Aa
Extremely worried
Hello Doctors
I committed some very stupid mistakes recently that now have me very worried that I could be HIV positive. My first experience occurred on Nov. 18 2007 when I received oral sex from a sex worker with no condom. I know this has a low probability of HIV transmission but she had scars on her arms (from needles) and we were in an area where people are known to use meth. Also, she had already been working for a while that day and may have had other men's semen in her mouth. This really worries me because two days later I began having intense heart palpitations which leads me to believe that the drugs in her system may have made their way to my blood system - along with anything else she may have been carrying. Doctors diagnosed the palpitations as anxiety and to this day I cannot consume caffeine or they will reoccur.
At the time, I didn't even consider HIV as a possibility and didn't take the experience with the sex worker seriously (but now I really do). I went to Mexico to visit family and fell in love with a girl in mid December and we began having unprotected vaginal sex (very, very, very stupid of me). Toward the end of December I noticed that white residue would appear on her vagina while we would have sex. I asked her about it and she said it was normal, though I didn't think it was. Two days later (around Christmas time), my penis was irritated and I noticed a few sores. We stopped having sex and the symptoms went away after about a week of applying a cream. We got back together on January 10, 2008 and had unprotected sex again (extremely stupid of me). I asked her about her HIV status and she was insulted and we stopped seeing each other.
On January 28, I began having serious symptoms which included headache, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, loss of appetite,a throat infection (which still hasn't gone away to this day), and minor chest pains. I did not have diarrhea or nausea. I did notice my tounge was very white and that is going away. A doctor diagnosed it as dehydration because of the drinking I was doing the weekend before. I began drinking gatorade and taking antibiotics for the throat infection (which didn't work). The other symptoms went away in early February. The doctor also asked me about my HIV status and suggested I get tested soon. This worried me and I began to read online about HIV and realized that I could very well have been going through seroconversion. I took an antibody test on Feb 1 which came out negative. Since it was so soon, I chose to take a viral load test (Feb 5). The results were positive: 69000 copies/mL; Log 4; set up with a 2 copies/mL minimum. I decided to let my exgirlfriend know and she agreed to both of us taking an antibody test with the condition of never hearing from me again. On February 21, we both took the antibody and both were negative. This is 13 weeks after the experience with the sex worker and exactly 6 weeks after the last time I had sex with my exgirlfriend.
All tests were taken in Mexico, which make me wonder if the results are reliable. I really just want to know where to go from here. Is the 13 weeks after the experience with the sex worker realiable? What about the 6 weeks after my exgirlfriend? Should I just get tested again? If so, when?
I apologize for the long post and thank you in advance.
I committed some very stupid mistakes recently that now have me very worried that I could be HIV positive. My first experience occurred on Nov. 18 2007 when I received oral sex from a sex worker with no condom. I know this has a low probability of HIV transmission but she had scars on her arms (from needles) and we were in an area where people are known to use meth. Also, she had already been working for a while that day and may have had other men's semen in her mouth. This really worries me because two days later I began having intense heart palpitations which leads me to believe that the drugs in her system may have made their way to my blood system - along with anything else she may have been carrying. Doctors diagnosed the palpitations as anxiety and to this day I cannot consume caffeine or they will reoccur.
At the time, I didn't even consider HIV as a possibility and didn't take the experience with the sex worker seriously (but now I really do). I went to Mexico to visit family and fell in love with a girl in mid December and we began having unprotected vaginal sex (very, very, very stupid of me). Toward the end of December I noticed that white residue would appear on her vagina while we would have sex. I asked her about it and she said it was normal, though I didn't think it was. Two days later (around Christmas time), my penis was irritated and I noticed a few sores. We stopped having sex and the symptoms went away after about a week of applying a cream. We got back together on January 10, 2008 and had unprotected sex again (extremely stupid of me). I asked her about her HIV status and she was insulted and we stopped seeing each other.
On January 28, I began having serious symptoms which included headache, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, loss of appetite,a throat infection (which still hasn't gone away to this day), and minor chest pains. I did not have diarrhea or nausea. I did notice my tounge was very white and that is going away. A doctor diagnosed it as dehydration because of the drinking I was doing the weekend before. I began drinking gatorade and taking antibiotics for the throat infection (which didn't work). The other symptoms went away in early February. The doctor also asked me about my HIV status and suggested I get tested soon. This worried me and I began to read online about HIV and realized that I could very well have been going through seroconversion. I took an antibody test on Feb 1 which came out negative. Since it was so soon, I chose to take a viral load test (Feb 5). The results were positive: 69000 copies/mL; Log 4; set up with a 2 copies/mL minimum. I decided to let my exgirlfriend know and she agreed to both of us taking an antibody test with the condition of never hearing from me again. On February 21, we both took the antibody and both were negative. This is 13 weeks after the experience with the sex worker and exactly 6 weeks after the last time I had sex with my exgirlfriend.
All tests were taken in Mexico, which make me wonder if the results are reliable. I really just want to know where to go from here. Is the 13 weeks after the experience with the sex worker realiable? What about the 6 weeks after my exgirlfriend? Should I just get tested again? If so, when?
I apologize for the long post and thank you in advance.
OK. I just got my 6 month results back - NEGATIVE!!!!!! I have learned so much over the past six months. I have definitely placed health and religion above money and pleasure. I thank God for this blessing and the opportunity to live a long and healthy life, which is worth more than any dollar amount imaginable. I also have made a promise to myself to not turn my back on this issue just because I don't have HIV. I plan to continue to contribute to these forums as well as donate money and/or do volunteer work for HIV/AIDS at least once a year. There has never been a time in my life thatI felt so helpless so I understand how many of the people who get on this site feel. For all who are worried about your HIV status, there is hope! Chances are you are negative, specially if you live in the US. But we can't make progress if we don't change our lifestyles. Thanks to all who replied to my forum. The words of hope were priceless.
You got an excellent answer from Dr.Hook. PCR was not the right test to take in your position, especially that ultrasensitive PCR. Get retested and move on with your life. The odds are overwhelming that you will test negative.
You were more at risk from STIs including HIV with the experience with your ex-girlfriend than the working girl.
I would certainly suggest testing for other STIs paticulkarly Chlamydia given your es-girlfriend's discharge.
Don't use someone elses tests as a proxy for testing yourself, as well as being unreliable it will fuel anxiety.
I would certainly suggest testing for other STIs paticulkarly Chlamydia given your es-girlfriend's discharge.
Don't use someone elses tests as a proxy for testing yourself, as well as being unreliable it will fuel anxiety.
Thanks guys. I went ahead and posted the same question to Dr. H to see what he thinks. Regardless, I will get tested in mid april and whatever happens happens. I guess this is what I get for living such a careless lifestyle.
I agree with HSci: highly unlikely for you to be HIV+. A false positive PCR result is a far more likely scenario - you should have never taken that test.
First, PCRs are prone to false positives (more so than other tests). They are not supposed to be used for diagnosis.
Now, for YOU... 1) Your 13 week result was conclusive regarding your first encounter (which was no risk anyway)... Your 6 week from your last unprotected encounter with your girlfriend is HIGHLY encouraging! It is almost impossible to change, but to be completely sure, I would test at 12 weeks (because intervcourse was involved)
How long ago, though, was your girlfriend's last possible exposure? If your only experience was the sex worker, then you definitely did not give her HIV.
If her last exposure (not counting you) was 12 weeks prior or longer, then you can be assured she does not have HIV (thus could not possibly have passed it on to you).
Even if this is the case, you may choose to test at 12 weeks, just to be completely sure - because the only way you know if her last experience was 12 weeks prior is if you believe her (and it's up to you whether or not to trust someone).
I am confident you are negative, though. You need to make sure she is negative though, and need to retest at 12 weeks to be COMPLETELY sure. Also, just because you are negative it doesn't mean she is negative as HIV is not always transmitted at every chance possible.
Have you been tested for other STDs, I also suggest that.
I hope this is clear.
Now, for YOU... 1) Your 13 week result was conclusive regarding your first encounter (which was no risk anyway)... Your 6 week from your last unprotected encounter with your girlfriend is HIGHLY encouraging! It is almost impossible to change, but to be completely sure, I would test at 12 weeks (because intervcourse was involved)
How long ago, though, was your girlfriend's last possible exposure? If your only experience was the sex worker, then you definitely did not give her HIV.
If her last exposure (not counting you) was 12 weeks prior or longer, then you can be assured she does not have HIV (thus could not possibly have passed it on to you).
Even if this is the case, you may choose to test at 12 weeks, just to be completely sure - because the only way you know if her last experience was 12 weeks prior is if you believe her (and it's up to you whether or not to trust someone).
I am confident you are negative, though. You need to make sure she is negative though, and need to retest at 12 weeks to be COMPLETELY sure. Also, just because you are negative it doesn't mean she is negative as HIV is not always transmitted at every chance possible.
Have you been tested for other STDs, I also suggest that.
I hope this is clear.
You definitely need to retest as Uniquelymen suggested.
It sounds to me like the PCR result was a false positive (possibly a lab error), but don't take chances! Best of luck to you.
It sounds to me like the PCR result was a false positive (possibly a lab error), but don't take chances! Best of luck to you.
Hi there,
A test at the 3rd month would be conclusive for that possible expsoure.
As for 6 weeks result, it is a clear indication but not conclusive. I would recommend a conclsuive test at 3rd month for uprotected intercourse.
Cheers!
A test at the 3rd month would be conclusive for that possible expsoure.
As for 6 weeks result, it is a clear indication but not conclusive. I would recommend a conclsuive test at 3rd month for uprotected intercourse.
Cheers!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
