How convinced with 6 week test

[paranoid22]

Hey guys,

Just a general question.  How convinced are you guys with the 6 week window period?  I know the average seroconversion time is 25 days, but has anyone seen any data showing that most people will have detectable antibodys by 6 weeks?

I know the good doc believes in the 6 weeks window, but what do you guys think?

regards

P

[paranoid22]

ok guys, i'd just like to thank you all, ur all a gr8 support for me.

I've read the comments from the doc many times, and i know he says 6 weeks is pritty conclusive. So 7 weeks has got to be better.  Its just little doubt in my head.  So you guys think all my symptoms can be stress related? and the sore throat just a coincidence? everyone seems to have colds at the mo here in england.  My girlfriend got a sore throat just after i had mine, her glands came up in her neck, she had a runny nose, and hot flushes.  That is what has caused me really concern.

regards

P.

[xworriedx]

You are going through EXACTLY what I went through, all the what if's and fear.

I believe thats all your problem is ...guit and fear of giving HIV to your girlfriend. (I felt exactly the same way to the point of coming to tears when alone) *not normal* I consider myself a "tough guy" :)

Like I said, if you were to become positive after 7 weeks you would  have to be one VERY VERY UNLUCKY guy. I honestly don't think your that special man :)

From everthing ive read a 6 week negative turning positive just doesnt happen these days. all the data about 3 months is  out of date.

I dont think your going to be able to let it go until your 3 month mark from the sounds of it. I really hope you do, and I wish you the best of luck. (You dont need luck)

God Bless

[paranoid22]

I've just gotta hold out to the 3 month mark, that will be full closure for me, i've got 4 weeks to go. Its going to be hard, but i suppose what happens now is written in history, i cant change it.  I just pray to god that all turns out well for me. Wish me luck,

regards

P.

[peekawho]

I feel so badly for you, and also for everyone who tortures themselves with a bad case of the "what ifs".

The fact is, you KNOW the facts, you KNOW that your symptoms mean nothing in regards to HIV, you KNOW that your 7 week test is conclusive, you KNOW you don't have HIV, and yet you still worry.  Someone else said will you still worry at 3 months?  6 months? A year?  Quite possibly, you will.  

I don't see what else anyone can say or do to help you with your inner struggles.  I think you are making yourself worse, not better with posting here and other places.  

You don't have HIV, and your girlfriend didn't get something from you that you never had.  What else can we say to help you?

[paranoid22]

Peekawho,

thanks that quite possibly could be the kick up the arse i need!  I need to stop thinking about the what if's, and start looking at the facts.  Your right.

I'm gunna try do that now, we'l see how it goes, positive mental attitude is what i need.  

The facts:

1. Protected sex with more than likely regulated sex worker
2. 3 negative HIV tests, from week 2, 4 and 7.

Must be hiv free.

regards

P.

[xworriedx]

I cant wait till you get your three month NEGATIVE test back and you will see that all this worry and fear has been for nothing.

I wish you the best for sure ....I HONESTLY believe that you are HIV-

If you hadnt tested at 6+ weeks I woudlnt be so sure ...but since you have I know you dont have HIV and neither do I.

God Bless

[catwith9lives?]

I was in the exact same situation too and have accepted the negative result at 6 weeks (40.25 days).  I was just watching a show where a pipe bomb was made by pouring gasoline into a condom.  The detectives said that the gasoline did not seap or go through the condom in the three hours that the bomb was sitting there.  Silly story, I know, but it shows how reliable condoms are.  I would thank God for being negative and move on.  We learned from our stupid mistake and we will never have to go through this again.  Be happy, like me and xworriedx.  All three of us are negative.  It took me about a week after my results to truly believe it.

[zaki]

hey, if 6 weeks is ok. how about rapid 1 hour test, which came back negative in 10.5 weeks, am feeling a bit insecure, but how ever, do u think it will change, whats the dr opinion, and if its ok, den how do i get over dis

[xworriedx]

I believe in the 6 week window.

I was in the exact same shoes as you ...protected vag sex with a sex worker.

I was tested at 6 weeks and it was Negative. I am almost at the 4 month mark now and Im not restesting because I know I dont have HIV. It did take a while to belive it though.

I suggest you get some mental help. There is nothing wrong with that ..HIV scares the **** out of people and can really mess your mind up.

BTW I also have a girlfriend and the guilt of it all was tearing me  up ...I didnt have any kind of sex with her until my 6 week negative though.

You have to think about this:

1: You dont know that the sex worker had HIV (odds are she didnt)

2: You were PROTECTED

3: You have been tested at 7 weeks. NEGATIVE

4: Dr H has never seen anyone using modern testing test NEGATIVE at 6 weeks go on to test positive.

5: You already know everything I just said to you :)

[xworriedx]

Also I would read this post and see what Xhost has to say about it all

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/HIVSupport/messages/476.html

Very good post from Xhost.

[paranoid22]

also another question,

My test was the combined HIV 1 and 2 Antibody and P24 Antigen,

are these tests classed as 4th Generation?

regards

P

[peekawho]

Do you think Dr. H. believes in the 6 week time frame, like some children believe in Santa?  It is based on studies and fact.  

And he's said literally hundreds of times that all HIV tests in use in the developed world are up to date and accurate.  

Go back and search the archives on the HIV forum, and you'll see his exact wording.

[xworriedx]

Well, I live in Canada, and my own Dr assured me that we are "up to date" when it comes to HIV testing.

I cant say for sure when gen of test you had but I would say for sure it falls into the "modern" catigory.

Ive also read on here many times that MASS uses the 6 week guidline as "conclusive" and generation of test doesnt matter.

So basically you have two options, ...sweat out the next 6 weeks and get retested.

Or move on with your life.

What happens when you get your three month NEGATIVE though? are you going to worry about 6 months? and then a year?

I know its hard man ...You think your going to be the first person to come back on these fourms and say your positive after 6 weeks.

Well ...Your not.

[paranoid22]

Yeah i do think that i'm gunna be the first, half my brain believes it but the other half says dont be so daft.  My test was taken at 7 weeks, also tested at 2 and 4 weeks, for antibody and antigen.  I keep telling myself that the antigen would of shown in my earlier tests if i had hiv.  But the fact i've shown symptoms, i.e. weight loss, fatigue, sore throat, makes me think twice.  And the scariest thing of all is that my girlfriend has shown symptoms too.  I had unprotected sex with her twice a few days after my exposure, i know this was wrong, and i know that i'm an idiot, but i really didnt believe i had anythin to worry about at that stage, due to condoms being used during my infedelity.  I'm scared for my girlfriend, really am! I wont be able to live with myself if the worst happens.

I've just gotta pray my 7 week test was accurate.

regards

P.

[Xhost]

I think Peakawho said it best here. If I were you, I would spend some more time reading through what the doc has to say on this matter (and I would certainly do that before reading anything else on this subject). It may help calm you down a bit.