I HAVE GOOD REASON TO THINK I AM POSITIVE

[sorrytoaskthishere]

Sorry to post this here but here is my problem

I have tested negative for HIV out to 6 months and so has my girlfriend but we have both experienced syptoms including

in me:
fever for 10 days
blisters on palms and inbetween fingers - out to 4 months
headaches - 1 month
rash - 7 days brown blotches on face and back

in her:
fever for 4 days
night sweats for a month
dry cough for a month
diarrhea for a week

I had unprotected sex with a girl who had her period so the viral load could have been high


I suffer now from a dry mouth and back and neck pain

My lymphs are 1.3 and CD4 is 39%.  CD4/8 is 1.06
Her lymps were inflated and then came down

I am as you can tell convinced it is HIV

Has anyone gone through a similar experience and been found positive and if so, through what test

The exposure was abroad so I am concerned about variant strains

ANy advice greatly appreciated

[kahruba]

go and get a test done???

[Emma_08]

If you got tested 6 months after the unprotected sex, there is no reason for further testing, you are negative.  If the unprotected sex was after the test, then get tested again for your peace of mind.  You cannot rely on 'symptoms' to diagnose HIV - testing is the only way to know.  My guess is it'll be negative.
Good luck,
Em

[dec15burma]

No way you got HIV.
Go to hospital to check other problem.

[amal905]

I agree with you, but also "sorrytoaskhere" is concerned about getting different strains of HIV
from my knowledge, I know that there are 2 different viruses: HIV-1 and HIV-2
HIV-1 has 3 groups, M - O - N Group. M has subtypes from A to H.
All ELISA tests can detect the subtypes. but not all of them detect HIV-2 or Group O which are very very rare ( only in west Africa ). Regarding Group N ( New ) from its name, it is a new one, so not yet widely spread. But I am also concerned about the reliability of the ELISA tests of detecting HIV-2 and HIV-1 Group O. just for peace of mind.
Please if anyone has the information so he can benefit others.

[Teak]

The ELISA will detect all types, groups and subtypes. Group N was discovered in 1998 in Cameroon by an ELISA test and it is very rare. Only 10 people have been diagnosed with Group N and all in Cameroon.

[amal905]

Just thinking:
Is there any possibilty that the immune system is unable to "produce" antibodies to the HIV virus? Does the immune system in all the indivisuals react the same to the HIV virus? I believe the response will differ from person to person, that some can take them 3 months to react and some can take them few weeks, but is it possible that the immune system can not react at all to the virus therefore no detectable antibodies will be found and the result will come out negative though the virus does exist? can such a way of thinking be acceptable?!

Thanks

[Teak]

NO..
Yes..
The only ones that might take longer than 3 months to test is those on Chemo, those that take antirejection medication for transplants and Chronic IV drug abusers.

[amal905]

So the answer is yet or not :-/

[Teak]

If someone had a suppressed immune system, they would know about it. A suppressed immune system as in taking Chemo for example slows the bodies antibody production down, it does not stop it. Now if you have anymore questions start your own thread.

[amal905]

last question related to the same issue, you mean for healthy people, it is certain that the immune system will react to HIV and produce anitbodies, only those who are under the supperessed immune system ( chemo) might be delayed in producing the antibody,
correct?

Thanks Teak for giving support to all .

Rgds,