Symptoms/Testing Options?

[canadiangirl905]

I had a potentially risky encounter 14 days ago (I was drunk, so do not know if penetrative intercourse took place) with someone who's status I do not know. Previous to this my last sexual encounter was in May, and I did a full test panel on June 7th (included rapid HIV).

As of yesterday, I am experiencing swollen lymph nodes in my neck and other flu-like symptoms.
It is clear I have a great deal of anxiety surrounding this risk so I was just wondering what testing options I have this early on, waiting 28 days just seems like a life time at this point considering how much I am now freaking out about symptoms.
Is there anything I can do? Any tests that I could take at this point?

Thank you

[CurfewX]

The advice above is NOT correct - a person can be infected from a single instance of unprotected sex.  It is accurate to state that it's not that easy to get HIV, though.  And, you can't even remember if anything happened or not.

Any negative test is a good sign, but it's not conclusive until 28 days post-exposure.  It would be a good idea to ask the other party if you did, indeed, have sex.

[canadiangirl905]

I am not able to get in contact with them. Partially why the anxiety is so severe. I have an appointment to speak to a counsellor who administers the test and discuss my options/symptoms further. Is the rapid test conclusive at 28 days? Or just combo? I am on the fence about whether my swollen lymph nodes are actually lymph nodes because they are small, red and look like two bug bites on my hairline but I am not a doctor so who is to say. I also had an episode all last night of cold sweats with no fever, which I also understand could be from my anxiety. Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hi there.  Our forum members have accurately written that HIV is not diagnosed by symptoms, that it is unclear if you even had a risk and that the only way to know 100 percent if you did have a risk is to test at 28 days.  Because there is nothing to add to that, we're closing this thread.  We wish you the best.

************************  Thread Closed  *********************************************

[canadiangirl905]

Sorry to be freaking out again -- I am still aware that there can be no diagnosis based on symptoms. But, yesterday after all of this during the evening I had two bouts of vomiting and could not even keep water down, still with sweating and chills. I also woke up this morning with a mild sore throat. Still no fever, rash or any more swollen lymph nodes but I am just wondering if these flu like symptoms at exactly 2 weeks are suggestive of a newly inquired infection? Once the vomiting started I became convinced. But it that only lasted for a day, the rest of the symptoms have been for about 3 days.  

[CurfewX]

Your symptoms don't sound like ARS - they are way too spotty and mild to be so.

It's the combo (or DUO) test that you want to take at 28 days.

[canadiangirl905]

Ok. That makes me feel a little bit better. Too much reading online led me to believe that my cold sweats, chills, possible painful swollen lymph nodes (on one side of neck) and brief episode of vomiting within this 2 week time frame, with the coupled issue of my partner ignoring my messages was too much of a coincidence not to be ARS.  I will try to hold out till the 28 day mark and hope for the best. Thank you very much.

[pakistan1107]

HIV is not determined through symptoms. STOP GOOGLING.
You should get tested after 4 weeks and take another test at 84 days or 12 weeks, just to be sure.
If your 4 week test is negative then your 12 weeks test will be negative.
Furthermore HIV is not that easy to transmit. If you have atleast 10 regular episodes of sexual activity only than there is a chance that you might have been infected.
One episode is not much of a risk. But its good to get tested.

Good luck

[canadiangirl905]

Thank you for your response. I know it is not but due to my symptoms (that I've never experienced before) and the timing of them, with my anxiety I just can't shake the idea. Although they are not severe and I do not have a fever or a sore throat, the painful bumps on my neck are worrying me. So the combo/p24 test should not be taken until 4 weeks indefinitely? Like if I took it next week at the 21 day mark, would it not be effective in even giving me a bit of comfort untill I can wait to 6 weeks?

[canadiangirl905]

Through my googling it says that some people could come up positive with RNA or P24/Antibody by 2 weeks? Should I go get one of these tests? The anxiety of these symptoms is freaking me out even though I know that symptoms are not to be relied upon. Please anyone?