hiv freak out

[ScubaSteve1999]

So its been a few years since a potential exposure...I started having symptoms over the past few weeks, sore throat, chronic and consistent muscle aches in legs and under arms, diarrhea, loss of appetite. No fever. I have tested negative 7 times on the home oraquick test during the past two weeks. Do I need further testing or can I trust these results? I'm freaking out because of the 8% false negative rate they report and my symptoms. Help!

[ScubaSteve1999]

Thanks all for being so patient.  I am just in a tough place right now and questioning why my muscles, diarrhea, and sore throat arent getting any better and associating them with my past mistakes...

Teak you are one tough cookie! Keep giving it hell!

[shouldiworry1323]

That's why I said but even that is a stretch. I have a friend who is positive and volunteers at clinics, this topic came up once somehow, I don't even remember how. But anyways, if he read that on whatever website, surely now he's freaking out more, and I was just stating what that may mean, in certain circumstances.

Good for you Teak. Having the illness for quite some time and going strong, hope that continues.

[Teak]

That's not true either. I've been positive over 28 years and have had AIDS for the past 8 and I have an OI and yes I still test positive with a rapid test.

[shouldiworry1323]

You are looking into this way too much. The reason they say oral antibodies might not be picked up in advanced disease, they are meaning ADVANCED, like you have an AIDS diagnosis, with opportunistic infections, and not recovering or bouncing back. Your immune system is WIPED OUT, and trust me, if that were you, you wouldn't be on medhelp or any other website looking up this information. That is when you may not show antibodies because the disease is so far gone. But even that is a stretch.

You don't have HIV, or advanced HIV. You have tested several times. Move on with your life and relax.

[Teak]

There is no reason for further discussion. You don't have HIV and the only people that get ARS are positive.

[ScubaSteve1999]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help so far, one last question...If I am experiencing symptoms now from a potential exposure 7 or 8 years ago would my test results be altered by the fact I am now experiencing sypmtoms?  I heard that once advanaced symptoms begin to start, oral antibody tests might not be picked up?  Is this true?

[ScubaSteve1999]

Thanks all so tired from stressing out over this..

[Teak]

All of which are correct.

[ScubaSteve1999]

Yea I didn't trust the home test results first few to.es and it just spiraled to taking it 7 times. All clear negatives.  

[Teak]

And you've tested multiple times also.

[ScubaSteve1999]

Not that it matters but it was an exposure that occurred well before I met my wife...

[ScubaSteve1999]

I didn't mention the one 7 years ago because I I wasn't thinking about it until recently..you are all prob right, mind going nuts and causing some if these symptoms.

[Teak]

It's funny you didn't mention anything about any other exposure in the Expert Forum.  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Worried-sick/show/1917742#post_8947151

[william8271]

I wouldn't think so. Not likely. Virtually impossible.
The mind is a very powerful thing...it will play with you...trust me ..I know. It's insidious and very persuasive! Stay off the internet, but if you must....just stay on medhelp or "The Body".
For a few dollars you can post in the expert forum and Dr Handsfield and Dr Hook  know this stuff. They have decades of combined knowledge.
If it alleviates your unreasonable worry ..ask them. I am sure they will tell you the same thing as you've heard from us.
You've had 7 negative tests?
I would suggest to see your Doctor.......but HIV is definitely NOT your problem.

[ScubaSteve1999]

Stupid auto correct, thought of hiv not job

[ScubaSteve1999]

Also I'm not sure I didn't experience these symptoms 2 years ago, would you experience them again now?

[ScubaSteve1999]

Well it was oral the last time, before that previous risk was 7 years ago...and that was more than oral...would you all trust these tests?

While I know the mind plays games, these symptoms appeared before I even thought of job...

Thanks all for the support and comments

[shouldiworry1323]

Oh oops. Didn't realize it was oral sex. No risk then.

[shouldiworry1323]

The above poster is correct. The ARS seroconversion happens within a few weeks after infection, not two years later. The symptoms you are describing can also be due to many many other ailments, and also anxiety, the mind can do awful things.

If you've had no other potential exposures, you are more than fine and do not need further testing. Take care.

[Teak]

You never had an exposure. HIV is not transmitted by oral sex.

[william8271]

From what I know if you haven't had any potential exposures since then, then the symptoms are not due to seroconversion.
If you've tested 12 weeks past any potential exposure your current ailments are not HIV related.
False negatives are due to not waiting long enough for the so-called window period 12 weeks.