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53 day hiv test post post exposure conclusive?
I just tested non-reactive after taking an HIV-antigen rapid test 53 past exposure. It was a great relief on my part but I'm still in doubt whenever I think of my "symptoms" and medical history within than 53 days.
I had a supposed to be protected anal sex (receiver) and unprotected oral with a paid masseur I met from an online app. Two days after I began experiencing sore throat, muscle pains (back, arms and legs), fatigue, slight fever, diarrhea and night sweats. This lasted for about 4 days, sore throat for about a week. I messaged the masseur and admitted to removing the condom during the sex but insisted that he was clean. But stil, I cannot be assured.
I was so anxious and paranoid during that time that I self-medicated my self thinking it was ARS. Since I had no access to PEP, I searched for HIV stuff online and did the following for about 5 days:
A. Take virgin coconut oil 2-3 tbsps 3 times a day. (There was a research about it from a scientist from University of the Philippines)
B. Drink apple cider vinegar twice a day.
C. Eat a clove of garlic twice a day as it supposedly cleans and fight the digestive track where the "virus reservoir" normally is.
I felt better a week after possible exposure. However, three weeks after, rashes began to form on my legs and thigh. They are red, non-raised and non-itchy. This time, no other symptoms are present. It was diagnosed as vasculitis by the doctor which is an auto-immune disease, and found no cause for it after several lab tests. It can be caused by drugs, recent bacterial/viral infections, although sometimes, no cause can be attributed to it. I've read that it is a rare complication in HIV positive persons. The rashes went on until the 53rd day mark and it is still here. Rashes come and go, occasional flares happen. I was taking prednisone during this time which is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresant drug (60 mg tapered down to 5 mg on the 4th week, ongoing).
Again, as I've said, I tested negative on the 53rd day. Now, my questions:
1. Is my 53-day rapid test conclusive? How accurate/conclusive it is?
2. Could the symptoms I experienced 2 days after be ARS?
3. Could my vasculitis be HIV related? I read in another forum there are a couple of HIV positive posters/members who experience this. Or should I just believe my doctor that for my case, no cause can be attributed?
4. Given the "medications" I took, could have I prevented infection with the apple cider, virgin coconut oil, and garlic, similar to what PEP does? Or could these have just delayed the antibody formation?
5. Could the prednisone, which is said to decrease the activity of my immune system, delay the antibody formation?
6. Would you recommend re-testing?
Sorry for the long list of questions, but thank you in advance!
I had a supposed to be protected anal sex (receiver) and unprotected oral with a paid masseur I met from an online app. Two days after I began experiencing sore throat, muscle pains (back, arms and legs), fatigue, slight fever, diarrhea and night sweats. This lasted for about 4 days, sore throat for about a week. I messaged the masseur and admitted to removing the condom during the sex but insisted that he was clean. But stil, I cannot be assured.
I was so anxious and paranoid during that time that I self-medicated my self thinking it was ARS. Since I had no access to PEP, I searched for HIV stuff online and did the following for about 5 days:
A. Take virgin coconut oil 2-3 tbsps 3 times a day. (There was a research about it from a scientist from University of the Philippines)
B. Drink apple cider vinegar twice a day.
C. Eat a clove of garlic twice a day as it supposedly cleans and fight the digestive track where the "virus reservoir" normally is.
I felt better a week after possible exposure. However, three weeks after, rashes began to form on my legs and thigh. They are red, non-raised and non-itchy. This time, no other symptoms are present. It was diagnosed as vasculitis by the doctor which is an auto-immune disease, and found no cause for it after several lab tests. It can be caused by drugs, recent bacterial/viral infections, although sometimes, no cause can be attributed to it. I've read that it is a rare complication in HIV positive persons. The rashes went on until the 53rd day mark and it is still here. Rashes come and go, occasional flares happen. I was taking prednisone during this time which is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresant drug (60 mg tapered down to 5 mg on the 4th week, ongoing).
Again, as I've said, I tested negative on the 53rd day. Now, my questions:
1. Is my 53-day rapid test conclusive? How accurate/conclusive it is?
2. Could the symptoms I experienced 2 days after be ARS?
3. Could my vasculitis be HIV related? I read in another forum there are a couple of HIV positive posters/members who experience this. Or should I just believe my doctor that for my case, no cause can be attributed?
4. Given the "medications" I took, could have I prevented infection with the apple cider, virgin coconut oil, and garlic, similar to what PEP does? Or could these have just delayed the antibody formation?
5. Could the prednisone, which is said to decrease the activity of my immune system, delay the antibody formation?
6. Would you recommend re-testing?
Sorry for the long list of questions, but thank you in advance!
Okay sorry I missed that.:Your test is not likely to change when you test again at 3 months
Ok that is more accurate then the oral test. Test is unlikely to change but have a lab based test.
Hi again. So I tested again at 11 weeks and 1 day using a home kit rapid test, showed non-reactive. Can this be conclusive? Or do I have to test again at the 12-week mark?
But he admitted to removing it behind my back during the intercourse.
Is 53 days enough? Do I need to retest at 3 months? What are the chances of a false negative result?
Is 53 days enough? Do I need to retest at 3 months? What are the chances of a false negative result?
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