in my job. Unnecessary to say that I live in a permanent fear which I can't really handle. I feel like in a padded room.

How much can I rely on my 39-days test result?

Thanks for any help. And sorry again for the long text. It's just that I feel really desperate.

[Insina]

My knees hurt again and the swelling has become bigger.

I just read about the so called reactive arthritis which can appear during an acute virus infection, but also delayed although I am not sure if the latter also refers to virus infections or rather to bacterial infections.

Does anybody know aything about this?

[Xhost]

>You really need to read and understand what is being said before you run off and make accusations.

Actually, I think you and he are saying, basically, the same thing.

[HSci34]

Insina, you should try to get a hold of your anxiety.

Getting knee pain is by no means a sign that you have HIV.

[Insina]

Thanks a lot for your input, guys.

I read about the 4-6 weeks before, but also that just the 3 months test gives a certain security. So at least I should feel encouraged.

It's just that I had these symptoms which drive me crazy. Especially the pain in my knees which appeared 8 weeks after exposure and lasted for two weeks. Normally I would think this is too late for ARS symptoms, but then again I start thinking that maybe any kind of reaction of my body is just delayed or takes much longer for some reason. Although I don't see why I should have a suppressed immune system. I used to be healthy for my whole life.

Thanks again for your words. It really helps as I feel quite lonely here with my problem. I mean I just can't talk about it to anyone here which leads to a "mental implosion" after a certain time.

[HSci34]

What Teak says is correct, for a completely conclusive test you should wait the 3 months. However, if you do test prior to then at 4-8 weeks and have not tested positive, it is very unlikely for your results to change at the 12 week mark.

Some people do not really even have a risk when they are tested, and I think that for those people a results at the 4-8 week mark is more than enough for them. Those people just need some reassurance.

For people who actually have had risky encounters (i.e. unprotected anal sex, direct exposure to blood, need stick, etc), a 3 month test is suggested because it's better to be safe than sorry. A test at 4, 6, or 8 weeks, however, is very unlikely to change at the 12/13 week mark.

[Teak]

Do you even know what you are saying? I don't think so. No one questioning when one can get a positive result what I'm saying and so does the folks at AidsMeds is that for you to have a conclusive negative result you need to test out to 3 months. You really need to read and understand what is being said before you run off and make accusations. You don't see anyone at AidsMeds or anywhere else say that just because you did not test positive by 4-6 weeks means that you will not test positive later, you don't see that said at all. AidsMeds as does the manufactures of the tests say 3 months test is required to obtain conclusive negative result. There is nothing more to argue here. Just make sure when you do say something "thetruth204" you do know what you are talking about.  

[Teak]

No the GUM clinic does not say 3 months is for those that have suppressed immune systems. We have folks that work for the GUM clinic at AidsMeds. Those that have suppressed immune systems due to Chemo, antirejection drugs for transplants and those that Chronic IV drug abusers are tested to 6 months.

[ptw]

Hi

I asked this question at my GUM clinic wed, i went to get tested for what i thought was chlamydia as i had what i thought were the symptoms, and asked about HIV testing when the doctor was there, since i wanted to know when to get a test.

As others have mentioned they quote 3 months as conclusive. However, the doctor did say that 3 months is quoted to allow for those testing with suppressed immune systems (such as chemo patients), the vast majority of  those with normal immune systems will show  accurate results at 6 weeks

So, if negative at 6 weeks, id personally say dont panick, and move on with your life. Get your check-up at 3 months for peace of mind,  but a 6 weeks test is a very good indication indeed.

[Teak]

Nice try todd but the CDC never says weeks, they say months. 3 months to be exact.

[todd860]

I asked DR and CDC hiv hotline about 6 weeks testing, they never see 6weeks negative, then later be +iv. but DR said 6-8weeks is conclusive, CDC said 12 weeks.

[Uniquelymen]

Hi there,

Just to reinforce a little.....

Your symptoms are not ARS specific (taking into account the manifestation and period).

HIV is diagnosed through a blood test, not through signs and symptoms. Do not scare yourself with the signs and symptoms.

For most who will test positive, they will do so within 4-6 weeks after exposure. Most people would be negative when the HIV test is repeated at the 3rd month.

A test at the 3rd month would be good to conclude.

[Teak]

NO, the way you described your symptoms it is not. Don't have sex without a condom while you're there and test when you get back home  or at 3 months post exposure which ever comes first.