AIDS PHOBIA

[Teak]

http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/insite?page=ask-01-03-13

Most of the people on this forum fall in this class. This is very good reading and point oriented.

[bigdummy]

The Godfather has posted.


Teak when was your last post before this?

Ofcourse I have and Aids phobia, that doesn't mean I don't have the virus.

[coz80]

i have some issues like putting things in order...
but this can not cause white furry tongue.......
I do have XXX phobia very sure.......

[Teak]

You have a mental issue, not an HIV issue.

[MelvinG1]

It's not an aids phobia, I did have a high fever, muscle aches, headache, dry mouth, white tongue, diarrhea, stick neck, postnasal drip and more I can't remember, I was really really sick about 1 month after my oral encounter, recieving and getting sucked by an unknown hiv status person, you will freak out, you will be scared, because if you're HIV+ you should tell the person before going further, because then the innocent person will get infected when it could've been avoided. I totally freaked out, i'm still freaked out after my 103 days exposure negative test, i'm scared to have sex, I will get tested again at 6 months just to make sure.

[bigdummy]

yeah, I have that furry stuff too. When I drink something with color it sticks to it.

[OrionQuest]

Let logic and reason prevail.

[Teak]

You can not contract something that you have had any risk in contracting. You can test for 10 years straight and it will not make a difference. You didn't have a risk.

[MelvinG1]

That's what you say No Risk, others say Low Risk, my HIV counselor said it was kinda risky because I had bleeding gums and HIV can enter very easily through a cut if it get in contact with precum semen or blood, I was so scared, I was crying throughout the three months until I got tested, I was devasted I took my test I was negative at 103 days I was LIKE OMG I couldn't believe it. My doctor was telling me I have to test again at 6 months, again I got scared and now I can't get over it. One thing I don't understand never read anyone who had ARS and had Postnasal drip like I do so that was something I found odd I said maybe I don't really have it, maybe it's another virus. I tested for ALL STD's and everything came back negative, my doctor said it was a cold I was like NO WaY all those symptoms is not common in a cold. I'm so scared teak. I remember it like today, that night around 2:49 am, I felt something tingling around my entire body like something running through my blood and I went to the bathroom I had  chronic diarrhea, along with the high fever, and muscle soreness, I began crying and came to the conclusion I was HIV Poz, I called both guys they swear they were both negative, so I said what does it matters if they're saying the truth or not, I got it now there is nothing I can do about it.

[OCguy]

This "AIDS-phobic" person most likely asked his questions within the last two years, meaning the incident was at least 5-6 years before the guy asked the question.  I believe *most* people who are pseudo-diagnosed on here with OCD or HIV/AIDS Phobia would be content, worst case, after a 6 month negative.

[OCguy]

I'm curious if the author of this page noticed anything such as relation to the age of a person asking the question.  I have noticed within myself and other people who post these type of questions here tend to be people who were growing up during the AIDS scare of the 80s into the early 90s.  Granted, there is correlation between that age and people being very sexually active.  

This seems to be not unlike the "greatest generation" (parents of the baby boomers) who were the adults during the height of the Cold War.  Bomb shelters, etc.

I guess the point I'm getting at is that perhaps it's not AIDS itself that is to be feared but it could be something that is mysterious and cannot be rectified.  Throw into the mix the *confusion* some people have (including myself) between morality and health.

What are your thoughts?

[monkeyflower]

Probably, but on this board that means a six month negative after each possible exposure. Assuming you have sex more than twice a year, you have a life-long miserable freakout ahead of you :-)

Honestly, all this obsession with HIV in general, the hours spent researching test generation, window periods, symptoms... the questioning, the endless angst, the anxiety, the guilt, the repeated testing, the fear, the 'symptoms', just everything...it's not healthy thinking, and it's not a healthy way to live.

And before someone tells me how all this means that they just care about their health, and the health of their loved ones... Do you eat a low-fat, mostly vegetarian diet? Exercise? Wear your seatbelt? Drink in moderation (if you drink)? Make sure you involve yourself in hobbies and activities that are good for you, and that you enjoy? Spend time with friends and family? Aim for quality of life?

Or are you sitting 18 hours a day in front of the computer, scarfing down extra-large BigMac happy meals while you surf for still more HIV information? Are you sitting there alone, with a twinkie in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and a beer in front of you? Are you anxious? Afraid? Unable to sleep, or sleeping too much? Crying all the time? Avoiding family and friends? Maybe it's just me, but none of that sounds very healthy... or caring.

So if you want to do some research, quit looking up HIV symptoms, and read up on hypochondria, health anxiety, somatoform disorders, anxiety disorders. A little introspection never hurt anyone. Take some time to think about whether you're *really* happy with the way you're living. If you are, great. If not, see a therapist and your doctor.

[Teak]

Very well said. But "what if".. just kidding.

[OCguy]

I'd agree with your first response, monkeyflower, if the person has been celibate after that one incident.  

As for your first batch of questions, yes.  I was the one who told myself to see a psychologist.  I don't drink by personal choice.  I eat pretty well too.  Interestingly enough, that includes eating fish more than once a week, because as the FDA says the benefits of eating fish outweighs the risk of digesting pollutants (ie, Mercury).  I am happy, but this one thing worries me.  I am seeing someone to help that.  

I better not sound too defensive or I'll be diagnosed with something else =P

Btw, why the smiley after the "freakout" comment?  hehe

[mike_no]

Great read......... Kudos !

[coz80]

today I found out that hiv duo cost around 2500 RS and my combo test cost was only 350 RS.
Now sure this is not 4th gen or even 3rd gen.....

[coz80]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=57bcc168-22b8-47b9-9d32-b497494392de&MatchID1=4501&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=6&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1122&PrimaryID=4501&Headline='HIV-testing+centres+using+bad+kits'

do you have the same opinion??

[cc221]

Is this an Indian website?

[coz80]

This is news paper article about test kits in India

[coz80]

got it but how the duo and combo can be of same standard when 2500 is not equal to 350.....

[mike_no]

what do you mean ?

Be  little more clearer

[mike_no]

Didn't  you read the counter article to the same the very next day stating that it was a false allegation and confirmed that the testing kits were up to the standard.

Try and search for the same, I hope you'd get it, even I'll try if I could find the link.

Secondly, IV gen tests (the one you got)  are not provided by NACO and private testing labs like - Dr. Lal, Metropolis, Ranbaxy don't use NACO facilitated kits since they are not eligible for it, NACO facilitated kits goes to all government hospitals and aren't advance generation of test like the one you've got.

[coz80]

see my post in this thread or see below
"today I found out that hiv duo cost around 2500 RS and my combo test cost was only 350 RS.
Now sure this is not 4th gen or even 3rd gen..... ".......
now this creates a doubt about the lab and the test itself....
damn they have got so many certificates even ISO and British blah..blah....
and they are doing this ........they have not told me about good tests..........

[mike_no]

oh, another thing before you ask me let me tell you that MEIA = CMIA = ELISA, they are all synonyms for testing technology

[mike_no]

I have got a duo test for about 4 times so far and for any one who knows what it is would tell you that, it's a p24 Ag and Ab test, Metropolis Charges INR 400 and it's listed on their website

http://www.metropolisindia.com/searchtestmenubyname.asp?testbranch=MUM&radiobutton=radtestname&keywords=duo&x=0&y=0

Look, you never had a risk, you tested negative to 11 weeks and that's the end of the story !

[cluelessintexas]

It's hard not to be panic stricken when one has REAL risk of being infected by HIV.  AND the fact that you have to wait it out causes more panic and anxiety.

6 weeks test is not conclusive, so 7 more weeks of anxiety.

[mike_no]

6 weeks result changing ahead is very very unlikely, I guarantee you a negative at the 12 week's waiting for you.

[coz80]

http://www.youandaids.org/Consultation%20Room/Category/index.asp?ParentCategory=3&Category=9&CurrentPage=8


this doc has no idea  I think
on this page search for word "duo"
thanks alot mike for clearing my doubt about the quality of the test.
as you have paid 400 so at 350 I am good :=))
just let me have my result next week and then hope I CAN SAY as per CDC CONCLUSIVE.

[cluelessintexas]

I think it's unlikely because MOST people who test @ 6 weeks probably didn't have a real risk to begin with..  

I'm terrified.  I'm in Vegas right now, and I can't enjoy myself.  

I really hope my 13 week is negative.  

[mike_no]

www.youandaids.org !!!

LMAO, that site is a stupid website and people answering questions are no doctors for sure because they recommend HIV testing after a kissing incident, saliva on food incidence...lol !!!

Stay away from that website, it's all **** there, few other people on here can tell you the same thing that I just told you.

[mike_no]

Where did you get the information from ????  :O

Plain and simple, LOGIC !

1. Average tome to seroconvert is 22 days (CDC)

2. 2 weeks following seroconversion, detectable amount of antibodies would be present.

3. Hence, by 6 weeks one should get a reliable result however just a conservative stance to the entire thing ; say 12 weeks but thats just a confirmatory test !

4. Remember, todays generation of tests are very advanced and can detect the antibodies lot more earlier that the older gen of tests and manufacturer's recommendation of the 12 weeks too

Go ahead enjoy, you don't have much to worry about

[coz80]

this is a good advice...thanks
they are also suggesting 6 months window to everybody in many cases......

[mike_no]

It claims that the questions are answered by the panel of doctors from the wockhartd hospital, I'm sure doctors can't be so stupid - what a waste !

[coz80]

I also hope that they are not having good knowledge on xxx.

[hollyhobby]

because if you're HIV+ you should tell the person before going further, because then the innocent person will get infected when it could've been avoided

This is a quote from one of your posts above.  So, tell me Melvin, why are you putting the responsibility of YOUR health off on someone else?  Don't get me wrong...I do believe that full disclosure is of the utmost importance...but, at the same time...YOU are ultimately responsible for protecting yourself.

[joggen]

There IS such a forum created exactly for that purpose:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/HIV-Anxiety-Support/show/595