question regarding machine and method used, and the window period

[samus88]

Hello,
My exposure was about 7 months ago.
I tested for hiv  39 days after exposure-the count was 0.18 s/co
again 78 days after exposure-0.26 s/co
lastly on 83 days after exposure,that is i tested on the 84th day after exposure and the count was 0.28 s/co
All three tests were non reactive...
The method was CMIA
machine was: Architect-State of the Art Machine
Company:Abbot
The lab website says they have many abbot machines and i think it is: Architect i 2000sr,not sure but it is Architect.....

1)Can anyone tell me about the Architect Machine and method....is it reliable?
2)websites say that the cmia is good for early infection,can it also detect later infections like 83,84 days after exposure?
3) Is it as effective as other tests and if so what is the final window period for this test and machine used?
4)Does the slight increase in count s/co over the period mean anything?
5) Dr Bob says to test again at 6 months repeatedly to many people,should i retest?
6) Finally i need to ask that i tested on the 84th day and not 84 days after exposure,according to which i should test on the 85th day....

Kindly someone be kind enough to answer all my questions and advise me for future?
Thanks,Regards.

[nursegirl6572]

Why continue to give warnings?  Read the rules Teak posted. You continue to violate them.

"Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp."
You have a conclusive negative.

We already answered your question almost two months ago, and already told you to that NOTHING, no meds, nothing will affect your HIV results.

You're obviously not working very hard with your mental health team, if this is still going on.

[samus88]

Teak,i have a problem,i am making progress,just let nursegirl or any other who replied on this thread help me...why give me repeated warnings when i am posting after like 5 weeks
Thanks

[Teak]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[samus88]

Thankyou to all the members who helped me in this post,my OCD is better and manageable,its been over 5 weeks since my last post....the doctor didnot change my meds but some yoga and psychotherapy is helping me stay calm..however i drank a bit too much coffee and i am having my ocd moment regarding hiv and i want a question answered..

OLANZAPINE(ZYPREXA)
PAROXETINE(SEROXAT)
PROCYCLIDINE (kempro)
LORAZEPAM( ativan)

I just had a thought in my head that many of the mental meds i mentioned above that i have been taking since 8 years,may have made my immune system weak,add to that the chain smoking i have been doing,my immune system must be very weak,hence the 12 week test doesnot apply to me and i should have tested at 6 months mark as antibodies take longer in a person with compromised immune system, i have gotten sick with strep throat thrice in 6 months... don't ban me please...kindly just answer this post...this will really help me as i am making progress

[samus88]

thanks

[nursegirl6572]

This will be my last post.

When we speak of people needing to test to 6 months due to being severely immunocompromised on chemo, it means people that are receveing chemo drugs for cancer that affects their immunity.  That would NOT include Levaquin.

That is 200% different than an antibiotic that you quoted.  The post above even states that, as it explains that the term "chemotherapeutic" isn't being used in relation to cancer or cancer treatment, it is being used to describe how Levaquin works to combat an infection.

Your logic tells you that this is just ridiculous, that you are grasping at straws, but anxiety is making you worry about it.  Levaquin will NOT affect an HIV test, period.

You need to get some serious help.

[LIZZIE LOU]

your test was CONCLUSIVE

[samus88]

Before you take any action i just want one last conversation with nursegirl....and i wish that you allow this last conversation because if you ban me then i lose this whole thread and this thread is very important for me ....

So mam:
i am quoting wikipedia:

Levofloxacin is a synthetic CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class[1][2] and is used to treat severe or life-threatening bacterial infections or bacterial infections that have failed to respond to other antibiotic classes....
The word "chemotherapy" without a modifier usually refers to cancer treatment, but its historical meaning is broader. In broader usage, chemotherapy is the treatment of an ailment by chemicals[8] especially by killing micro-organisms. The term was historically used for non-oncological references, such as the use of ANTIBIOTICS (antibacterial chemotherapy).
The quinolones are a family of synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics. The term quinolone(s) refers to potent synthetic chemotherapeutic antibacterials.They prevent bacterial DNA from unwinding and duplicating.


THIS WILL BE MY LAST POST ABOUT THIS MATTER...and this last post can also help other users aswell in the future....thanks

bye

[nursegirl6572]

You are talking about Levaquin, which is an antibiotic, it is NOT a chemotherapeutic drug.  Whatever you read, you misunderstood.

You are still trying to find a way to discount your test results.  You NEED professional help.  There is nothing more we can do for you.  This is an HIV forum and you do not have an HIV concern.

[Teak]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[samus88]

all im asking is that why does wikipedia call levofloxacin a chemotherapetic antibiotic....
can anyone else explain this too

thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

antibiotics do NOT alter test results...period...end of story.

accept your negative status and move on with your life

[samus88]

what's the difference between chemotherapy drugs and chemotherapeutic antibiotics then...aren't they the same thing,can you explain please...

Because all the hiv websites ,even medhelp have stated that chemotherapy drugs affect the outcome of the test...
im a lil confused here...  
even wikipedia states that levofloxacin is a chemotherapeutic antibiotic   :S

[LIZZIE LOU]

NO

[samus88]

I am doing much better since the replies above....
I have a question though, i was going through my old prescriptions and i remember taking levofloxacin for 7 days for strep throat during my window period for testing....
on the description it says that :
Levofloxacin is a synthetic" chemotherapeutic" antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class...
Don't chemotherapeutic affect the outcome of an hiv test....

Just a question i have... thanks

[samus88]

I am doing much better since the replies above....
I have a question though, i was going through my old prescriptions and i remember taking levofloxacin for 7 days for strep throat during my window period for testing....
on the description it says that :
Levofloxacin is a synthetic" chemotherapeutic" antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class...
Don't chemotherapeutic affect the outcome of an hiv test....

Just a question i have... thanks

[zamzam4]

It seems to me that you have anxiety related to HIV and I'm sure you obsess about other things in your life. This, the testing, the posting on here, is a symptom of your illness by coming on here, by testing you are giving it the power it needs to control you. The more emotion you attach to this, the worse it will be. You need to STOP. Not tomorrow but now, if the meds aren't helping then change. Prozac is particularly good for this kind of thinking, it is known to be very effective.

[zamzam4]

It seems to me that you have anxiety related to HIV and I'm sure you obsess about other things in your life. This, the testing, the posting on here, is a symptom of your illness by coming on here, by testing you are giving it the power it needs to control you. The more emotion you attach to this, the worse it will be. You need to STOP. Not tomorrow but now, if the meds aren't helping then change. Prozac is particularly good for this kind of thinking, it is known to be very effective.

[Apollo1971]

The count always changes, if you took 10 tests in one day they will never be the same - ever. It matters only positive - negative, your negative, so just get on living your life. 6 months only applys if your a long term IV user, or you having antiviral medication or agressive chemo.

Your fine its a FACT. You should take in mind HIV tests are more relaible then most other tests you do for your health. For eg, would you question a negative cancer result, of course you wouldnt, so why HIV, because its in your head, simple as that.

[nursegirl6572]

Continue working with your therapist and doctor, your problem is anxiety, not HIV.

[samus88]

I am really sorry for my repeated questions,i really am
i have made a mockery of myself..
,its just been hard for me lately...
The list of my medications might suggest how big a mental mess i am since the last few years...
its just so hard,i went to my psychologist and psychiatrist aswell,they don't want to change my proven medications because i am fine otherwise than these hiv thoughts...
Whenever i tell myself i am fine another thought crops up in my mind,like now after looking at your answers i am assured that i am fine,
i got thoughts immediately like
-Why do some sites suggest 6 months
-Why did my count increase during all three tests rather than decreasing...maybe this means something....
this is what i am going through and due to the sensitivity of the issue i cannot tell anyone either ....

[Apollo1971]

The medication will not effect your results - fact
The machine is realiable - fact
You dont have HIV - fact.

Your OCD is taking control of your imagination, please listen to the advise you were given and take it in and understand it.

[nursegirl6572]

There is NO reason whatsoever to take more tests.  That will actually only feed into your anxiety.

How many more times do we have to say it?  You don't have HIV, your test was conclusive, and no medication will affect an HIV test.

You are in the clear, if you cannot accept that then you need to seek some professional help.

[ashler1977]

Antibiotics don't affect an HIV test. HIV test look for antibodies against HIV. If you would have it, then your test would have been positive. And you have had already THREE test, being the latest (83 days) conclusive.

If you don't believe your results then go and make another test. It will be negative, again.

By the way, the test you had is a 4th generation test which is the most modern.

Nothing else to add from my side.