Aa
HIV Anxiety - Cannot stop worrying
Hello Experts,
I really need you help here. This is with regard to a HIV risk that i might have been exposed to. I am in late 20s and 17 months ago (4th May 2013) i had a risky sexual encounter with a CSW in singapore. I had protected oral and then protected vaginal sex with her but to my dismay on retracting i found that the condom remained in her and i was unable to see whether it was hanging out or not. I had remained inside her for a short time (a minute possibly) after ejaculation. The CSW seemed quite satisfied that the entire ejaculate remained in the condom( a little below the tip). However, since i am unsure whether the condom slipped between the time of ejaculation and the retraction or only during the retraction, i consider it an HIV exposure. The status of the CSW is not known as I did not ask her. But she made sure that we had protected sex.
I have had rapid finger prick blood tests for HIV at 2.5, 6 , 7 and 10.5 wks, 4.5 months, 8 months and 1 Year i.e. my last test was about 4.5 months ago in May 2014. All resulting negative. Also, have tested -ve for Chlamydia and gonorrhea at 17 days and syphilis at 17 and 45 days and 4.5 months.
I continue to worry about becoming HIV positive and have though about going for PCR -RNA test. But the problem is I am damn scared to get tested as i fear that I might be +ve since the last test 4.5 months ago and my life and the women that i have fallen in love with since then will be lost.
I want to know if there is any possibility whatsoever that the tests up till 1 year might have missed the anti bodies or that i might have seroconverted since my last test.
Are there any factors that may cause to seroconvert after one year?
I had episode of sore throat, cold and cough about 2.5 months ago and since then i am have post nasal drip and swollen glands in the throat.
I am in a serious loving relationship with a girl since then who know about this and firmly believes in the test results. I am so scared of losing her and my future that I am unable to enjoy life and work or my time with her.
Please advise me on this, i dont want to live like this .
Looking forward to hearing from you.
I really need you help here. This is with regard to a HIV risk that i might have been exposed to. I am in late 20s and 17 months ago (4th May 2013) i had a risky sexual encounter with a CSW in singapore. I had protected oral and then protected vaginal sex with her but to my dismay on retracting i found that the condom remained in her and i was unable to see whether it was hanging out or not. I had remained inside her for a short time (a minute possibly) after ejaculation. The CSW seemed quite satisfied that the entire ejaculate remained in the condom( a little below the tip). However, since i am unsure whether the condom slipped between the time of ejaculation and the retraction or only during the retraction, i consider it an HIV exposure. The status of the CSW is not known as I did not ask her. But she made sure that we had protected sex.
I have had rapid finger prick blood tests for HIV at 2.5, 6 , 7 and 10.5 wks, 4.5 months, 8 months and 1 Year i.e. my last test was about 4.5 months ago in May 2014. All resulting negative. Also, have tested -ve for Chlamydia and gonorrhea at 17 days and syphilis at 17 and 45 days and 4.5 months.
I continue to worry about becoming HIV positive and have though about going for PCR -RNA test. But the problem is I am damn scared to get tested as i fear that I might be +ve since the last test 4.5 months ago and my life and the women that i have fallen in love with since then will be lost.
I want to know if there is any possibility whatsoever that the tests up till 1 year might have missed the anti bodies or that i might have seroconverted since my last test.
Are there any factors that may cause to seroconvert after one year?
I had episode of sore throat, cold and cough about 2.5 months ago and since then i am have post nasal drip and swollen glands in the throat.
I am in a serious loving relationship with a girl since then who know about this and firmly believes in the test results. I am so scared of losing her and my future that I am unable to enjoy life and work or my time with her.
Please advise me on this, i dont want to live like this .
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Answer
You are safe from HIV :). Its time for you to spend some light romantic moments with your loved one coz you donot have HIV. You have done enough tests which were not needed as HIV detects in 28 days via 4th generation tests. There have been no cases of a person turning hiv positive after 1 year of his initial exposure. Symtoms dont decide HIV presence, its only blood test that detects it. Your symtoms are cartainly not any symtom for HIV. They might be normal cold but not all related to HIV I am sure of this :).
Regards,
Nikhil
Regards,
Nikhil
Thanks Nikhil,
I have got the same reply at the testing center and also from Doctors but i am somehow not able too believe it though i really really want to.
Also i have only had the antibody rapid blood tests and not the duo test.
My girlfriend thinks i have developed OCD. I want to believe my results and not worry any more but the thoughts of "what if" always creep in and ruin whatever confidence i have in the results.
is it physically possible to seroconvert after say 8-10 months post exposure?
thanks.
I have got the same reply at the testing center and also from Doctors but i am somehow not able too believe it though i really really want to.
Also i have only had the antibody rapid blood tests and not the duo test.
My girlfriend thinks i have developed OCD. I want to believe my results and not worry any more but the thoughts of "what if" always creep in and ruin whatever confidence i have in the results.
is it physically possible to seroconvert after say 8-10 months post exposure?
thanks.
Ok just one answer and your OCD will be gone in minutes.
Currently technology is advanced. The latests blood tests that we have is 4th generation where the window period is reduced from 3 months to 28 dates. If there would have been possibilities of a human being converting positive after 8-10 months post exposure then there should be invention of a blood test with window period 8-10 months. Now go back to the start of the answer, technology has reduced the window period from 90 days to 28 days. If we go by your query, technology by now would have introduced atleast 1 test for people who convert positive after 8-10 months? But theres no suck test as the case is invalid. Its simple logic. Indeed its OCD. But OCD will always trouble you and wont be of any help. You are letting OCD take over your good days. Come out of it, smell fresh flower, eat good food, listen to music, exercise, go to parties, medidate, there are so many things to do in life then why give OCD a chance to consume all your time? Rapid anibody blood tests detect the antibodies that are developed in the infected human being within 3-4 weeks. In your case you have tested yourself so manytimes, if you would have been infected your test would have displayed you are positive. You are negative. Go party with your love :)
Currently technology is advanced. The latests blood tests that we have is 4th generation where the window period is reduced from 3 months to 28 dates. If there would have been possibilities of a human being converting positive after 8-10 months post exposure then there should be invention of a blood test with window period 8-10 months. Now go back to the start of the answer, technology has reduced the window period from 90 days to 28 days. If we go by your query, technology by now would have introduced atleast 1 test for people who convert positive after 8-10 months? But theres no suck test as the case is invalid. Its simple logic. Indeed its OCD. But OCD will always trouble you and wont be of any help. You are letting OCD take over your good days. Come out of it, smell fresh flower, eat good food, listen to music, exercise, go to parties, medidate, there are so many things to do in life then why give OCD a chance to consume all your time? Rapid anibody blood tests detect the antibodies that are developed in the infected human being within 3-4 weeks. In your case you have tested yourself so manytimes, if you would have been infected your test would have displayed you are positive. You are negative. Go party with your love :)
Thanks again Nikhil.
So you say i have absolutely no reason and need to be tested again ?
Do let me know.
thanks
So you say i have absolutely no reason and need to be tested again ?
Do let me know.
thanks
Thanks Nikhil for the help. i will try to find the belief on the test results.
Please take a look at the 2 posts claiming herbal cure of HIV/AIDS.
Are the reports authentic.
thanks.
Please take a look at the 2 posts claiming herbal cure of HIV/AIDS.
Are the reports authentic.
thanks.
Just to reiterate, you can completely forget HIV as a concern from your encounter.
As per the excellent advice above, you can move on safe in the knowledge you are HIV Negatuve :)
As per the excellent advice above, you can move on safe in the knowledge you are HIV Negatuve :)
Thanks rocket27rocket,
i am going through a rough time due to my anxiety which i know is based on little scientific evidence. I am trying to get over it but am failing miserably. :(
i have this sinking feeling that i might lose everything that i have in my life now and this feeling keeps coming back again and again and making me unable to function normally.
thanks again for the support.
i am going through a rough time due to my anxiety which i know is based on little scientific evidence. I am trying to get over it but am failing miserably. :(
i have this sinking feeling that i might lose everything that i have in my life now and this feeling keeps coming back again and again and making me unable to function normally.
thanks again for the support.
You are welcome.
I too have been there, - the anxiety is made worse because you value so much what you hold dear to yourself - this is normal.
The truth is that you may Don't have HIV and that you CAN start to live again... Don't let the worry consume you...
If you had caught HIV, your tests would show this...
You are conclusively HIV Negative with everything to play for in life.
Best Wishes
James
I too have been there, - the anxiety is made worse because you value so much what you hold dear to yourself - this is normal.
The truth is that you may Don't have HIV and that you CAN start to live again... Don't let the worry consume you...
If you had caught HIV, your tests would show this...
You are conclusively HIV Negative with everything to play for in life.
Best Wishes
James
Thanks James for the reply.
Just the last question that when u said that " you MAY don't have HIV" in your last post do You mean that there is a possibility that I may have it?
Do reply.
Thanks.
Just the last question that when u said that " you MAY don't have HIV" in your last post do You mean that there is a possibility that I may have it?
Do reply.
Thanks.
Thanks for the reply James.
I am getting panic attacks and my gf is worried about me getting depressed and thinks I have developed OCD.
I just keep thinking of 'what ifs' ahh.
How to make myself believe it.:(
-
I am getting panic attacks and my gf is worried about me getting depressed and thinks I have developed OCD.
I just keep thinking of 'what ifs' ahh.
How to make myself believe it.:(
-
Hi both,
Apologies for being repetitive but I need your help yet again. I only have had 3rd gen Alere Determine ab rapid finger prick test, no other rigorous lab based test and now I find myself questioning the accuracy of it after reading conflicting reports of rapid tests not being very accurate. Is there any need for me whatsoever to go for a lab based test for me to be absolutely sure or do I need to go for anxiety therapy?
I also keep thinking of seroconverting after the last test. Is it possible to seroconvert after 6 months?
Many Thanks.
Apologies for being repetitive but I need your help yet again. I only have had 3rd gen Alere Determine ab rapid finger prick test, no other rigorous lab based test and now I find myself questioning the accuracy of it after reading conflicting reports of rapid tests not being very accurate. Is there any need for me whatsoever to go for a lab based test for me to be absolutely sure or do I need to go for anxiety therapy?
I also keep thinking of seroconverting after the last test. Is it possible to seroconvert after 6 months?
Many Thanks.
I agree with your GF, it sounds like you've become obsessed with HIV, and your anxiety levels are high. Anxiety will cause you to "what if" everything, which is exactly what you're doing.
Your risk was EXTREMELY low to begin with (if you even had a risk, it's hard to say), and you've tested WELL beyond the window period. It's biologically impossible that you would have HIV and not have tested + for it by now.
Get yourself some professional help to deal with the anxiety. You don't have an HIV concern, at all.
Your risk was EXTREMELY low to begin with (if you even had a risk, it's hard to say), and you've tested WELL beyond the window period. It's biologically impossible that you would have HIV and not have tested + for it by now.
Get yourself some professional help to deal with the anxiety. You don't have an HIV concern, at all.
Thanks a million Nursegirl for the quick reply.
You said:
"It's biologically impossible that you would have HIV and not have tested + for it by now"
I have not tested recently, my last test (3rd gen ab rapid blood test - alere Determine) was in May 2014 ie 375 days post exposure, does this change your above-mentioned statement?
Also as i said all my tests have been 3rd gen Alere Determine ab rapid finger prick test, no other rigorous lab based test I find myself questioning the accuracy of it after reading conflicting reports of rapid tests (all of them 3rd gen in my case) not being very accurate.
May i ask you if there is any need whatsoever for me to go for a lab based test for me to be absolutely sure?
thank you once again.
You said:
"It's biologically impossible that you would have HIV and not have tested + for it by now"
I have not tested recently, my last test (3rd gen ab rapid blood test - alere Determine) was in May 2014 ie 375 days post exposure, does this change your above-mentioned statement?
Also as i said all my tests have been 3rd gen Alere Determine ab rapid finger prick test, no other rigorous lab based test I find myself questioning the accuracy of it after reading conflicting reports of rapid tests (all of them 3rd gen in my case) not being very accurate.
May i ask you if there is any need whatsoever for me to go for a lab based test for me to be absolutely sure?
thank you once again.
You tested a YEAR after your exposure. Your result is more than conclusive. You don't need anymore testing.
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.
Apologies, I was using my iPad which I hate with a passion...
There is no 'may' about it, it is definitely a 'don't have' - apologies for the typo!
You really can move on and forget about this now :)
James