Going Crazy

[YngGayMan]

Hi Guys,

Was hoping i could get your opinion on this one.

Heres the full story, about 10 weeks ago I had protected receptive sex and unprotected oral sex with a man who claimed to be negative.  About a week after I develop a severe sore throat, which once I checked out tested "slight positive" for strep.  Anyways, I finally mustered up the courage and thinking I had waited six weeks, I went and got tested with the Oral Rapid Test.  NEGATIVE! Turns out it was only about 40 days post exposure.

At six and a half weeks I developed body aches for about a day followed about 2-3 days of Diarreah, I was travelling and others noted they were having stomach issues as well.

Around week 8.5 I develop a severe cold, productive cough, runny nose, horse voice that has now lasted about a week and a half.

I am now approaching week 10, and I am going to go for a confirmatory result at week 12/13 as I know it will be the only thing that gives me piece of mind.

However I am still going crazy, what are my chances of testing positive at this point?

[mike_no]

Why would you even wanna know it?
I think you should reread what Xhost told ya

You did not have a risk and thats the bottom line

btw I'm yet to read a 6 week result changing

[YngGayMan]

Thanks Xhost!

I appreciate it,

to everyone, is it normal to begin symptoms at 6.5 weeks?  or is this just a scary coincidence?

Also, is it normal to test positive after a 40 day oral rapid test?

[YngGayMan]

Thanks Xhost!

I appreciate it,

to everyone, is it normal to begin symptoms at 6.5 weeks?  or is this just a scary coincidence?

Also, is it normal to test positive after a 40 day oral rapid test?

[Xhost]

Yng,

You played safe, you wore a condom. This is a good thing, a smart thing. Oral sex is not really an issue here, nor is the protected sex. You have nothing to fear in terms of HIV.

OK, so you're worried, and anxious. A lot of people here are, some with good reason, some with not such good reason. I would put you into the latter category, as you really, really don't have much to worry about. In fact, you have nothing to worry about, as you did not catch HIV from the encounter that you described. Keep using condoms for anal sex, and you will remain HIV negative.

As for your "symptoms", let's look at those:

>At six and a half weeks I developed body aches for about a day followed about 2-3 days of Diarreah, I was travelling and others noted they were having stomach issues as well.

You caught a bug, or had something to eat that did not agree with you. It happens all the time. And, as others in your group also complained of the same symptoms, why do you attach any importance at all to this?

>Around week 8.5 I develop a severe cold, productive cough, runny nose, horse voice that has now lasted about a week and a half.

Congrats, you've caught a cold. It's a virus, but not the one you're thinking of.

Believe me, I know how it is, I've walked my own mile in your shoes. But believe me when I tell you that you don't need to walk this mile. Honestly. You had protected sex, meaning, protected from HIV and a host of other STDs. Keep doing it: sex is a wonderful thing. Just remember to always play safe and smart (as you have done so far) and you will enjoy a life free from HIV.

If you feel you must, sure, go ahead and get a 12 week test. But what you shouldn't do is sweat out these last few weeks. Your 12 week test *will* be negative. Once you get it, go on about your life and try to forget all this.

Good luck to you, though you don't need luck right now, you just need a bit of perspective.