Aa
wish me luck...
i'm going in today to test...my 4 week came back negative, now i'm at 9 weeks and am off to find my fate. just wanted to say to all of those who've previously responded to me - your comments have minimalized my stress and anxiety. once i test, i know that these results will be conclusive. but, as i am at high risk - should i again go in at 3 mos?
just a reminder: i'm the one who had repeated unprotected sex with my hiv pos boyfriend, before knowing he was positive...
another thought: the boyfriend. how realistic is it that he actually became hiv pos after a one night stand with a woman? that is his story to me. (keep in mind, he is not circumsized) and in such a serious matter, would anyone with any sort of conscience really lie about it?
just a reminder: i'm the one who had repeated unprotected sex with my hiv pos boyfriend, before knowing he was positive...
another thought: the boyfriend. how realistic is it that he actually became hiv pos after a one night stand with a woman? that is his story to me. (keep in mind, he is not circumsized) and in such a serious matter, would anyone with any sort of conscience really lie about it?
Sunny,
I had a risky exposure in the past and went to an HIV specialist. I am suprised that your doctor has not run a "viral load" (Ultrasensitive RNA PCR test) on you to conclusively rule out HIV since you had a risky exposure. This test is not a stand alone diagnostic test but a negative result at 9 weeks for an RNA and antibody test combined would be conclusive.
Although this test is not recommended for low risk exposures, I think it might be appropriate in your case.
Regardless, I am very very very confidant that a 9 week negative antibody test would not change. In fact, i would bet a considerable amount of money on it. But if you want to know for sure, ask for the Ultrasensitive RNA test.
Good luck!
I had a risky exposure in the past and went to an HIV specialist. I am suprised that your doctor has not run a "viral load" (Ultrasensitive RNA PCR test) on you to conclusively rule out HIV since you had a risky exposure. This test is not a stand alone diagnostic test but a negative result at 9 weeks for an RNA and antibody test combined would be conclusive.
Although this test is not recommended for low risk exposures, I think it might be appropriate in your case.
Regardless, I am very very very confidant that a 9 week negative antibody test would not change. In fact, i would bet a considerable amount of money on it. But if you want to know for sure, ask for the Ultrasensitive RNA test.
Good luck!
a year?
where are you based?
The most conservative guidelines suggest six months after a known exposure. There have only ever been two documented cases of tests taking up to a year to test positive, and they were before 3rd generation tests came into use in 1997. Furthermore, one of those who took that long did so because of coinfection with Hepatitis C from a needlestick incident, the second had a seriously damaged immune system. Neither of these circumstances applies to you.
Test out to as long as you feel comfortable with. The chances of a nine week negative turning positive are zero or close to it.
However, I'm intrigued by your doctor's advice. Is he a HIV expert or just an MD? What is he basing his advice on? Maybe you could ask Dr. handsfield? It costs 15 dollars but you would have a knowledgeable answer from an expert in the field:)
where are you based?
The most conservative guidelines suggest six months after a known exposure. There have only ever been two documented cases of tests taking up to a year to test positive, and they were before 3rd generation tests came into use in 1997. Furthermore, one of those who took that long did so because of coinfection with Hepatitis C from a needlestick incident, the second had a seriously damaged immune system. Neither of these circumstances applies to you.
Test out to as long as you feel comfortable with. The chances of a nine week negative turning positive are zero or close to it.
However, I'm intrigued by your doctor's advice. Is he a HIV expert or just an MD? What is he basing his advice on? Maybe you could ask Dr. handsfield? It costs 15 dollars but you would have a knowledgeable answer from an expert in the field:)
my doctor is suggesting that i test out to one year. don't you think that is a little crazy? six months, maybe. but a year?
and no, it really doesn't matter how the boyfriend became positive - i'm just angry/hurt as i feel like i'm not getting the whole truth. i probably never will, i just need to worry about myself at this point and let it go.
once i have a 4 week negative and hopefully a 9 week negative...i will let it go and will focus my efforts on helping others through this incredibly stressful time.
and no, it really doesn't matter how the boyfriend became positive - i'm just angry/hurt as i feel like i'm not getting the whole truth. i probably never will, i just need to worry about myself at this point and let it go.
once i have a 4 week negative and hopefully a 9 week negative...i will let it go and will focus my efforts on helping others through this incredibly stressful time.
Hi sunnygirl. Is your doc a HIV or STD specialist? He sounds very behind if he is. Even conservative agencies such as the CDC say test out to 3 months as do general UK guidelines, never mind 6 months! A year is generally unheard of now with the high sensitivity of current tests.
If he isn't a specialist, I'd be tempted to advise you to get a second opinion from a specialist....
Irrespective of whether you do that - GOOD LUCK. We're all rooting for you.
If he isn't a specialist, I'd be tempted to advise you to get a second opinion from a specialist....
Irrespective of whether you do that - GOOD LUCK. We're all rooting for you.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wish you all the luck and I'd pray for you :)
It's very veryvery very very unlikely that your result would change as per the doc here in the forum he's never seen any body turning poz after a 6 week Neg result.
We have to believe that, I doc is a doc who knows it all !
Regards
Mike
It's very veryvery very very unlikely that your result would change as per the doc here in the forum he's never seen any body turning poz after a 6 week Neg result.
We have to believe that, I doc is a doc who knows it all !
Regards
Mike
no, this doctor is not an hiv/std expert - just an MD. but she has been working with the hiv specialist at the center for infectious disease due to my questions/concerns...i don't believe the specialist has given her this information - it may be based on her own thoughts/beliefs. either way, i'm not that paranoid and will settle for my 9 week results - or possibly a 13 week test if i feel the need. but i'm feeling confident that whatever my results are at 9 weeks, that's what they'll remain.
by the way, for those of you that have asked, i'm based in the central US. i'm thinking that my known exposure to hiv is something quite unheard of where i live, therefor, my doctor may be freaking out just about as much as i am? she doesn't have the knowlegde she should, but i can't blame her as i'm the first patient she's had with this issue.
by the way, for those of you that have asked, i'm based in the central US. i'm thinking that my known exposure to hiv is something quite unheard of where i live, therefor, my doctor may be freaking out just about as much as i am? she doesn't have the knowlegde she should, but i can't blame her as i'm the first patient she's had with this issue.
That's a fair assessment I think.
The chances of a 9 week negative turning positive are very, very slim indeed. Probably non-existent. The less people know about HIV, the more conservative they tend to be in relation to testing. For instance, a guy was on here saying that his doctor told him because he'd got a blowjob from a prostitute he was at risk for HIV and to test out to six months! You can't get HIV from a blowjob and the window period is 3 months.
Basically, test out to the point where you can look in the mirror and say ' I am HIV negative'. It really is as simple as that. If you'r happy with thirteen weeks, run with that.
I'm expecting a negative result:)
The chances of a 9 week negative turning positive are very, very slim indeed. Probably non-existent. The less people know about HIV, the more conservative they tend to be in relation to testing. For instance, a guy was on here saying that his doctor told him because he'd got a blowjob from a prostitute he was at risk for HIV and to test out to six months! You can't get HIV from a blowjob and the window period is 3 months.
Basically, test out to the point where you can look in the mirror and say ' I am HIV negative'. It really is as simple as that. If you'r happy with thirteen weeks, run with that.
I'm expecting a negative result:)
All the best. Maybe you will have left for your tests by this time but still good luck to you. I will pray for you.
at this time i only have a 4 week negative result...i've tested again today and will have a 9 week result in a few days. i'll be around and will certainly share the news when i have it.
and i agree, i think it's a fair assessment regarding my doctor. i can hardly blame her for being conservative when it comes to her first time dealing with hiv. she was very kind, very concerned but remained reassuring that even though i have certainly been exposed, that doesn't mean i'm going to get it.
no matter the result, i will re-evaluate the way i live my life. i have a son who needs me to be strong and healthy, and i will do that for him.
thank you for your prayers...
and i agree, i think it's a fair assessment regarding my doctor. i can hardly blame her for being conservative when it comes to her first time dealing with hiv. she was very kind, very concerned but remained reassuring that even though i have certainly been exposed, that doesn't mean i'm going to get it.
no matter the result, i will re-evaluate the way i live my life. i have a son who needs me to be strong and healthy, and i will do that for him.
thank you for your prayers...
Hi there,
having repeated exposures to a HIV positive individual is indeed risky, but your 4 week negative is highly reassuring; with modern testing, 90% of people who have contracted HIV will test negative at this stage.
Since you have had a known exposure, your test today will give you a good indicator of your status, but since it was risky, I'd probably test to 13 weeks just to be certain sure. However, a 9 week negative is highly highly unlikely to change.
As for your partner, I couldn't really say. While it is indeed possible to contract HIV from a single heterosexual exposure, it is seen as a highly unusual event in the western world by Dr. Handsfield, the expert on this forum.
But does it matter at this stage?
The very best of luck to you. I'm expecting you to continue testing negative after your initial result. Keep us posted, your in our thoughts:)
having repeated exposures to a HIV positive individual is indeed risky, but your 4 week negative is highly reassuring; with modern testing, 90% of people who have contracted HIV will test negative at this stage.
Since you have had a known exposure, your test today will give you a good indicator of your status, but since it was risky, I'd probably test to 13 weeks just to be certain sure. However, a 9 week negative is highly highly unlikely to change.
As for your partner, I couldn't really say. While it is indeed possible to contract HIV from a single heterosexual exposure, it is seen as a highly unusual event in the western world by Dr. Handsfield, the expert on this forum.
But does it matter at this stage?
The very best of luck to you. I'm expecting you to continue testing negative after your initial result. Keep us posted, your in our thoughts:)
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