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Hiv Concern Anyone Have Real Answers Not Sugar Coated Ones?

I first want to take the time to thank anyone who has taken time out of there busy lives to read my story and possibly provide me with an answer.  I very much appreciate you thank you!

Exposure: male to female unprotected sex exposure

I had unprotected sex 2 days in a row stupid I know under the influence how dumb am I!  Tested for hiv immediately 1 week after exposure and then again for all sti and stds syphilis , clymadia , gonnerha ,  hepatitis abc 2 weeks out all came back negative.  It was to early for hiv and hep c testing so at the 5 and a half week mark I got ordered the p24 hiv 1 & 2 ag ab combo test by Abbott which came back none reactive.  I also had an ebv test which was slightly raised but nothing that was alarming.  Doctor told me your probably just having the virus pass by you and that was that.  I also had an ultra sound which had no problems as well with regular blood work that first showed a decrease in white blood cells but then a regular one after 4 weeks.  The whole time I also tested my partner at 5 weeks 9 weeks and 12 weeks going by my window period with rapid hiv tests all came back negative also other stis and stds for anything abnormal all negative on the last test.   I went for my hiv testing at 3 months negative and then 4 months again for all stds and stis all negative and then at 5 months hiv rapid test negative.  My 6 month mark is due in a couple days so I hope the end result is negative.  

My symptoms throughout that has me worried first developed dry skin on scrotal region that flaked all off and was shinny red this was 2 weeks after exposure with horrible fatigue accompanied by drenched night sweats.  Developed scrotal pain and had swollen lymphnodes in neck which made smoking and drinking intollerable.  Scrotal pain subsided and went to pelvic pain after a month malaise had rash on neck face shoulder and chest at 1 month mark.  Developed an overgrowth of candida on my tongue and when I smoked a cigarette developed skin sores on arm.  All symptoms have subsided except oral candida growth in mouth and pelvic pain with fatigue at 6 months mark.  I'm so scared one infection specialist said it can take up to 1 year to develope antibodies.  Others are telling me 3 months 6 months what to believe anymore?  Not the most healthiest person don't eat so healthy nore do I excersize.  I smoke cigarettes and drink when the night is right.

My questions

1. What is the official window period to be conclusive about hiv and other stds and stis?

2. How good is the p24 hiv 1/2 ag ab combo at 38 days?

3. Does anyone know what these symptoms might also be associated with?

4. What are the chances my antibodies are being delayed by other coinfection that I am not currently aware about?

5. Has anyone experienced a nasty pelvic pain that comes and goes?
29 Responses
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Avatar universal
You don't know that, people's immune systems are different and produce in different ways.   Peoples immune systems have different ways to reacting to infections.  2005 is not so long ago and people have been telling everyone cdc has changed its guidelines 10 or so years ago.   Not saying I'm a doctor but I'm an avid researcher that has done my fair share of reading.  We know some of the symptoms of acute infection and are aware of what happens internally through out the body with hiv.  Symptoms cannot base a means of infection but should be looked at carefully rather then disregarding an infection as well.  Teak by the way you keep telling people rap it up and you won't be on this forum well it's funny how you didn't take your own advice.  Were all humans, humans that make mistakes understand before giving an understanding.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Today in 2013 nobody would take longer than 3 months to seroconvert so that story is not an issue to the window period of 3 months post--exposure.
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Avatar universal
Wow that's crazy he was diagnosed 1 year after and he works in a medical field setting!?  I guess there is no guidelines or test that's 100 percent everyone rap it up.  
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Avatar universal
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Avatar universal
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVI8iCoWoY     I just ran across this video any explanation to this at all?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maybe your doctor should start to investigate other causes of your symptoms. You have very strong evidence against HIV infection:
- negative combo test at 5.5 weeks
- negative antibody test at 3, 4, and 5 months

Remember what we said earlier, you cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms, only on tests.

Also, consider the following. IF your symptoms were related to acute infection you would have tested positive on an antibody test, you have not.

Please be assured that your 6 month test will be negative

In the meantime, try to do something to put your mind at ease.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What about hiv 3dcr or a subtype that is harder to detect I think all of this plays an important role in all this maybe even a coinfection.  I am pretty much waiting on my positive diagnoses soon I've had enough of feeling uneasy and tired.   I just want to be diagnosed properly to start medication so I can have my life back.  I'm worried but i'm also hopeful in the near future a cure will be found.  For now I just want to live to see that day and get the treatment I need so I can make it that far!  I've gained weight in my abdominal and pectoral region while losing weight mass in arms and legs.  I have an over growth of candida on my to tongue and feel weak and tired through out my day.  I have sores that develop on my arms that are unexplained all the tests are negative but I'm just waiting for the antibodies to start producing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She is very wrong.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
"Never say never because there can always be a variable where the antibodies aren't being produced or delayed."

In the past, YEARS ago, when tests were far less sensitive, this was true (albeit rare).  With modern day tests, people test positive very quickly, within weeks of their exposure.  3 months is conclusive, and most people don't require nearly that long to be definitively diagnosed.  You're stuck on old info that is no longer relevant.

You do not need to test past 3 months.  ANY negative result along the way drastically reduces the likelihood that you have HIV.  That being said, I would expect a negative result.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Never say never because there can always be a variable where the antibodies aren't being produced or delayed.  I'm telling you even my physician was waiting for a positive result at one point.  He was surprised at my p24 ag ab combo and also my multiple antibody tests coming back negative.  It's just odd to me my tongue is still having white spots and I'm still experiencing fatigue :(.  He was ready to diagnose me with hiv but nothing has come back positive yet.  I just pray it's something curable or just an answer to my situation I hate being in the dark about what's wrong with me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Again,there is no such window period for HIV as 6 months,it's 3 months.
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Avatar universal
I pray that's a fact because if it is then I'm in the clear but let's see what happens at my 6 month test!
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Avatar universal
No HIV specialist says to test out to 6 months and 1 year is absurd.It's 3 months--end of story & that's not sugar coated either--that's a fact.
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Avatar universal
Teak thanks for the obvious duh I learned my lesson remember the key note intoxicated was in the equation!  Thanks hangon51 and cantexas I'm currently recieving a diagnosis of vitamin d deficiency from my health care physician!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can believe your test results. Negative tests ALWAYS outweight symptoms. You have no reason to believe that your tests are incorrect or inaccurate.

You said: "The whole time I also tested my partner at 5 weeks 9 weeks and 12 weeks going by my window period with rapid hiv tests all came back negative" - This is additional evidence in your favor
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is perplexing isn't it?

I try to be as non-judgmental as I can as folks in here are really freaked out.

When will it sink in that all it takes is a condom and you never have to post on medhelp or worry about a window period?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey I can't wait either for my negative results but feeling this horrible right after the sexual exposure what else can I do??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
what else can I do??

See your doctor. Forget about HIV cause whatever ails you ain't HIV.
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Avatar universal
Hey I can't wait either for my negative results but feeling this horrible right after the sexual exposure what else can I do??

Should have thought about that before having unprotected sex, HIV has been around for 30+ years.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey I can't wait either for my negative results but feeling this horrible right after the sexual exposure what else can I do??
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Avatar universal
Do whatever you must to put your mind at rest, but know that your negative test at 5 months will not change.
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Avatar universal
Don't need test at 6 months.
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Avatar universal
If that is what it takes then go ahead.
It is unnecessary but you must do what you must do.
I am looking forward to your negative results posts at six and 12 months.
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Avatar universal
I will test one more time at 6 months and once at a year I'll keep you posted on results in the mean time I am staying abstinent!
Helpful - 0
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