Woohoo! 8.5 week negative... here is my story, maybe it will help others out with their symptoms and worries

[shaken_55]

I had unprotected vaginal sex with a very promiscuous woman that I had met in a bar. I have been in a monogamous relationship for many years, so this one night stand caused me much anxiety. The next day I had a tingling sensation at the tip of my  penis.  This continued for about 10 days. About two weeks after the encounter I had some swollen lymph nodes and tenderness in my right groin.  I also developed an ulcer on the tip of my tongue and a stiff neck. The tonsils were irritated and I noticed a white discoloration on the back of my tongue. I had trouble sleeping and eating.  I felt very unwell.

Unable to wait any longer I had a PCR-RNA test done 18 days after the exposure.  It came back negative, which greatly reduced my anxiety.  My symptoms quickly vanished. I resumed having sex with my girl friend who has only had sex with me. (I avoided sex with her while I was awaiting my test results... very difficult).

...continued below due to length...

[mike_no]

Undetectable RNA PCR at the 18 th day and NEG. Antibody test at the 8.5 th week means you are HIV NEGATIVE, it's time for you to move on !

I'm happy for you, buddy !

Congrats

[farfromperfect]

Congratulations

[shaken_55]

A few weeks after I resumed unprotected sex with my girl friend, she got a yeast infection (she hasn't had a yeast infection in years).  I googled "yeast infection and HIV" and found sites that state woman with HIV often get yeast infections. The yeast infection quickly cleared up.  Then a few days later she developed a stiff and painful neck. So I googled "stiff neck and HIV" and I found several sites that said people with HIV infection often complain of stiff neck (usually due to swollen lymph nodes or fungal infection) Her yeast infection and neck pain seem way to0 coincidental for my comfort and my anxiety quickly returned. My symptoms soon followed...tingling sensation at the tip of my penis, thin white coating on tongue, and tenderness in my right groin.  I freaked again. I then had a Elias test done at 8.5 weeks.  I just got the results.  I am negative. I also just talk to my girl friend. She went to the Chiropractor and now or neck feels fine. I was just kink.

I would like to thank everyone who offers their wisdom and support to each other. Also, I would like to say that our anxiety can cause many symptoms or the perception of symptoms. My symptoms quickly followed my anxiety. People have many bodily sensation and when they are scared of an HIV infection they begin to over examine and exaggerate their bodily sensations. So just hang in there and try to relax. Learn from your worries and be safe.  Take care everyone. I'm out.