Drunk mistake resulting in unknown risk and symptoms - possible insertive anal sex

[haliscared]

3 weeks ago I made the biggest mistake of my life.  I got blackout drunk at a gay bar and engaged in unknown activities in the backroom of the bar.  To the best of my recollection, I believe I may have had insertive anal sex (top) and it definitely would have been unprotected.  I do recall "finishing" by receiving oral sex but the details are otherwise foggy and/or non-existent.  

I have had a few symptoms over the last couple of weeks, the majority of which I have dismissed; however, as of today (just shy of the 3 week mark) I am becoming more convinced I have contracted HIV.  I have had 2 straight days of significant chills (my body simply won't warm up); nausea, diarrhea, very foggy head, headache, a couple of nights of night sweats and today what appears to be the start of a rash on my left forearm.  Also, I have a tattoo from a couple of years ago that has suddenly become "raised" - not sure if there is any significance here but I have read that this can happen when someone is ill.  To date - no fever, no sore throat.

I realize you can't diagnose based on symptoms and I went a couple of days ago for a 4th gen test - still in the window period but I understand likely to pick up an infection by 18 days (according to the ID doc I saw) - results tomorrow.  I'm simply losing my mind at this point and looking for any advice.  I am terrified for a positive result which will end my marriage and my life.  

[Sara_MHModerator]

As our members have accurately stated, you  have tested conclusively negative for HIV and therefore, none of these symptoms are related to HIV.  

***  thread closed ***

[haliscared]

My symptoms are continuing to progress.  Extreme numbness in one side of my face and now both of my hands are tingling/numb (peripheral neuropathy). My spouse is continuing to have a rash and a terrible cough.  Everyone seems certain that my 40 day duo won’t change but I’m having serious doubts.  I went for one further test at 45 days.  Should have results  tomorrow...

[AnxiousNoMore]

You ask questions, then tell everyone here that only you know the answers, so the only science you believe in is your own science fiction which is unrealistic for you to think that can become reality. Your anxiety is a bit of a mental illness at this point, so it would be more correct to say your mental illness is continuing to progress. See a therapist to try to end this needless agony that you are putting yourself through caused by your irrational belief in your own science fiction.

[haliscared]

Appreciate what you are saying but I can assure you that the symptoms being experienced are not my own science fiction.  They are very real.  As is the widespread rash on my spouses torso.  

[mike_no]

Your symptoms have nothing to do with HIV. Neither they follow characteristics of ARS symptoms nor do they fall in the time frame for it.

Two reasons why you can't infect your partner:

1. You are HIV negative.

2. HIV can't be transmitted through oral or mutual masturbation.

You were 2 days short of a conclusive. However, the possibility of your 40 days negative changing ahead is highly unlikely.

You and your spouse would need to see a doctor for the cause of your discomforts, HIV is not the concern here.

If you feel you have irrational fear about this disease or a guilt issue that is triggering it, please see a therapist.

I repeat, HIV is not your concern.

[haliscared]

Appreciate the supportive words.  I completely perplexed by what is going on.  I want to trust the test results but can’t help but feel I’m somehow an outlier.  You say the symptoms don’t fit but from what I understand meningitis usually happens in the weeks following initial illness.  I’m doing the inevitable and constantly googling and just can’t help but feel hopeless.

[mike_no]

You should trust your result. Practically, nothing apart from being on chemotherapy would cause a delayed sero-conversion.

The 4th Generation of HIV test is very sensitive that doesn't miss an infection so easy. It looks for p24 antigen and antibodies in tandem.

The average time to sero-convert is 21 days, a week after sero-conversion i.e. at 28 days, detectable amount of antibody is almost always found.

Rarely, if the body has not produced detectable amount of antibodies by that time and the individual is currently in process of sero-conversion, p24 antigen, a core viral protein would be certainly detected.

Therefore, a IV Generation HIV test is said to be around 98% accurate at 28 days. A good buffer of another 2 week is factored to rule out the possibility of slow sero-conversion it is said to be 100% accurate at 6th week.

You need to stop reading much about HIV online. There is a lot of information available out there and it's very easy to misinterpret. Most people bring an uncalled for ordeal upon themselves by reading incessantly about symptoms online. It's not going to help you in any way but only make you cyberchondriac.

I want to remind you that you are only guessing that you might have had anal sex with unknown people, you were never sure. That could be the keystone of anxiety for you.

Please accept your result and see a therapist if you are having some underlying emotional issues or simply anxiety that is causing fear about this disease. Also, keep working with your doctor to find the cause of your discomforts. HIV is not your concern.

[haliscared]

Any realistic chance a week long treatment of prednisone 30mg daily for a misdiagnosed sinus infection would affect window period?  Finding conflicting info online.

[mike_no]

No medication apart from ARV drugs can cause interference with your HIV test result. Quit searching 'HIV' online. It's not going to help you. You don't have HIV.

[haliscared]

So my 40 day duo was negative however I am now having very worrisome symptoms.  The left side of my face is completely numb and I have a terrible headache and a large amount of pressure felt behind my nose.  Have been to an ENT who has ruled out sinus involvement.   On top of all of this my spouse has developed a terrible rash on his torso - we have not had penetrative sex...just mutual masturbation and oral.  I’m worried about meningitis etc related to acute hiv. Is there a chance my 40 day negative duo was false?  Completely gutted here.  

[CurfewX]

I'm not sure what's going on with you or your spouse, but you can rule out HIV as the cause.  Meningitis that is NOT related to HIV is far more common, and you couldn't have passed it on even if you had HIV - and you do NOT - via masturbation and oral.

See a doctor for your non-HIV related health concerns.

[haliscared]

Thanks for this.  You seem very certain - I wish I felt the same right now.  

[haliscared]

Negative at 40 days with a 4th Gen DUO and moving on.   Thanks to all the contributors to this forum - you’re doing good things!

[mike_no]

"I believe I may have had insertive anal sex (top) and it definitely would have been unprotected.  "

If you had unprotected anal sex you need to test at 6 weeks with a duo for a conclusive or at 8 weeks or later with any standard antibody test.

The above testing recommendation applies to you because you engaged in a risky sex and with a high risk group.

The likelihood of your 26 days negative changing is very unlikely. However, for a definitive result a final one at 6 weeks wouldn't be a bad idea. I assure you that it's going to be negative.

[haliscared]

Hi folks - to date I have tested negative at 18 days and again at 26.5 days - I know they say 28 days with the duo is conclusive.  Do you think there is a realistic chance of it changing from Day 26.5 to Day 28?

[GuitarRox]

It probably won't change but I'm really not sure why you wouldn't have waited until 28 days.  That makes no sense.

[haliscared]

I didn't wait the 28 days because I was leaving the country for 10 days - I am back now and debating the need for one further test - currently at 5.5 weeks

[CurfewX]

If you didn't have a fever, it's unlikely to be HIV symptoms.  Also, and HIV rash will be non-itchy and invariably appears on the torso.  It can appear other places, but always on the torso.

The test should pick up antigens if you're positive, but of course you need to wait a bit longer for a conclusive test.   The chances that your encounter was with someone HIV+ and not on meds is extraordinarily low.  The vast majority of people do NOT have HIV.  Additionally, the odds from a one-time encounter are also extremely low.  Multiply the two likelihoods together and the odds are minuscule.   Please try to keep your risk in perspective as you await your results.

[haliscared]

Negative at 18 days - encouraging but I understand not definitive.  Thanks for your kind words

[AnxiousNoMore]

Anything not definitive is just a guess. The more you guess the more anxious you will get, when yourealize that you aren't proving anything. Try to relax and wait for the proper test. The first steps to peace are to cold turkey stop examining your body and stop googling.

[AnxiousNoMore]

"I realize you can't diagnose based on symptoms " Yet you continue to examine you body for symptoms and report them here. The more you waste your time examining your body the more anxious you will get. Duo is conclusive at 4 weeks and any other after 12, so try to relax until then because there is no other diagnostic. I wouldn't ask for the results because you tested early so it was a useless test. It will only make you more anxious as you await its useless proclamation, so best to skip it and test at the proper time.

[haliscared]

Thanks for your kind and comforting words - clearly I am aware that symptoms can't diagnose, I was simply looking for a bit of guidance.  Re the test being useless, I will trust in the advice of the infectious disease doc I saw and get the results in any event.  Best