HOW CONCLUSIVE IS A DUO TEST THREE WEEKS AFTER HIV EXPOSURE?

[ConcernedColin]

23 days ago, I got drunk and made the dumbest mistake of my life. I had about ten minutes of unprotected sex with a prostitute (stupid, I know). Five days after the incident, I noticed a pain in my shoulders. Then my hands and feet started tingling (pins and needles) two days later. Then came the diarrhea, and extreme pain in my legs. After 18 days, I had a p24 antigen test. The results were non-reactive. I'm going for an antibody test in three weeks, which will be six weeks after exposure. I would like to know how conclusive these results are? And how large was my risk? By the way, I am uncircumcised, and live in South Africa, which has the highest number of HIV positive people in the world.
Please help. I look forward to your responses.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello, as stated --  symptoms are not used to diagnose HIV.  Only testing diagnoses this and you've had one negative.  HIV is not an easy virus to contract and the odds are very much in your favor.  Good luck with your final testing and we are not closing this discussion.

***  thread closed ***

[ConcernedColin]

Just noticed a white coating on my tongue. Did the spit test. I have oral thrush (another symptom) of HIV. Still waiting for the 6 week mark, but it's not looking good. I still have explosive diarrhea, and my whole body hurts like never before. IF YOURE GOING TO HAVE SEX, PLEASE USE A CONDOM. A FEW MINUTES OF PLEASURE ARENT WORTH A LIFETIME OF BAD HEALTH!

[AnxiousNoMore]

People who didn't even have any risk (but think they did) post about their white tongue here all the time, so obviously that proves nothing. Same with the diarrhea and the meds you are on.

[ConcernedColin]

Ok. Quick question. I got over the counter meds for my diarrhea. If the meds don't solve the diarrhea, is it safe to assume it's being caused by acute HIV infection?

[AnxiousNoMore]

Unintelligible post but the subject matter.seems to be symptoms which is always going to be a dead end so no matter how many times you ask it, symptoms prove nothing.

[ConcernedColin]

Ok. One more question and I promise I'll stop. I have chills, but they're isolated to my legs. Do chills affect the whole body or can they just affect one part of the body. Thank you
(Going to get tested next week at the six month mark)

[ConcernedColin]

Meant to say 6 week mark

[ConcernedColin]

Could someone please answer this question. I promise I'll stop as soon as I get clarity on this matter.

[AnxiousNoMore]

Reread the advice rather than rephrasing your questions for no useful purpose.

[ConcernedColin]

Couldn't wait for the six week mark. Got a rapid antibody test today (5 week mark) Negative. Still WAAY to early to celebrate, but we'll see how it goes.

[ConcernedColin]

Thank you so much. I'll keep you posted.

[ConcernedColin]

I'll book for a duo test so I can just know once and for all. Still have explosive diarrhea and my muscles hurt like never before. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Chima7]

I don't see why it's so hard for you to accept that you're on psych meds which have proven to cause the exact side effects that you're describing. And why you haven't addressed this with your psych doc to have your meds adjusted instead of jumping to the erroneous conclusion that you've been infected with HIV.

[Chima7]

Sounds like side effects from the medications you're taking. You really need to share those side effects with your psych doc to make him or her aware so they can keep track and/or make adjustments to your dose if needed.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Please note that symptoms are not used to diagnose HIV.  You've tested negative once, and are testing again.  Your six weeks will give you the final answer you are seeking.  Please see your doctor for any other symptoms you are having as they are most likely unrelated to HIV.  We wish you the best.  

[ConcernedColin]

Almost certain this **** is HIV. Fatigue and night sweats have been added to my list of symptoms. Worst part is the diarrhea and the body aches. Never had such severe cases of either symptoms. I've been on anti-psychotic medicine (Seroquel) and antidepressants (Cipralex) for the past 19 days or so. These pills are mood stabilizers, and I've been seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist since the incident, so it's impossible for anxiety to be the cause of my symptoms. I'll update when I get tested, but it's not looking good. Just the fact that I am uncircumcised and I live in a country where 70% of the sex workers are HIV positive is enough for me to get a pretty good indication of where I stand. The body aches and diarrhea have been going even during instances where I feel calm for the meds. Like I said, I'll post an update after the results, but it's not looking good. Add to the fact that I'm a backslidden Christian, and it's almost certain God is punishing me for abandoning Christianity. PLEASE LET THIS BE A CAUTIONARY TALE TO ANYONE WHO'S THINKING OF HAVING SEX WHILE THEY'RE DRUNK. ALCOHOL AND SEX DON'T MIX, ESPECIALLY IF THE SEX IS PRE-MARITAL>

[ConcernedColin]

Also can't stand to be in even slightly cold environments. Don't know if that qualifies as chills. Not asking for a risk assessment. My fate is sealed. Just want others to learn from my foolishness.

[Sotiredoffeelingtired]

Check the side effects for those new medications that you are taking.  It looks like Seroquel can cause at least fatigue and sweating.

[ConcernedColin]

Forgot to mention that I have also been suffering from a dry cough as well

[AnxiousNoMore]

Your risk is obviously unquantifiable for multiple reasons, such as not knowing the status of your partner. This is not a high school biology exam to cheat on and maybe get a pass result, and instead you have to follow time guidelines to get a useful result.
Self diagnosed symptoms don't prove anything and they are unreliable for multiple reasons as well and doctors do not diagnose by symptoms anyway. Try to relax while waiting to do a conclusive test, because nothing is pointing to HIV.

[ConcernedColin]

Ok. Thank you. I'll post an update when I get tested.