Just general questions

[ween251]

(1) how soon after HIV exposure does ARS symptoms appear?

(2) how soon after ARS symptoms develop does one's immune system produce antibodies to HIV (assuming no chemo and stuff)?

(3) following from (2), how soon after antibodies are produced do they become detectable for rapid blood testing?

[zoolander26]

you're anxiety is going through the roof and into other people's home :P

quite normal when being worried about hiv. settle down and you'll be fine.

I was like that too. everyday i was looking for symptoms..like swollen lymph nodes...skin changes, bumps, rashes..those kind of stuff...it affected my life greatly and i wasn't pleased about it.

anxiety heightens your fear of everything that goes on with your body! a simply stomachache will make you scare to death or a lil itch on your genital...those lil small things turns big ya know

I think I overcome anxiety by getting tired of it and just accepted whatever will be will be.

you'll be fine!

[Teak]

You don't have to have any symptoms at all to be infected with HIV. That is why symptoms means nothing when diagnosing HIV.

[ween251]

Thanks. I took the test at 4 weeks (negative)... *shivers*

And on point (1), anytime before 2 weeks and anytime after 4 weeks post infection is unlikely to be ARS symptoms? (Last question, really!)

[Teak]

Correct.

[ween251]

On point (3), so 4-6 weeks post infection may not show up detectable antibodies for rapid blood testing?

[Teak]

2-4 weeks post infection.
The body starts producing antibodies as soon as infection begins
6 weeks to 3 months.  3 months is when you can obtain you conclusive negative result.