HOME HIV KIT-teak, mike, anyone?

[cluelessintexas]

Do you happen to know if this kit is reliable???

[cluelessintexas]

Are you past your 12-13 week window yet?  I hope everything comes out negative for you. =)
Let me know.  I will be praying for you.

I have not had a fever or rash, but that doesn't mean anything.  I remember Teak saying that he didn't get any symptoms.

I am soo scared.  

How are you holding up????

[cluelessintexas]

What is my MSN?  Sorry, as I am new to this forum.

Thanks1 =)

[bluebell81]

Hopefully this will ease your mind hon...in ARS lymph nodes will NOT BE PAINFUL. Have you been pressing on them a lot? If you press on them too much you can actually make them swell and become painful.

Have you had a fever of 101 or greater for 7-10 days in a row? Or a rash? That is a major indicator of ARS.

Do you live near a major city? Call an AIDS/HIV hotline and many urban hospitals have STD clinics with rapid tests. I live in Seattle and went to Public Health and they havent charged me for anything.

[imworried5454]

clueless give me your MSN I want to help you get through this and maybe you can help me too.

[cluelessintexas]

I know symptoms do not mean anything.. but my lymph nodes are sore and somewhat swollen in my neck, underarm and lower leg.

My throat and head hurts.. I am getting a burning sensation in my legs and feet.

[cluelessintexas]

So my odds increases not in my favor..I just read that HIV is more common in African Americans.

1- Non protected vaginal sex
2- internal bleeding
3-he is african american
4-he gave me herpes.

I am so stressed and nervous, I think I am about to have a break down.

Someone please help me.

[cluelessintexas]

Thanks.  I hope I don't have anything.  =0(

[Jaguar83]

The oral test is similar to the rapid blood except for the fact that they swab your gums (rather, you do it) with the business end of the 'stick' and then put it in the buffer solution. Same way of checking...a T and C line both appear if you're unlucky...

Good luck clueless.

[cluelessintexas]

I'm 32.  I found a few free clinics, but they did not offer rapid test.  

What is the oral test?  How do they do that???  I thought you could only detect it through anti-bodies in the blood???

[Jaguar83]

The testing center I went to (near downtown Denver) was fantastic (probably because I was neg). Free (I'm 24, just made the cutoff), rapid (20 min) oral tests. If you're on the younger side, I suggest it in the city (downtown) at a children's hospital (if avail); usually por gratis. The people there have seen a lot and know their stuff. Good luck.

[cluelessintexas]

I have found a testing center in my area that does rapid 1-hr testing.  I am going to go on Wednesday, my 6 week mark.

Thanks again for all of your help.  =0)

[mike_no]

About the testing centers, don't try asking them any thing about testing time and transmission cuz all they do is read out from the script they have and would provide you generic answers, that won't help.

[cluelessintexas]

I'm sorry.. Get what information?  About the rapid test?  6 week test??

[mike_no]

1.I think, you should call up your local HIV/AIDS helpline and get that information right, just google " HIV helpline + TX" .

2. I just answered that question in your other thread.

[cluelessintexas]

Do I get the 20 minute rapid test at an std clinic??  I am coming to my 6 week mark, not quite though.. and I wanted to test just to get an idea.  

Do you know if many people have tested positive after a 6-week negative test????

[Teak]

Home Access is the only FDA approved test in the US.

[mike_no]

Though it is an approved test, I don't advise people to go for it since most of the time they have problems in accepting the result and further speculate it.

Simply, go for the 20 mins rapid test, it's fast and very reliable.

[Teak]

Just go to a drug store and pick it up.

[cluelessintexas]

That's the one that I am talking about.  I saw a place where you can order it online.  I just didn't know if it was accurate.