No explanation

I have a full range of symptoms since a risky exposure with a girl I didn't know while abroad.  I tested negative.  Since, then my girlfriend expereicned exactly the same symptoms - she is also negative.

But i know something is not right - I have night sweats almost every night, vivid dreams (I never used to dream) and a very dry throat.

Can there possibly be (no matter how rare) a problem the tests are not picking up?  I live in Ireland

[lookin4answers80]

We can't answer your questions at all if you don't tell us more information. What was the nature of the risky exposure? How long after the risky encounter did you test negative? If it was after three months, your symptoms are not HIV. If your test was before three months had passed since the potential exposure, then there's a chance the test would not have picked up the antibodies and would still show up negative, even if you in fact did contract HIV. But without further information - specifically about how long after the exposure you took the test - no one can say much of anything.

I can say that night sweats and vivid dreams can both be brought on by stress, and a dry throat has nothing at all to do with HIV.

[worried826]

Your symptoms are not even close to the range of symptoms of ARS in the first place. Secondly, even if you did have symptoms they are meaningless when it comes to diagnosing HIV. The blood test is what diagnoses you.

How long ago was the incident in question? How long post possible exposure were you tested?

Vivid dreams, night sweat (without fever) and dry throat are a few of the most common symptoms of anxiety. And the fact that you are on this site asking about HIV shows a level of anxiety as well.

You need a 3 month post possible exposure test to completely rule out HIV, although you and your girls negative tests would be encouraging.

[paranoidaswell]

tHanks

test was after 7 months for me and 4 months for girlfriend - i know that means all should be ok but as soon as we started unprotected sex again she got ill with a rash, fever, night sweats, and stiff neck

[evenflow1121]

You are probably suffering from anxiety a 3 month test is conclusive. Vivid dreams is not a sign of ARS, night sweats can arise due to numerous things including your own anxiety.
What was your risky exposure?

[worried826]

No way neither of you have HIV, you are both way out of the window and the test would have detected it. It does not mean you should be OK, it means you ARE OK!!

Once again those symptoms mean nothing. Neither of you have HIV.

[paranoidaswell]

my exposure was with a girl in africa who bled

[Ms_Mentor]

Did you get tested for other STDs?

[Teak]

Doesn't matter if she bled or not, your test shows that you don't have HIV.