HIV risk and symptoms need help!!

Ok so i had vaginal intercourse on the 1st of april and the condom split inside a girl of unknown status. I know she sleeps about but she hasnt been diagnosed with it but is at very hish risk due to lots of unprotected sex with partners and oral.
2 days after exposure i feel slightly ill at work but this then goes within a couple hours.
1 week after exposure i start feeling unwell and feeling cold when its not cold. i also feel my groin area shaking/shivering
2 weeks i develop swollen glands and start feeling drowsy with aches and pains assosciated
on the 3rd i start developing a pimple like rash on the chest and a few on the neck which is pinkish in colour and gos away and comes back even til today, blocked nose, acne on the face (which i never had before) and headaches. i also suffer from hayfever
now i only experience muscle spasms (all over) the rash and still swollen glands and it is now the 12th week since exposure
the girl i ahd slept with also supposingly had fever, sore throat and headaches but i know i cannot of caught the flu off her due to me not getting close enough to of caught it.
i have been tested numerous times at the nhs gum clinic


3 weeks 21 april- negative
4 weeks 28 april - negative
9 weeks 3rd june - negative

i got the girl tested on the 19th of may and the results came back the other day as negative due to her nurse being away on vacation

i don't know whether they was 3rd generation or 4th but i know my area is quite updated in the uk and has high standards

pleasee help me what does this sound like i;m very confused as i know if it was hiv it should of shown up i've been very depressed from day 1 and had suicidal thoughts etc i need some help and advice can you please help!!!!! i dont want to go for another test
:'( :'(

[Teak]

3 months is when you can obtain your conclusive negative test result. Your test results so far are an indication of what your final test results will be.

[onemansstand]

even with unprotected sex the chance of being infected with HIV is so small.... less than 1%. but after 3 tests in 9 weeks and you're Negative..... Plus you got the girl tested..... I think you can relax.

[Teak]

Only a 3 month negative test is conclusive.

[worried_death]

i'm just mostly concerned about symptoms. i know alot of them could be due to anxiety but it's just a coincidence and i know the chances are small but i'm aware she could of caught it within 1 - 2 months before i was exposed which puts me at high risk as this is the time she could be most infectious. my gp rang a hiv specialist before my 3rd test he said the 4 week test is over 95?% reliable and the last test i'd done would be the final result and there would be no need in going back at 3months....is this true?

[Teak]

No that isn't true. The only conclusive negative test is one taken a 3 months post exposure.

[joggen]

Believe the HIV specialist. NOBODY on this forum has the qualifications to trump the recommendations of an HIV specialist.

Your HIV specialist is in complete agreement with Medhelp's doctors (Expert Forum) about the conclusiveness of HIV test results. Both doctors here agree that the '3 month rule' is overly conservative and outdated. They base their information on their own personal experiences as well as those of hundreds of other experts in the field.

Please refer to the Expert Forum for more information on this; this forum will only confuse you.

Your partner is also negative. There is no realistic chance you have HIV. As onemanstand said, you can relax and move on.

[Teak]

There is no test approved to give a conclusive negative test earlier than three months.

[LIZZIE LOU]

the CURRENT guideline is 3 months for a conclusive result and NOBODY should advise differently.

[worried_death]

thanks for the replys, only thing i'm confused to why my gp and the specialist says "you do not have hiv and no further testing is needed as the tests are more reilable nowadays"
yet everywhere i read tells me 3 months or it can take upto 6 months! everything just contradicts another. and i know 95% i didn't catch the flu due to me only receiving oral and having sex by "doggystyle" i didn't get close enough to her to have caught something airbourne or whatever. do you think i can rely on my results and be sure if i go for another it is 99.99%  to be negative or do you think i have a chance of it changing ?

[nursegirl6572]

You are wrong.  MOST communicable diseases you can get just by being in the same ROOM (building) as an infected person.  You're mixed up about that.

There IS a lot of contradiction in testing guideline recommendations.  Right NOW, the current window period for testing after an exposure is 3 months.  The facts are, the tests these days are VERY sensitive, therefore a conclusive result is probably obtained much sooner, but still the guidelines on testing remain the same until they are officially changed.

Unless you have terminal cancer, have had an organ transplant, are on chemo, etc...you dont have to test beyond 3 months.

A test a 3 months will give you conclusive "take it to the bank" results.

[worriedoz]

Hi Worried Death,

Did you retest?

Good luck

[Teak]

When one of the manufactures comes out with a test that will give a conclusive negative test earlier than what their test approval states is when we will change the conclusive time line. At this time there is NO MARKETED tests that are FDA approved to give a conclusive negative result earlier than 3 months and the ONLY official guidelines are based on the MANUFACTURE and the FDA.

[worried_death]

no i haven't next time it's open is monday so i'll have to go then i guess but in the 2 weeks waiting perioud is the times im at my worst and most anxious :(
i know that manafactures obv put 3 months as conclusive but other people say they "know" the tests are alot better then this which is why i don't know what to believe as many say even a negative at 4- 6 weeks is very reliable and by 8 - 10 weeks it is very very accurate around 99.7%. even my doctor says they will not offer me anymore tests as its a waste of useful resources i honestly dont know what to do/believe

[Jasonone473]

The traditional up to date guidelines are to test after three months for absolute conclusive results, testing before that within the 6-8 weeks is a good indicator not likely to change. Can never be too careful with things like this. Until another FDA approved test says otherwise, three months is absolutely conclusive, everything else is just a persons opinion.

[joggen]

It's not opinion, the doctors make their determinations based on logic and common sense.

If someone has a 1 in 1,000,000 risk of contracting HIV, and the chance of a false negative at 9 weeks is 1 in 100, their chance of having HIV is reduced to 1 in 100 million- zero for practical purposes. Additional testing that turns that chance to 1 in several billion   does not add anything to the diagnostic value of the test, which is why it is a waste of resources. This is why the conclusive time line is best left in the hands of doctors, not bureaucrats at government agencies.

[LIZZIE LOU]

a conclusive result is 3 months.  until that guideline is changed...the 3 month rule applies.

[worried_death]

i'm just wondering if you experience symptoms earlier does this mean you will show up earlier as you've already seroconverted?

[Teak]

When one of the manufactures comes out with a test that will give a conclusive negative test earlier than what their test approval states is when we will change the conclusive time line. At this time there is NO MARKETED tests that are FDA approved to give a conclusive negative result earlier than 3 months and the ONLY official guidelines are based on the MANUFACTURE and the FDA.

[worried_death]

im not asking on "approved" results i'm asking based on some good experience

[Teak]

You have been given the facts.

[worried_death]

i just want to know whether my recent result is reliable and what are the chances so i don't have to worry while waiting for my results to come back.

[Teak]

What is worrying going to do? You can't fix what you broke and worry won't do a bit of good.

[joggen]

It is IMPOSSIBLE that you have HIV. Your partner was negative, you can't get it if your partner didn't have it, and your negative test results are completely reliable. Your risk was so low to start with, you never really needed a test in the first place except to relieve your anxiety. Please see my journal, "HIV Risk in Perspective"

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/97340?personal_page_id=497979

The evidence that you are negative is OVERWHELMING. I would bet both of my kidneys that you do not have HIV given the facts of your case.

I really think that you would get your money's worth if you posted to the doctors in the Expert Forum- they have the experience that you are seeking and will undoubtedly assure you that you are okay.

[Teak]

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/88524?personal_page_id=434

When one of the manufactures comes out with a test that will give a conclusive negative test earlier than what their test approval states is when we will change the conclusive time line. At this time there is NO MARKETED tests that are FDA approved to give a conclusive negative result earlier than 3 months and the ONLY official guidelines are based on the MANUFACTURE and the FDA.

[worried_death]

just a follow up, my doctors saying she won't do no more tests as the hiv specialist recons hes 100% sure i don't have it and forwarded me to pshyciatrist. can i rely on what hes saying if not what should i do ?

[nursegirl6572]

Re-read the answers you've been given.....I personally always recommend a person having a 3 month test for a conclusive result.  A 9 week negative is basically NOT going to change...but there HAVE been people who have tested POS later than that, albeit extremely rare.

Personally, I would say you are fine...and if you are comfortable with the 9 week pos, then that's great.  If you would rather take the conservative stance and have a repeat test at 3 months, just go to a local clinic, since the doctor doesn't want to recommend further testing.

Also, I wanted to clear something up too...the fact that you had your partner tested is VERY reassuring...but for the sake of information in this forum...even that isn't a guaruntee if a person is still within their own window period and hasn't tested POS yet.  They would still be able to transmit the virus.

All the evidence in your case is very reassuring that you have nothing to worry about.

[worried_death]

ive just broke out in a blotchy rash on the chest this is now 3months + from the exposure apart from the tiny little pink  pin pricks which come come on forearms and chest i've seen for quite a while now which also come and go

[worried_death]

its mainly when i smoke weed aswell i feel like no control over my body, pains allover yet ive smoked for years now it isnt the same!!!!!  i can feel something not right within me. despite my negs can it be hiv not showing up for 2 months on me and this girl????????

[Teak]

Then I suggest you quit smoking weed.

[worried_death]

but thats what concerns me ive been smoking for so long so i know how i usually feel then all a sudden i have this incident and i cant even smoke weed no more because it makes me feel as if im about to pass out and as if my neck is closing in tight can hiv do this to my body so quick?

[Teak]

No..HIV doesn't do that at all.

[worried_death]

so why the hell doesn't my doctor know it's as if they've left me in a hole since my 9 week test being negative. im experiencing so much symptoms right now i feel as my whole body is dieng more everyday i'm only 18 so it cannot be anything else

[worried_death]

plus would i get rash 3 monthsexposue or just one primary rash

[Teak]

Has nothing to do with HIV.

[worried_death]

it must be due to hiv or something. i NEVER had these before so why would they be there all sudden now i'm not myself?

[Teak]

Nothing to do with HIV, it came on to late to be HIV related.

[nursegirl6572]

There is nothing more we can tell you....you are convinced you have HIV despite our reassurances that you likely do NOT.  I would recommend going to a clinic and getting a test, as you are past the 3 month mark, which would make your test conclusive....and hopefully you can finally put this behind you.

NOTHING you have described is even remotely consistent with HIV symptoms.  You need to stop smoking weed for many reasons....mainly b/c it overall increases anxiety and depression, not to mention paranoia...and you aren't thinking rationally as it is right now.

If you get another test and STILL cannot accept your NEG results, then it is time to get some professional help.  There is nothing more we can do for you on this forum.

[worried_death]

I feel like i'm dieng :( my lips are swelling up im breakin out in itchy rashes i feel like my bodys about to explode. i've went for another test but it wont be until next week monday i can go in and view my results

[Teak]

See your doctor. HIV rashes don't itch.

[nursegirl6572]

Your "symptoms" sound 100% stress/anxiety induced.  You need to get your anxiety under control.  When you get your results bext week....finally put this behind you.

In the meantime...seek some help for your anxiety.  You are really most likely worrying about NOTHING!

[worried_death]

ok so my 12 or 13 week came back negative but i'm experiencing a whole range of symptoms and generally feeling like i am dieng. i've had bloods done, sti's and urine and nothings shown up. My lips even feel numb and i;m very young so i doubt it would be anything else and would of shown up. Is the test 100% reliable at 12 weeks?

[joggen]

"Is the test 100% reliable at 12 weeks?"

Yes, you are now considered conclusively negative. You do not have HIV.

It is time for you to move on from this forum. There is nothing more that anyone can do for you here.

[worried_death]

thats also exactly what i have since my sexual exposure including many neuropathic like pains  headaches stiff neck crawling skin numb lips frequent yeast infections acne breaking out on face, change in skin colour etc. thats most probably only about 1/5 of my symptoms a nd theres many more just after the sexual encounter my condom splits? coincidence isnt it, my doctor wont help nomore i dont know what to do. maybe it was a false negative?

[joggen]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusive negative results or a no-risk situation will be based up the criteria MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[joggen]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusive negative results or a no-risk situation will be based up the criteria MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.