Aa
Do I have HIV?
About 2-3 weeks ago, I had unprotected insertive anal sex with a male. I asked him a couple days afterwards if he's been tested recently, and he said yes. He claimed he's negative. I, personally, don't know if I should believe him. Even before the risky sexual occurrence, I've been having daily headaches that never seem to go away. Doing my research, I've came across so many nerve-wrecking articles that suggest headaches are a sign of HIV. The more I read, the more I get sick to my stomach and feel as if I know I just have it. Thankfully, I don't have any of the other symptoms that go along with being exposed to the HIV virus (sore throat, fever, swollen glands, etc.), and I pray I don't develop any of them. Whenever I read up on HIV-related posts, I pretty much break down in tears because I'm almost sure I have it, and I'm terrified to know. I also feel as if my headaches get worse when I think about the symptoms I've read about. I just want to know does what I'm experiencing sound like its HIV related or me being worked up/nervous about the whole situation?
I also would like more insight into this theory...
I've seen other people on this website in similar situations like mine state that testing negative around 4 weeks is a pretty good indication as to if you have contracted the virus or not. I just want to know how accurate is a rapid HIV test after four weeks? I know it's not conclusive, but would it be a good indicator that I would test negative at the 8 or 12 week marker?
Any information is helpful and well appreciated. Thanks so much.
I also would like more insight into this theory...
I've seen other people on this website in similar situations like mine state that testing negative around 4 weeks is a pretty good indication as to if you have contracted the virus or not. I just want to know how accurate is a rapid HIV test after four weeks? I know it's not conclusive, but would it be a good indicator that I would test negative at the 8 or 12 week marker?
Any information is helpful and well appreciated. Thanks so much.
Very good.
I logged in hoping you tested and posted.
Congratulations and best of life to you.
I logged in hoping you tested and posted.
Congratulations and best of life to you.
Thank God! I went and got a 4th generation HIV test today (alere), and it came back NEGATIVE! To anyone who's scared and thinking that symptoms play a huge role in diagnosis, they don't! In most cases, they were caused by anxiety, which mine were. It's such a big weight lifted off my shoulders, and I'm so blessed to have tested negative. If anyone has any questions or wants to talk about the anxiety, I'm here. I know it can make you go almost to the point of legit insanity.
Just saying there is old and or inaccurate info out there mixed with correct information.
I'm all for being informed as you are but it opens the door for panic and self diagnoses that can cause unnecessary anxiety. Your test is close so I was wanting to encourage you to give it a break.
yes anxiety can hinder your health.
My mom broke out in hives once because she did something financially that made her feel very guilty.
I'm all for being informed as you are but it opens the door for panic and self diagnoses that can cause unnecessary anxiety. Your test is close so I was wanting to encourage you to give it a break.
yes anxiety can hinder your health.
My mom broke out in hives once because she did something financially that made her feel very guilty.
So you're saying I should stop reading about symptoms and everything? And in what way do you mean that anxiety can affect your health? I'm just grateful I didn't get any other symptoms like the night sweats, fever, swollen glands (at least that I think) or rashes. I want to start to be optimistic, but it's just always that "what if" that keeps coming back to haunt me. I've been so tempted to get off the internet and stop reading up on HIV, but I want to stay informed. It's just making me insane.
Thanks everyone for all the continued responses and informative feedback. It's very much appreciated. You are all bringing a small small small reassurance back to my mind during this stressful period. :)
Thanks everyone for all the continued responses and informative feedback. It's very much appreciated. You are all bringing a small small small reassurance back to my mind during this stressful period. :)
I've been down this road. Read my situation and after all of it I tested negative. Your test is two days away, try and give the internet a break.
Anxiety as can be experienced during the hiv window period can effect your health. Testing is the answer not symptoms.
Anxiety as can be experienced during the hiv window period can effect your health. Testing is the answer not symptoms.
Okay, so I found a place that does the 4th gen HIV testing for free and I'm going to have it don Thursday. In the last three weeks, I've lost a considerable amount of weight. I've lost like 9 pounds, and this morning I found a small herpes bump on my lower chin. I'm almost too convinced I have it now. I'm going to try eating a little more to see if my weight goes up and a doctor prescribed me some magnesium to see if it helps cease my headaches. I've gotten cold sores rarely for as long as I can remember, so I don't know if I should attribute it to HIV or just a random flare up. It's just the timing is so coincidental again. My anxiety level is off the charts now.
By going to get a DUO test at 28 days, would that be as conclusive as a 3 month test?
Now I have diarrhea. I'm now VERY paranoid because I've read that diarrhea is a symptom of HIV as well. I haven't eaten that much for the past week or so since my anxiety level is so high and I'm pretty much in panic mode 24/7 now. Can not eating much solid food cause diarrhea? Do you think that my headaches and diarrhea are starting to look like a case of HIV?
As for your question, no.
Because if you were, and I don't believe you are, you'll know before 3 months using a 3rd gen test.
Because if you were, and I don't believe you are, you'll know before 3 months using a 3rd gen test.
Generally 1 symptom is a very low probability of infection and what you're experiencing is not a major symptom.
As stated above, only testing proves your status.
If you can't get a 4th gen test hopefully they offer a 3rd gen test. It's very good at detecting ABs , it just doesn't have the technology to detect p24 antigen.
As stated above, only testing proves your status.
If you can't get a 4th gen test hopefully they offer a 3rd gen test. It's very good at detecting ABs , it just doesn't have the technology to detect p24 antigen.
Since the CDC states that a test at the three month marker is conclusive, will major damage be done to my body by that time if I do happen to have the virus? Because I can find anywhere that offers a DUO test in my area, or one that doesn't need an insurance on file.
You should have had protected sex .
Gen 4 hiv combo/duo test is the p24 antigen/hiv1/2 test .it should be done at 4 weeks and then may b repeated at 6 weeks.Thts when the p24 antigen surfaces and it's before the hiv antibodies flare up .be accurate and JAMES is very knowledgeable. If that's negative then u are 98 to 99 percent negative .follow up with a test at 12 week mark .although as you didn't take PEP , the results from 9-10 weeks for hiv hasn't changed in last 10 years .you look for notable doctors .no one has seen them change from 9-10 week mark .symptoms are in no way conclusive of your status .they are highly notorious. Keep in touch with JAMES .he guided me too
Gen 4 hiv combo/duo test is the p24 antigen/hiv1/2 test .it should be done at 4 weeks and then may b repeated at 6 weeks.Thts when the p24 antigen surfaces and it's before the hiv antibodies flare up .be accurate and JAMES is very knowledgeable. If that's negative then u are 98 to 99 percent negative .follow up with a test at 12 week mark .although as you didn't take PEP , the results from 9-10 weeks for hiv hasn't changed in last 10 years .you look for notable doctors .no one has seen them change from 9-10 week mark .symptoms are in no way conclusive of your status .they are highly notorious. Keep in touch with JAMES .he guided me too
People who contract HIV, do they usually have multiple symptoms? Because I only have an annoying headache that never seems to cease. No sore throat, night sweats, muscle aches... I'm trying to be optimistic, but my headaches came in almost direct timing of my unprotected incident.
Clinics can vary in what they offer.
At your time in the window period I would not concider a swab test.
Lab, rapid blood, oral swab is the order of sensitivity.
If you search the Drs forum you'll see that current rapid blood test are among the most accurate and specific out there. 3Rd and 4th generation test specifically.
Search local clinic's and call and see what they offer and it they require a name.
Try typing std clinics with your zip code in your search. Or call your local health department and see if they can guide you.
As for your question about a 4th generation test, ( duo) it looks for a specific antigen that proceeds ABs. It is most accurate at 28 days when antigen should be at its peak.
At your time in the window period I would not concider a swab test.
Lab, rapid blood, oral swab is the order of sensitivity.
If you search the Drs forum you'll see that current rapid blood test are among the most accurate and specific out there. 3Rd and 4th generation test specifically.
Search local clinic's and call and see what they offer and it they require a name.
Try typing std clinics with your zip code in your search. Or call your local health department and see if they can guide you.
As for your question about a 4th generation test, ( duo) it looks for a specific antigen that proceeds ABs. It is most accurate at 28 days when antigen should be at its peak.
Every time I look up "blood HIV test Michigan", I never get any results. If I was to go to a clinic, would I be able to bypass the oraquick and request a blood test immediately?
Maybe not from Oraquick. But if you had blood drawn at 6 weeks and it were negative, it would be about 1-3% likely to change.
Would testing at the six week mark be a pretty good indicator? I've heard that around six weeks, a considerable amount of people test positive through an oral swab test if they have contracted the virus. Although not conclusive, is it still a good indicator?
There are a number of factors that increase and decrease the odds. So there's no use playing the numbers game. It's extremely unlikely to become infected over a one time thing. However, sometimes all it takes is one time. So you should test to make sure.
And by chance, do you know the odds for contracting HIV for the insertive partner for an unprotected situation?
It all probably is your mind creating issues. Just test and move on and wear condoms in the future.
Okay, thanks. I'm just so scared. Every time I think about the odds, I get sick to my stomach and I feel a headache coming on. Everything in me wants to believe it's stress related, but considering the situation that occurred and the symptoms that go along with it, I'm just too unsure.
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