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I am a female. I went to my local health department and received an OraQuick Advance antibody test approximately 8 weeks after exposure 05/03/12. It was negative. I called and was told that I tested negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea. They also ran a test for syphillis, but along with the HIV test results, they were not in.The male that I had sex with also claims he is clean and that I have nothing to worry about, but refuses to show papers. I am worried because I do have a swollen occipital node, but I also have a scalp infection that wont seem to go away. I have no health insurance, so I'm not sure if it is the cause. I haven't been able to hardly eat for weeks. The gentlemen at the clinic also said they would run a second test which looked for the virus itself, but I relocated to another state before I could get my test results. My previous landlord called me and said I received a letter from the Health Department and she would send it to me next week. After that, I had a serious breakdown. This evening I immediately went to Rite Aide and purchased an at home kit. It has been at least 14 weeks. I followed the instructions carefully and the test was negative as well. I don't understand why the clinic would mail me a letter if it wasn't bad new. I'm starting to wonder if I am a late sero-converter. I have eczema, allergies, anemia, and lately I have been feeling so run down with tingling sensations all over. I'm seriously feeling like I'm losing it. What advice can you offer?
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Avatar universal
Thank you, Teak. I'm sorry if I seem like a raging lunatic. I just want to be in the clear.
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Avatar universal
You do not have an HIV concern.
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Avatar universal
William, thank you so much for being so kind to me. I have been laying in bed for weeks, not answering the phone, crying to my fiance, avoiding my children, everything. My landlord called me and said the letter was urgent and even though I asked her if she opened it, she said no she saw health department and thought it was for my children. I accidently wrote 2012 in the opening, but it was really thia year. I am so worried. I am really on the edge. I've called the HD and can't get through to anyone. I am not sure if they have called me because I do not receive all of my calla in this area. I would hope they would have left a brief message if they did. Since it's a holiday week, my letter won't come for a few more days. I found out I am pregnant last week as well by my fiance of 6 years. We split up for 5 months and during that period I engagedbin an instancewith someone I used to trust. Come to find out he is a liar and I am not sure of his past. I cannot handle the thought of this all. I would love to put this all behind me and feel negative again, but I cannot. My swollen lymph node in the occipital region is real and visible. I am so sad and cannot believe I made such a terrible mistake.  I feel like all I need is proof and I will feel much better. The 14 week oraquick made me question its accuracy. Please pray for me if you pray.
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Avatar universal
Just so you know, i am not an expert on HIV but I can sympathise with what your going through.
I had to seek professional mental help, and I was very reluctant to do so but I am now glad I did. I am still working on my fear but its getting much better.
I do realize that it is hard to trust advice from folks you don't know personally but you've had reassurances from "teak", "nursegirl" and "joggen". These folks have what I would call "hands-On" experience with this stuff.
It has taken me a while for it to all sink in, and I am just now strting to come back to normal again...thanks to counselling. You may want to consider it for yourself.
You took an oraquick past the window period,( so did I.....10 of them!!!) an FDA approved test that had to go through evaluations and field testing before being allowed to be sold to the public.
The false negatives you have been reading about are mainly due to people taking it within the window period of 12 weeks, or from what I understand folks undergoing cancer treatment..i.e on immune system supressing medications)
I honestly think you're negative not because I am an authority on HIV and testing, I am not, but because you've had reassurences from possibly the most educated answerers on this website.
They would not tell you you're good to go if there was any doubt in their minds you may be infected.
I had a very hard time getting over this.You may really want to consider getting some counselling...it may be not for you but it did help me. But it is a slow process.
I wish you well....and I am sure you're negative.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Not that you need to test anymore, because at this point, testing is probably just increasing your anxiety, but if you're now worried about the home test, go to a  clinic and have a blood test done, then finally put this behind you once and for all.  If you STILL can't at that point, it may be time to get some professional help.
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Avatar universal
Nursegirl,  I moved out of state and did not provide my new address. My landlord there checked the mail and I had a letter. Also, I have very poor cell service where I live now and do not receive half of my calls.  Would they not have left a voicemail? You are right. I am worry ing myself sick. The test I took last night was oraquick at home test, not advance. Im at the point where I feel like not living anymore. Freaking out. This is terrible. Oraquick was negative last night at least 14 weeks post. I am just praying that I done it correctly.
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480448 tn?1426948538
You're "what iffing" yourself sick.  If your HIV test (any portion of it) would have been positive, you would have been notified by now, not to mention, you had other negative tests since that test.

If you remain concerned about your initial results, call the clinic and ask them about it.  No news is always good news when it comes to this kind of stuff, and most likely they would call you, not send you a letter if you had tested positive.  If that test was positive, because you are infected, your subsequent tests would have been + as well.

You don't have HIV.
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Avatar universal
If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. I need more than just, You do not have a concern. I am worried the PCR was positive at 8 weeks, while the antibody was negative at 8, followed by a negative antibody at 14 weeks. I'm worried that I have the virus, but no antibodies as of yet. The exposure was at the least 14 weeks ago. What is the likelihood of a false negative Oraquick?  Could it also be possible that I did not provide enough oral fluid?
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Avatar universal
You don't have an HIV concern.
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Avatar universal
I did have a 14 week test today with the Oraquick Advance. It was negative. I am still worried as to why the health department would be contacting me because I was told my other results were negative. What happens if the PCR was positive,  but my antibody test today was negative at 14 weeks plus.
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Avatar universal
No realistic HIV chance with an 8 week negative. Have a 12 week test which will be negative and you'll put the nail in the coffin of HIV.
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Avatar universal
Also to add one more thing, I was also informed previously that I have severe dysplasia resulting from HPV. I had mild four years ago, so it looks like my body is not fighting the virus. Must I add, the exposure was once unprotected for possibly 2 minutes (I realized I was making a bad decision) with no ejaculation.
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Avatar universal
By the way, I believe the HIV test ran was the PCR. I am so worried. Is it possible that my antibodies are not showing after at LEAST 14 weeks, but I tested positive on the PCR?
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