Was test at 53 days .. negative but still worried. Please read.

[Veryscared81]

So 53 days ago had unprotected oral and started with condom but it broke and maybe 2-3 pumps later finished. I took the 4th generation test at 16 days, 23 days and 53 days all negative. I've read that 28 days is conclusive but my wife started having swollen Lumph nodes that were tender at 53 days and after reading about things like how biotin can effect results and how flonase can immunosuppress I am extremely scared that I might be having a false negative result. I did not have many symptoms a little diarrhea at day 16 and 53, maybe a little fever but a lot of anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  I made a mistake and do not want to hurt my wife. Should I still be scared or can I move on. Also I went to stdcheck.com and then labcorp and received my results the next day less than 24 hours that also has me scared. Please help me.

[GuitarRox]

I'm sorry to hear that this causes you so much anxiety and it is hard when you have people in your life you worry about.  But you have to let this go. A condom break is unfortunate but a one time unprotected sex is very low risk to begin with. And now, you've tested negative.  So, you do not have HIV.  It is not going to change.  You would have to be taking well above the recommended dose of biotin to have any interference.  If you are simply taking supplements in a regular manner, it will not interfere.  Only those recommended for hair, skin and nail growth have the higher biotin concentration.  I don't know the mg you were getting each day but it is unlikely you were taking more than the recommended mg per day amount.  Flonase has no affect on HIV testing.  

Lots of things cause swollen lymph nodes.  I have one now myself because I was sick 6 wks ago and it hasn't gone away.  Just having a swollen lymph node from time to time is not unusual or worrisome.  It's your body doing it's important work.  

Personally, I would move on.  

[Veryscared81]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. I have to work on this anxiety.  Its ruined me. I think it's a huge mixture of guilt as well. I feel like a huge piece of garbage, but your advice has really helped. I needed to post this because I have no one I can talk to. The Biotin was in my multi and was 300 mcg so not the 5000-10,000 mcg being warned about.  I overreacted.

[GuitarRox]

Yes, you did not take an amount that would interfere, so that is not a factor.  Letting go and moving on will be good for you.  Guilt does often lead to anxiety but it's time to forgive yourself and forget.  

[AnxiousNoMore]

also keep in mind that guilt does not cause disease, but people often subjectively mingle the two together during high anxiety.

[Veryscared81]

Soooo...  I didn't take any biotin for a week and went and tested again. Negative. I think I can relax now. Thank you for the advice.

[GuitarRox]

Yes, I just got the oral part.  But still no worry because you have tested many times with negatives.  If you took a 4th generation test at 50 something days and it was negative, that is all you need to confidently move on from this worry.  You do not have HIV.  

[Veryscared81]

Again I appreciate the rapid response.  Have you heard about how the supplemental Biotin can affect testing? It can cause false results. Also Flonase can immunosuppress,  I was only using it for a few weeks but still that scares me that I might have ruined the accuracy of my tests.

[AnxiousNoMore]

You should have told the lab if you were taking these so you could stop worrying afterwards. I believe flonase takes huge doses to affect the reading so you wouldn't have done that, and biotin needs to be stopped 12 or more hours before the test. Unless there is a reason your doctor prescribed biotin, then taking huge doses of biotin is a bad idea because like most vitamins you only need a little bit and those who recommend large doses are generally quacks.
Likely your wife's tender nodes are from pushing them where they aren't supposed to be irritated, but if you are concerned that your lab result was skewed by those 2 then talk to them about your dosage and ask for advice.

[GuitarRox]

Oral sex is not, repeat NOT, a risk for HIV.  You never needed the first test you took let alone all the ones after.  Saliva and air inactivate the virus.  The only way adults get HIV is unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse and sharing IV drug needles.  

[Veryscared81]

Thank you for your quick response.  I apologize I didn't make it clear that I put a condom on and started having vaginal sex. Then it broke and I finished quickly after that. That is why I am having this fear. I'm sorry for not making that clear.