Anxiety over testing

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Im sort of in a crossroad. Im female. Had a condom broke on me during vaginal intercourse. A doctor I seeked advice from told me my risk is low at 0.1% even if my partner was infected. He told me i have nothing much to worry about and should get tested at 4 weeks for a reassurance. My partner refused to get tested. He thinks I doesn't trust him. However he assured me and he answers my questions when i asked him about his past sexual history. I can only tested earliest at 3.5 weeks. My doctor advised against HIV RNA pcr as he said its expensive and chance of false positives are high. His afraid it won't help my anxiety much if it was a false positive. at the same time I'm afraid to get tested. It's the case of what if it's positive? I'm just having severe anxiety and feel depressed. Any want have tips to cope? Thank You. :)

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Let me add, I've been careful after my last exposure 2-3 yrs back and I tested negative. I have used condoms for sex always and none have broken, just this once. I'm bummed over this. I don't have sex frequently and this happens.

[Apollo1971]

I would agree with your doctor that its unlikely he had HIV, although him not testing would give you a concern, so maybe you should express that onto him?

Only a 3 months test will conclude your status although a 6 week test will be more accurate.

How to cope, well just get busy with your life and anything that takes your mind off the situation and the fact in essence you should be ok unless your very unlucky.

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Hey Apolo, my partner is anxious to test. But he reassured me that his straight, never done drugs or got illegal tattoos. He said he always uses protection as much as he can but slip ups and breakages do occur. he told me I can go ahead and test but leave him out. I kinda guess that's reassuring. If his hiding something he would discourage me from testing. also, it's been one year since his last sexual encounter. Keeping my fingers crossed

[Apollo1971]

Hiya. Most people are concerned about testing, even if they have no reason to do so, I guess its a mentality thing, I know it was for myself.

It would be wise for him to test because you will never know your status unless you do and although you may test negative at 12 weeks it does not confirm his HIV status, only that you don't have HIV.

Fingers crossed :)

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Hey, ya I realised that. Because if he tested positive it might send me down a worse path. My doctor said from now on I should only be concerned about my results. I thought of getting a p24 test one week after exposure. According to HK health authorities its accurate but still needs a follow up. I have always been careful. Just hope everything turns out find. Some days I feel suicidal. I just don't know what to think anymore. But thank you for replying me :)

[Apollo1971]

Well their is no point testing before 4 weeks and then at that time scale a 4th generation test is really the only worth while test.

Its very unlikely he would have HIV and from a one time exposure its still very rare. Really, if you got HIV from this I would be shocked.

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Sorry Apollo I don't understand the part of the 4th gen. Did u mean to say its only good for before 4 weeks? Can I add you as a friend?

[Apollo1971]

sorry,i didnt make it very clear. :(

If you were to test early, only from 4 weeks would it be worth while and then only with a 4th generation test but that test would fine from 4 weeks onwards.

Personally i would test at 6 weeks and onwards and you can use any hiv test and it gives you a good indication of your status.

[Brattenberg_Girl]

Sure:)