Confused

[Scared_sweet_girl]

Hi Dr. HHH,

I am just rather confused on this testing process and was hoping you could help me out.. In the months of June/July I had a couple encounters of unprotected sex with a guy I knew, however, I don't know his HIV status.  I was tested at 10 weeks and it came back negative and will be going in for my 13 week test.. However the health educator advised me that my test was not conclusive until 6 months past exposure.  Is this correct? I am a total wreck now because I have been stressing out this whole time thinking I have HIV due to some symptoms.  And I know that symptoms don't mean anything.. I read the CDC guidelines and if I read them right they say that testing at 3+ months is 97% accurate.. Can you please help me get myself together, I am rather scared here. I am rather scared as you can tell..

[Scared_sweet_girl]

I am just scared and have major aniexty over this.. I am so afraid that if my results come back negative on my 13 week that I am going to be a mess until 6 months because I keep hearing from my Dr's office to test out until then.

[shygirl1981]

if it were me, I would not test again. you don't have hiv

[excel1234]

scaredsweetgirl, change doctors. Some are not as competent as others. I promise you, everything will be fine. Unless your Dr is as competent as Dr.H in std knowledge, then listen to the latter. I know what you are going through. I go through it. It's funny, I am a normal guy who is rarely afraid, if ever, except when it comes down to my health, and then i turn into a 5 yr old and have serious anxiety. I know I can't change overnight, and I was resisting seeing someone. I have now started and am confident with time and the professional help, everything will be fine. The same applies to you. Talk to the guy, relay your fears to him. If he's a friend, he will understand. But more important, go see a psychologist/counselor very soon. Because even though everyone has told you, you are hiv negative, you will in the future come up with another scenario that will stress you out. It really is worth the money,and a lot take insurance or insurance pays a good chunk of the cost. Please believe me, you have nothing to fear. Now if only i could follow my own advice, :)

[Scared_sweet_girl]

Its so awful.. I go online and research and look at all these different symptoms and it seems like I have all of them.. these days I seem to have a white film or haze to my tongue.. In the past week I have my GP and to specialists tell me its fine, however, I still find myself looking at it ALL the time.. What if I am the rare one that gets diagnosed later... oh my I am so scared..

[excel1234]

I know exactly how you feel scaredsweetgirl. Let me tell you this. I never really paid attention to std's and hiv. I said to myself, i am straight, don't do drugs, don't sleep with hookers, use condoms at all times, yet all of sudden because of the mtv's and stupid websites, i started to go crazy and think i had it. By luck i fell on this site, which has a caring and reputable doctor answering questions in a clear and scientific manner. If you like, go through the archives and see what some people have written. It will give you a better idea on the real risks. Rob is also right. 10 weeks is plenty based on what I have read numerous times on this site. When it comes back negative, you will realize the anxiety was for nothing, but as I said, I suffer from anxiety so I know how it works, and know it plays tricks on the mind. You don't lose anything making an appointment and seeking a counselor. try it. It can help. Don't worry :)

[Scared_sweet_girl]

Hi Sparkeler,  no to all of your questions.. your right I should seek some therapy.. I have no idea why I am letting this consume my life.. I never in my life have been so scared about something.. and its really starting to take a toll on me... I seem to have all these educated people on this disease tell me I am negative and that my test most likely won't change, but I am scared to death.. I am going to try and see a therapist soon..  Thank you to all for responding to my question today, I hope I get a response from the Doctor and maybe that will help settle my fear.