Unprotected Insertive Anal Exposure... Please Help!

My exposure was unprotected insertive anal sex (after condom failure) with ejaculation occuring June 1st. The guy said he tested NEG a month prior but didn't seem concerned at all, which makes me suspicious.
2 - 3 days after the event I developed fever + sore throat and three days later I went to the hospital and was told I had Strep throat and was treated with a shot of antibiotic.
On week 3, I tested NEG via OraQuick. Since then, I've had discomfort in my lymph nodes area of the neck, underarms, groin, and behind the knee but none seem to be really swollen except for maybe the ones on my neck.
I went this past Saturday for a 6 week test but the counselor refused to test me saying I need to return at the end of 13 weeks because even if the test is NEG now, I still need to re-test then.
Tuesday, I woke up with a fever of 100.8 F that was climbing.
I went to a different testing site, and had the OraQuick Rapid Advance test performed. Results were NEG! I don't know what to think. I know the window period is 12/ 13 weeks but should I take comfort in my result?
It's been 6.5 weeks, could I be seroconverting now? Or could this fever be something else?
It's Saturday, and I still have a fever but have been controlling it with OTC meds. Along with it, I'm now having other symptoms to suggest a cold/ flu ( itchy, watery eyes, runny/ stuffy nose, dry cough, sneezing) so I guess that's "good" sign? HELP!...

[regularjoey]

Take another test at three months, but expect a negative result now.

[Teak]

100.8 fever take a tylenol.

[MiamiLat]

Still sick :( ...

[nerviouskid]

You had a high risk.  

Your fever and other symptoms have nothing to do with HIV at this point.  But you certainly do need a confirmative test done at 12/13 weeks mark for the risk you had, but like Joey said, expect a most likely negative result.  Don't panic.

There are enough people out there who don't seem to care about their risky sexual lifestyle, but you don't appear to be one of them.  Next time just insist on a condom.

[MiamiLat]

Thanx buddy...

[te-ay]

your advice to me waqs spot on. now all i have to say is that if i had a 6 week negative test i would be juping for joy- you should too. your'e gona be just fine.

[MiamiLat]

I'm anxious and getting depressed. My fever is gone since Sunday but i'm having some stomach issues, loss of apetite, and I'm feeling tired. I'm afraid the fever might come back...
I keep hoping i'm OK...

[MiamiLat]

Any more advice?

[te-ay]

hi,
your'e gonna be ok. As i said talk to a close friend for support. I did and it helped me. He even went to the testing site with me . T ease your fears you can take another test at 8 weeks, then 10 weeks,then 12 weeks. Don't worry peoplemay say your'e over testing , the wait between your 6.5 test and 3 months is long. go for the 8 week test. As that will be negative you'll breathe easier knowing that your'e closer to the light than the darkness. Every negative result makes you feel better and you worry less and the symptoms diminish.

[MiamiLat]

Thanks for your words. I think my "friends" are tired of me freaking out. I guess you would have to be going through this same ordeal to understand.
Do you have messenger? My aol is crcollazos
Maybe we can chat on there or talk on phone. I need help getting through this...
Thanx...

[MiamiLat]

Oh no! I woke up with a cold sore on my lip! I've gotten this from time to time in the past, but isn't it also a sign of a weakened immune system?

[MiamiLat]

By "insertive" I mean the "giver",  not receiver. I wish you luck as well...

[Marins]

Hi,

First, I am going through the exact same thing as you, but a much more recent exposure (days) - so it's too early for me to do anything about it other than wait (and stress).

Now if I am reading this correctly, by insertive, are you saying you were the receiver? If so, then it is the exact same situation I am in.

I know it's the highest risk and what is stressing me out most is the risk of the activity and how stupid I was to get into such a situation (details don't really matter at this point). Now I have spoken with my partner, before, directly after as well as a few times the past few days and he has told me he is d/d free, hiv negative, last tested about a month ago (negative), etc. He hasn't said anything to make me think otherwise and as 100% certain I was about my status before that encounter, there is still element of doubt on his status (he flt out lied, maybe told the truth but had some risky exposure that wouldn't have been picked up in his last test, etc).

The thing is this. I am feeling a lot of things right now, and in my case it is 100% stress. I even have a slight cold / canker sore although it is better today than it was yesterday when it started. I have felt all this before (not hiv / std related) and know it's stress and it seems from your case that is the same cause as well.

The thing is this, you may feel and experience things that could be the result of an HIV exposure, but the only way to know for certain if you have HIV is to get a conclusive test. Your 6 month results are good and encouraging, but it's the 12 week test that would tell you the result and hopefully put your mind at ease.

I know it's difficult not to think about it, but to be honest, there is little you can do until your 12 week test. I am trying to find things to keep me occupied, take my mind off of things, and it has helped a bit, but I do think about it in general quite often. I am not convinced that I have HIV but I am not ignorant as well and know that I was at a high risk and a positive result is not out of the question. However despite what I currently feel or may experience before the 3 month test, sure I might draw correlations to HIV/ARS , etc. but it won't convince that I have it until I see my test results.

To answer your specific question, a cold / canker sore can be the result of a weakened immune system, but does not mean not is proper diagnosis for an HIV positive status. It is also called by stressed and other factors that can result in a weakened immune system.

I am not sure if any of this really helps, and I wish you the best. Keep us updated on how things go (particularly your 12 week test). I plan to do the same as I work through this as well.

[Teak]

No, it isn't a sign of a weakened immune system.

[Teak]

Cold sores or canker sores are not a sign of a weak immune system.

[Marins]

Sorry for my "mininformation". I am certain I read in a few places that cold / canker sores can be caused by a weakened immune system. If my sources were incorrect, thus my comment, I apologize for that incorrect information.

[MiamiLat]

9 weeks down, 3 to go... trying to hang in there...

[regularjoey]

It's OK to worry, but don't let it take over your life!
Has a doctor diagnosed any actual LN swelling?

[regularjoey]

You already have a 6-week negative under your belt.
It's highly unlikely to change.
I think you'll be fine

[MiamiLat]

No, I haven't been to doctor since I had the Strep throat in the beginning.

[MiamiLat]

Thank you for your supportive words of encouragement. I try to focus on the fact you mention but then I feel tenderness and soreness on my neck and armpits from time to time and I can't help but worry. I guess it's just part of the "window limbo"...

[regularjoey]

If you think you have swollen lymph nodes, show them to a doctor.
Chances are that you're wrong, anxiety can lead to painful sensations.
At any rate, try to stay busy, keep your mind off HIV, take your test and expect a negative.

[MiamiLat]

Thank you Joey, I hope so...

[MiamiLat]

My anxiety has been getting the best of me, so I went today for my 10 wk Oraquick Rapid Advance... results were NEG!!! My symptoms threw me off and I feared the worst but now I feel relieved. I know results aren't conclusive until 12/ 13 wks but now I feel more confident. Thanks to those who responded to my post and have been helping me through this...

[regularjoey]

Congrats on your test result!  Hope you're feeling better

[MiamiLat]

Thanx Joey, I sincerely appreciate your continued moral support...

[MiamiLat]

What are the chances of my NEG 10 wks OraQuick result changing when I go for my 13 wk conclusive test?

[peekawho]

Virtually zero.  

[MiamiLat]

Really? I hope you're right!
I guess I'm having doubts thinking maybe there weren't enough antibodies present for the OraQuick to pick up in the oral fluid sample.

[Panicman]

Hey Miami, It's me Panicman. I just wanted to say congrats on your 10 week neg test, and I'm definitely sure that your 13 week will be neg too.

As for myself, I ended up getting tested last Monday out of panic and that test came back negative. I know it's way too soon to say I'm in the clear, but it gives me hope that I will be neg as well come my 6 week test.

On the 22nd I'll be getting a full STD test to make sure that I am clean in all other regards. I honestly believe that I'll be ok, but I know that if I get any bad results from the STD test that I'll probably be a nervous wreck all over again. As it stands, it's been 10 days since the encounter and I don't have any signs of ARS or anything, I know it's still 4 days away from the expected time period, but that also gives me hope.

But all in all I think you have nothing to worry about. I hope that I'll be able to stand next to you and say the same soon. Take it easy in the mean time.

[MiamiLat]

I'm glad your test was NEG. Now u have a baseline result. I wish you good luck on your STD checkup and follow-up HIV tests. Keep hope alive and keep me updated...