Anxiety hiv scare

[Constantfearanxiety]

So after a long night of drinking, had unprotected sex with co-worker.  Immediately regretted whole thing.  Next morning wake up, have a huge fear of HIV.  Talk to co-worker and she assures me she is negative but hasn't been tested in a year.   Fast forward 13 days, go to lab and take HIV RNA PCR early detection test, negative.  Do some more research has a had a lingering cough and a little muscle fatigue.  See that test is only 95% accurate.  Go back to same lap at 28 days for 4th generation test, also negative.  Feel a little better for a week or so, but can't shake the feeling.  So at 6 weeks, co worker develops bumps in genital area and goes and gets complete STD test.  All negative.  Her boyfriend goes weeks after that all negative.  You would think that would clear my mind.  Now I'm at 11 weeks still worried.  My chest has a small break out, acne like and I also had 5 pimple like pumps show up on my thighs, not all at same time and lasted longer than normal acne.  So now I fear that maybe the lab used a contaminated needle.  I know I'm bent irrational, but I just can't shake the feeling.  If lab used a contaminated needle would it show up on test?  I'm waiting 1 more week to do Oraquick test, but am living in constant state of fear and anxiety.

[Sara_MHModerator]

As our members have patiently and clearly stated, you are conclusively negative and hanging onto fear that you are not is due to anxiety.  We hope that you can talk to your doctor about that.  As your question has been answered, we are now closing this thread.  We wish you the best of health.

***  thread closed ***

[CurfewX]

You may need help to get past your anxiety - lots of people do.  You have tested conclusively negative, so whatever symptoms you're experiencing have nothing to do with HIV.  You should probably stop testing, too, because there's always the chance of getting a false positive, and that would probably send your anxiety into overdrive.  There's absolutely no need to test again.

And yes, the idea that anyone in the lab would risk their reputation, or further, getting sued for using a contaminated needle isn't rational.

[Constantfearanxiety]

Thank you so much for your feedback.  I know I have an abnormal anxiety level,  even spoke to my doctor,  but no prescription.  Haven't told him about this though.  It's weird,  I test,  feel good for a few weeks,  then boom all of the sudden it hits me like a ton of bricks.  I know I'm being crazy,  but just don't feel like I can get past it until I have a definitive answer.

[AnxiousNoMore]

"get past it until I have a definitive answer."

You already have the definitive answer that you crave but subconsciously are insisting on making up your own science (just in case the medical profession is wrong.),  

So one on one therapy might be a good option to help you deal with the science which is 40 years old and very concrete.

[Constantfearanxiety]

Anxious,

Thanks for the reply, it definitely helps.  Like I said i know I'm being crazy, just something I have to deal with.  I too think therapy is my answer.  I'm not sure why I'm so hung up on this, never have been this hung up on any issue before.  Even after all the negative test, I see stuff on the internet that no test is conclusive until 3 months, even though I know it is such a small percentage after the multiple negative tests.  Then I think maybe my co-worker is lying about the test, but then I think she has to be a great liar.  I think the biggest thing that gets me is every little symptom I get, I immediately look it up, and HIV is always an option, then it slowly creeps back in to my head.  Same thing with the blood tests.  I just want my normal life back and to get past this once and for all.