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HIV - symptoms
I have had intercourse with a bar girl in Kenya. It was unprotected Anal and vaginal. 10 days after that had lymph nodes in my neck and groin which were not painful. The radiologist described them as reactive. I had no flu or cough. 12 days after that, I noticed that behind my knee is swollen - egg like. In front of both elbow as well. I also noticed two small ones just above my armpit. Day 14 was really bad coz I started having severe muscle ache - so bad it woke me up from my sleep. Now I notice blotchy like rash under my skin - on both my feet. tiny blotches on the soles of my palm. Never itchy.
The highest fever I got was 37.6 and that didn't last for more than a couple of days. No flu no rash on trunk or face. N yeah, severe morning muscle stiffness. A diarrhea that came for three days and went away.
I had a combi pt Roche test done at three weeks mark which came back negative. unfortunately, a PCR test takes 3 weeks here . FML. So I decided to do another combo test at 6 weeks instead.
What do you experts reckon? Am I infected?
The highest fever I got was 37.6 and that didn't last for more than a couple of days. No flu no rash on trunk or face. N yeah, severe morning muscle stiffness. A diarrhea that came for three days and went away.
I had a combi pt Roche test done at three weeks mark which came back negative. unfortunately, a PCR test takes 3 weeks here . FML. So I decided to do another combo test at 6 weeks instead.
What do you experts reckon? Am I infected?
The symptoms are not really specific and are not indicative of HIV. Best is to wait until your 6 week DUO test.
3 weeks negative is a good indication of your status, as the antigen is said to appear at detectable levels as early as 18 days after infection.
I myself have tested negative on DUO tests at 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 8 weeks and 11 weeks, and antibody tests at 10 and 13 weeks, but am still struggling to accept my negative status due to ongoing symptoms - the anxiety and fear can really mess with your head.
Dont get locked into a cycle of anxiety like me. Perhaps do a PCR test if you can - because this test is the gold standard which detects the actual virus in your blood. Even if you have to wait 3 weeks, it will be worth it to get proof of whether HIV is in your blood or not
3 weeks negative is a good indication of your status, as the antigen is said to appear at detectable levels as early as 18 days after infection.
I myself have tested negative on DUO tests at 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 8 weeks and 11 weeks, and antibody tests at 10 and 13 weeks, but am still struggling to accept my negative status due to ongoing symptoms - the anxiety and fear can really mess with your head.
Dont get locked into a cycle of anxiety like me. Perhaps do a PCR test if you can - because this test is the gold standard which detects the actual virus in your blood. Even if you have to wait 3 weeks, it will be worth it to get proof of whether HIV is in your blood or not
I understand and I completely blame it on the abusive use of alcohol. Anyway, what about the symptoms?
Hi ,
You had a risk. Another combo test at 4 or 5 or 6 weeks (which is when the p24 antigen would still be at detectable levels) would be suitable , and then a final venous antibody test at 12 weeks will give you a conclusive result. Venous antibody (i.e blood test from lab) is preferable and more accurate than a rapid antibody like a fingerpr*ck or oral test.
DUO at the 12 week stage is also fine, because the DUO antibody part is as sensitive as a normal venous antibody test.
To have unprotected sex with a bar girl in Kenya is not a risk you should take in future. Always use protection.
You had a risk. Another combo test at 4 or 5 or 6 weeks (which is when the p24 antigen would still be at detectable levels) would be suitable , and then a final venous antibody test at 12 weeks will give you a conclusive result. Venous antibody (i.e blood test from lab) is preferable and more accurate than a rapid antibody like a fingerpr*ck or oral test.
DUO at the 12 week stage is also fine, because the DUO antibody part is as sensitive as a normal venous antibody test.
To have unprotected sex with a bar girl in Kenya is not a risk you should take in future. Always use protection.
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