HIV window period and testing

[twiggy64]

Hi please if anyone can put my mind at ease, i recently had a relatioship with an HIV+ lady who did not tell me, i stupidly had unprotected sex with her for 3 months but never came inside her. When i discovered that she was HIV+ (through her ex-boyfriend who was blaming her on his infection )and did not tell me, i got so upset and questioned her and she told me while crying that she has been positive for 8 years. I then immediately went to blood test here in S.Africa at www.lancert.co.za the test came back negative but i was told to come back after 8 weeks and that during the 8 weeks i must behave, and not have sex. I was so scared that the 8 weeks felt like 80 years and not once have i thought of sex, so at 8,5 weeks i went again and the test was still Negative, i asked  a question to the nurse as i had received counselling before and after. And i was told that with the new testing equipments and methods a test at 8 weeks is 99.99% with the ELISA 1 and 2, so i do not have to do a follow up test provided that i from now on wear a condom or do not have sex

Since then i have read conflicting documents everywhere on the internet? I now await 3 and 6 months so i can do a test again..

PLEASE Help... how true and reliable is the THE SO CALLED MODERN ELISA TEST

[twiggy64]

Sory teak did not mean to offend anyone with this.. But again like you say every one must take FULL responsibilty of themselves.. no condom no sex.

[Teak]

"A lot of people who are infected, deliberately infect others purposely, and do not want to use or will not advice to use a condom their thoughts is "what is the difference, I was also maybe infected purposefully so what" but that is not the way to go. If was infected or i should discover at 12 weeks that i am infected, i will not go out there to spread it."

I don't know where you came up with that one, but most people that are positive don't go out trying to infect others. It was your lack of responsibility for not using a condom.  

[twiggy64]

Thanks guys for all your concern and your GREATLY appreciated support. And yes it is a criminal offence here is S.Africa to knowingly infect someone with HIV, but at the end of the day.. EVERYONE i do not care who you are... take FULL responsibility of yourself, the lady in question is a model you can hardly believe that she has HIV and she could deliberately spread it, do not believe or trust anyone. I was extremelly lucky, and i thank God for this.. HIV is the southern Africa is the worst in the world about 4 in 10 people are infected. But still people like us still do not take responsibility of our own actions.. If you do not take FULL responsibily of your own actions and your own health NO one will.

She really ruined the ex-boy friend's life... And if it was not for him to confront me i wouldn't probably even be typing this message..

A lot of people who are infected, deliberately infect others purposely, and do not want to use or will not advice to use a condom their thoughts is "what is the difference, I was also maybe infected purposefully so what" but that is not the way to go. If was infected or i should discover at 12 weeks that i am infected, i will not go out there to spread it. Imagine how much damage you will do to a person and his/her future, all his/her life goals, her/his life everything will be taken by you...BUT AGAIN IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 100%  to protect your own life, silky thighs and warm skin does not mean nothing...

I wanted to get her arrested, but I WAS 100% guily too for NOT being responsible

[Teak]

No, infecting someone with herpes is NOT a Criminal offense.

[Thankful613]

I kinda agree with alienshadow that this isnt the place for a debate about this.  It is really about twiggy's post and supporting him.  He had a much bigger reason to worry than almost eveyone here.  But..... She probably could be held criminally liable (at least for infecting the ex-bf).  In most places infecting someone with HIV knowingly is a criminal offense.  I dont know S African law specifically, but I would bet that it could be prosecuted.  In some places you can be held criminally liable for unintentionally infecting someone, and in others it is criminal to expose someone even if they dont get infected.  Same thing for herpes.  Intentionally infecting someone with herpes is a criminal offense in many many jurisdictions.  Part of "each person guaging their risks" should be someone thinking that if they harm another person they will be held accountable in a criminal way.

[nursegirl6572]

Twiggy...I agree that you should expect a NEG result at the 3 month mark.  You REALLY got lucky.  Thank goodness!

As for the legal issue....what happened was two parties had consenual sex.  Each person must gauge their own risks and what kind of gamble they are willing to take.

While this girl was MORALLY and ETHICALLY wrong...I highly doubt that she could be held criminally responsible.  If Twiggy had ended up infected, he may have been able to win a civil type suit for medical bills...but even that I doubt...b/c again....HE is responsible for HIS own health and well being.

How many people out there knowingly spread herpes?  While herpes doesn't carry the same *scary* reputation as HIV...it can be equally as deadly and lead to a lifetime of complications.  Again...people need to take responsibility for their own actions.