(HIV/STD) I read a lot of ?'s before this, please help me!

[broncos27]

I just want to thank you for being here for all of us….you really helps a lot!  I looked at all the questions but I couldn’t find anything like mine.  Before I ask my question I am a 22 year old male, no drugs.  This is my first time having sex (sad I know), but this is the reason why I’m scared…I’m new at this stuff.  I had sex with a 22 year old female who I work with who is from Arizona (she has been with maybe 5-7 other men).  We had both sex and oral….please help me out, I don’t know what to do with myself.    
I had unprotected sex (stupid I know) and about 8-11 weeks later I have been having some “symptoms” of something, but I don’t know what.  My lymph nodes in my groin are bothering me (a lot of people claim this), I have had 3 night sweats in a row withOUT a fever(some people claim this), my joints are popping more then I think they ever have (no one claims this, people talk about pain in joints, but cracking joints(Is that anything)... but this biggest thing that’s bothering me is I have a red spot on the tip of my tongue with the out side of the bump a white-ish tent to it.  So the outskirt is white-ish and the rest is red.  I have the same bump on my wedding finger as well.  I can’t find anyone on the web site who asked about these bumps or cracking joints.  It’s been 11 weeks sense my last intercourse…I don’t know if it’s a sign of HIV, STD’s, or nothing at all.  Is it too soon for you to develop spots like this in your tongue if you had HIV or an STD, does it sound like anything??  I was tested for both HIV and STD’s 7 weeks after my unprotected mistake (we had sex 3 times).  I know you talk about after 6 weeks you are looking good if you are negative, should I get tested again, are these bumps symptoms of anything….please, anything would help…a comment would help me a lot.  I’m a getting scared and I don’t have a lot of money so the doctor is more money I don’t have.  The $15 donation I know will help you guys out, but please let it help me out as well.  A comment from you or anyone would mean a lot!  Thank you! Sorry its long.    

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You clearly have an inaccurate perspective on how unsafe sex is.  Your symptoms are meaningless; the test result proves you don't have HIV.  Seven weeks is plenty of time to rely on the result.  And the odds your partner was infected, and if she was, the odds you were infected, both were vanishingly low.

If you can't afford a private provider, visit a community clinic or your local health department for low cost (perhaps free) expert care.  But in the meantime, relax and mellow out.  You're home free.  But use condoms next time, to maximize safety and reduce your anxieties.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Rob73!]

It's amazing, how many WW's are driven by symptoms alone! Dude, as the good Dr will tell you it's pretty much a cut and dried situation here. Yu've tested @ 7 weeks after your expsoure and it's negative. I would try and let this one go.

Symptoms are never and indication of HIV infection only testing will give you the answer.

I would suggest seeking professional help to allay your overwhelming fear of HIV.

[sparkeler]

No your tongue wouldn't be white this early.  And no you don't have hiv.  You would be one unlucky dude if you contracted it the first and only time you had sex. Seriously, read up on the odds of transmission.  From woman to man, the chance you contracted it is 1 in 2000.  I think you are just anxious about actually having sex for the first time, especially w/a girl that you question.  It's not sad that you waited this long to lose your virginity.  Next time you have sex, wear a hat, or make sure it's with somebody you trust and remain monogomous with, i.e., a girlfriend.

[skerdstraght68]

"In the case of the most sensitive anti-HIV tests currently recommended, the window period is about three weeks. This period may be longer if less sensitive tests are used."

- United Nations web site...

[redskin786]

What tests would this be skerdstraight?  Can this test be the ELISA HIV-1 test administered by LabCorp?  Cause thats the test I had, I think, at the 3 week mark and it was negative, thank god.  This weekend will be my 6 weeks and I plan on testing again and, inshallah, it will be negative again.  Please let me know if you have any answers to the above question.

Thanks.

[redskin786]

What tests would this be skerdstraight?  Can this test be the ELISA HIV-1 test administered by LabCorp?  Cause thats the test I had, I think, at the 3 week mark and it was negative, thank god.  This weekend will be my 6 weeks and I plan on testing again and, inshallah, it will be negative again.  Please let me know if you have any answers to the above question.

Thanks.

[shygirl1981]

have you talked to the girl about this, are you still seeing her?

[Brian123]

You state:
"I had unprotected sex (stupid I know) and about 8-11 weeks later I have been having some “symptoms” of something, but I don’t know what."

Typical ARS symptoms would not have occurred this late at time.
Perons infected with inital onset of HIV would have typical ARS symptoms within 3-4 weeks. This does not fit your criteria.

You state that you had tested 7 weeks later.  The test was determined negative. If you were indeed infected with HIV, the test would have read "inderteminate"...which would have meant that you were sero-converting. This was NOT the case. You are negative for HIV.

Consider the heightened anxiety of your new sexual experience and the fact that you tested negative @ 7 weeks (apprx. 97% reliable), you seem to be unsatisfied with the results.....regardless of the advice provided to you via this forum....I think MD HHH will reiterate this same kind of response to you in his response.

If you are not fully satisfied by the reflection(s) presented to you, it would be my suggestion(s) that you:
(a) get tested @ the 3 month mark for your own personal sense of emotional security.
(b) re-evaluate your sex life with future partners
(c) and...if...you still are unsatisfied with your 3 month test...which I would guarantee would be negative....you need to speak to someone (a professional, or someone who is knowlegeable of HIV risks and counseling to calm your fears).

P.S.
The generation of tests should not be a factor considered in HIV testing today.
As MD HHH will state to you, the tests as early as 20 years ago picked up HIV infection as soon as 3-4 weeks (90-95%). The later generation of tests were called 2,3,4 generation tests....which only affected the original 1st generation of HIV testing by a matter of a couple of days.

Good Luck...and ALWAYS stay safe.

B.

[godhelp]

your comment regarding HIV testing generation makes a huge impact .
If the effeciency/sensativity difference between 1st generation & 2nd/3rd/4th generation tests is just a couple of days , then indeed NOONE shud worry after a test at 6 weeks+ mark.
is this really true & correct?
do you have any links to more information on this aspect?

[Brian123]

Actually the statement about the generation of tests was asked several months ago on the HIV Forum.  It was reflected in one of MD HHH's answers.  I cannot remember per say the thread it was attached to.
Testing at 6 weeks would conlcude a viable answer to HIV detection.
At that point the test would read a determinable positive, negative, or indeterminate response.  The generation of test is significant in today's world.  Most companies such as Lab Corp. and Quest Diagnostics use the most modern, up-to-date testing methods and procedures.  Beyond 4 weeks the testing generation is insignificant.


B.

[broncos27]

This should be it....So after my question yesterday I went to the doc office and was tested for HIV (making it week 11).  I just got the results bakc and its neg!!  The only thing that is still KINDA holding me back is the fact I had another night sweat last night (WITHOUT a temp)...I just want to leave this alone...I never want to think about HIV again!  So anyone (Doc or others), what are the night sweats for???  After 11 weeks it makes it a 100%...so why night sweats??????  You have no idea how bad I just want to walk away from this ****.  I also still have a lil of the white **** on my tongue (around the red spots)...this means nothing right???  I'm sorry for being "that guy" who thinks about HIV way to much...but this is my last question....please DOC, or someone else....help my put this to rest....Thank you all for your help...it mwans a lot and it has helped a lot.....the night sweats are messing me up!!!!!!

[monkeyflower]

You don't have HIV, regardless of your "night sweats" (do you wake up absolutely drenched? Are your sheets soaking wet? If not, it's not a night sweat). Let it go. If you can't, then seek counseling. If you can't afford it/don't have insurance, some providers will work on a sliding scale.

[Red Fish 88]

The same thing was going on with me as well.  I would wake up with my t-shirt so wet you wring out a gallon of sweat.  The funny thing was, once I convinced myslf that I did not have HIV, the night sweats went away.  I would be willing to bet that your night sweats you are having are due to anxiety, the same as me.
Try to let it go and get on with living your life.  Best of luck.

Red

[broncos27]

I'm starting to feel a little better...I went on a walk today to try and relax.  I'm starting my job up again to keep myself busy (Also in school).  I just dont understand why my joints are popping...just non-stop.  The night sweats...I think its just cause Im beyond scared about all of this, and the white part on my tongue scares me as well.  I saw you were using number on some ?'s on the chances of someone having HIV.  Can you do that for me??  Whats up with my joints?? And whats up with the white part on my tongue???  
Today I started to have some sharp pains in my body....no certain area...just random places
I have no fever and my glands are fine....please just help me out with this last comment....thank you so much....this web site has helped a lot!

[skerdstraght68]

I had some joint popping to at around 12-15 weeks.  I test neg at 10 btw.  I could only attribute it to weight fluctuations in the body.  I know when I was freaking and not eating,  I weighed 180ish.  After I was done freaking I was back to 190.  I think the weight fluctuation might have something to do with the preassue on the joints.  I looked and joint popping doesnt seem to be HIV related. You would know if it was.  Might be anxiety.

[skerdstraght68]

or the obvious.. Muscel tension due to stress...

[godhelp]

I strongly suggest that input given by Dr.HHH & reminded by Brian123 , with regard to testing time should be well noted & considered by all worried wells .
"Beyond 4 weeks.. test generation is insignificant"
"even a 1st generation test would be slower than 2/3/4 by only couple of days (what the heck..let's consider 2 weeks)" =
6 weeks should indeed be conclusive"

but then why should i/we believe in above ? here's why..
I am one of the destined ones to have a HIV scare "twice" in my life . One is now for which i am browsing this forum since 2 months . I already tested neg. at 6 weeks(42 days exactly) . i am still very very anxious, worried & sick & i have had a sore throat for 2 months now . so much for this recent exposure scare .

7 years ago , i had unprotected raw sex with a latin girl & approx. 5 weeks later i had burning sensation on my penis head , a little fever ,.....never mind the symptoms.
i am alien in a foreign land(taiwan)
i was going to be married in 3 weeks time , when this burining sensation started , so did anxiety & what not..!!
i walked into a public government hospital & told the whole situation to the doctor & told him that i want to be tested in a way to know for sure..because if i have it.. i am definately not getting married. i have no right to spoil anyone's life over my stupid mistake .
that was 1 month + 15-20 days post event . let's say 45 days.
test was standard HIV-ab test + other std's also tested .
got the test result in a week.. negative for all.
i asked the doctor "is it sure ?"....his reply "yes"
do i need to come test again?..."no"
don't they say sometimes need 3 or 6 months?.."no , you are ok"
can i have sex with my future wife?..."yes , just do it"
so much for the testing & diagnosed negative .
did my symptoms go away ?  no
i had burning on my penis head for almost over 2 months .
later was treated for UTI(urinary tract infection caused by E.coli bacteria). my anxiety remained high all the time , lost weight like crazy..etc.
I got married.. then got worried even more with everything botteled up inside me alone & finally got over the anxiety slowly.

Mind you.. i am talking about a foreigner being tested at a Big public hospital in Taiwan . The doc. would never take the risk of declaring a false or an early negative on a foreigner coz that would definately cost him his job , career & license . He has to be absolutely sure to give me the green signal to go ahead , get married & even get ur life-partner to our country. A case of hiv-positive foreigner is reported to DOH within 24 hours & the person is deported out of country within few days. That's a strict guideline in almost all countries .
So , this was the confidence levied in hiv testing 7 years ago .
So imagine where we stand today with better tests ..i.e. 2/3/4 generations .

6 weeks should be considered conclusive & definitive..except in immunosuppressed conditions.. which obviously cannot be hidden or not be known by a person having em.

sorry for a long post , but it's all based on first hand facts & episode i went through myself . i hope it helps many of us here (including me myself too) to think straight .

[broncos27]

....Coming up neg after 11 weeks is good right, cause a lot of web sites say you need to be tested at 12 or 13 weeks.  Do you think I'm ok at 11 weeks??  This sucks!!!!

[godhelp]

you are clear & you dont have any reason to worry about HIV anymore .
nightsweats , white thing on your toungue , popping pain in joints..etc.etc. symptoms = anxiety & stress
try this consiously ; anytime u feel anything.. just remind yourself that you already got tested & you are free from HIV .
read a good book before goin off to sleep . that will give u some good sleep.. which in turn will take care of these anxiety symptoms automatically .

[shygirl1981]

dude, you are 100% healthy, you don't need to test again.