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Avatar universal

pregnant and frightened

Hi there. I know this sounds irrational but the fear and anxiety that I am experiencing is very real. I have had an extreme hiv fear for years. I have seen a counselor but has not seemed to help. I recently became pregnant (unplanned) and the fear has greatly intensified. My doctor does not do routine prenatal blood work until 12 weeks of pregnancy and I felt I could not wait that long..the anxiety was eating at me. So I purchased an oraquick home test from the store. I have taken these before so I knew how to administer. I first opened the testing solution and set that up, next I went to get out the testing stick used to swab my gums. I did this very quickly and because I was so nervous, I do not remember if I opened the packaging or if it was already opened.

My concern is that what if the test were tampered with and the testing stick contained infectious fluids. Maybe not blood because I would have noticed red but possibly other infectious bodily fluids? would the fact that the test was enclosed in the box and packaging keep it from oxygen therefore keeping it infectious? I am worrying sick about it mainly because I am pregnant. I just want to put my mind to rest because 3 months is a long time to be feeling like this. just awful. Thanks for any feedback.
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Avatar universal
I read that part and overlooked it because it was so off the wall and irrational.
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480448 tn?1426948538
Leave the appropriate testing to your doctor.  You have no need to test at home.  That's just going to fuel your anxiety.

You need to address the anxiety, have you been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, perhaps OCD?  It's more important now than ever with you being pregnant that you try to get your irrational thoughts under control.

Best to you.
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Avatar universal
thank you.
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Avatar universal
Not quite sure as to why you are so paranoid about HIV. But, if you have reason to believe you might have been exposed, I would advise to stay away from the Oraquick home test.
The Oraquick is a very good test and very accurate but it cannot offer the one on one consultation with a healthcare professional.
You being pregnant opens up the possibility of a false positive...pregnant women have an unusually high prevalence of testing falsely positive.
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Avatar universal
Not quite sure as to why you are so paranoid about HIV. But, if you have reason to believe you might have been exposed, I would advise to stay away from the Oraquick home test.
The Oraquick is a very good test and very accurate but it cannot offer the one on one consultation with a healthcare professional.
You being pregnant opens up the possibility of a false positive...pregnant women have an unusually high prevalence of testing falsely positive.
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Avatar universal
She is not asking if an ora quick test was accurate. She is asking if she could contract hiv from using the ora quick test if it was contaminated. The answer is no. Noone would have used the test before you.
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Avatar universal
It states right on the test that it is not accurate when done before 3 months post exposure.
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Avatar universal
Being pregnant in and of itself is not a reason to test. It's  your exposures and partners that are of interest.
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Avatar universal
Is there a reason you might have a legitimate concern of having had an infection risk?
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Avatar universal
I can read. and i wanted to test because I am pregnant and I have read that all pregnant women should test at least once.
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Avatar universal
Why are you even concerned about HIV?
Why did you purchase the Oraquick?
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Avatar universal
Then you are saying you cannot read an follow instructions?
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Avatar universal
about a month ago. But I have been in a monogamous relationship with someone who is neg for over a year. I tested because I wanted to make sure from before this relationship.
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Avatar universal
You should  seek professional mental help as soon as possible. Your preoccupation is not healthy.
There is no possible way to get HIV from an Oraquick home test.
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Avatar universal
I forgot to add  that I did use the test, swabbing my upper and lower gums which is why I am scared. I did not think about this until after the fact.
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Avatar universal
How long ago was your last unprotected sex?
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