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Test accuracy after HIV exposure?
I had unprotected sex twice with another male (I topped each time- aka the pitcher). I got tested last wed and that was about 5-7 weeks after my last sexual encounter with him. I found out he is HIV positive. I had the ELISA test done and it showed negative for antibodies. I am curious about the likelihood (for instance a percentage) that I have been infected still despite that showing a negative since it was so short ago. I am desperate for help, I have been so worried. Please any help is desired! Thank you! Lewis
You already have a NEGATIVE at 6-7 weeks, retest at 3 months for a CONCLUSIVE result. The odds are very much on your side that you'll continue to test NEGATIVE regardless of your symptoms.
-JC-
-JC-
Regardless of what I have, I do have a very bad rash that’s spreading throughout my body. Is there any over the counter medication I can take to reduce the spread of the rash or its severity? Can a common flu cause rashes like that? I do not like that its developing on my arms where people can see and I really do not want that. Thanks!
"Generation is irrelevent after the first few weeks in HIV infections. Both Labcorp and Home Access use very reliable , modern ELISA technology in their assays.
My rash has become less localized and is now on more parts of my body, my arms, hands, chest mostly and some of the bumps around my groin are dark in color (almost black), but my fever has not increased. I was previously getting my tests through rapid screenings by Labcorp. Does anyone know if they are using present generation equipment or anything about them? Also, I was considering the HIV-1 express, home-access kit at home. Does anyone know the effectiveness of that antibody test? Im trying to see where to get my test at 8 weeks.Thanks
"What should I do?"
There is nothing left to do but test. Just have a test when you reach the 8 week mark and again at 12 weeks. To use a legal analogy, a negative result at 8 week will provide a preponderance of evidence that you were not infected. And at 12 weeks, you will know beyond a reasonable doubt.
To stretch it even further, whatever your temperature is at the moment is not admissible as evidence of whether you were infected or not. I suggest that you stop taking it if you cannot objectively interpret the results.
There is nothing left to do but test. Just have a test when you reach the 8 week mark and again at 12 weeks. To use a legal analogy, a negative result at 8 week will provide a preponderance of evidence that you were not infected. And at 12 weeks, you will know beyond a reasonable doubt.
To stretch it even further, whatever your temperature is at the moment is not admissible as evidence of whether you were infected or not. I suggest that you stop taking it if you cannot objectively interpret the results.
If fever occurs during ARS it happens within 2-4 weeks after infection. No exceptions. Week seven is way too late for an ARS fever.
And your statement of having a fever "up to around 100 degrees" still does not convince me that you actually have one. It is quite normal for temp. to fluctuate a degree or more throughout the day.
And your statement of having a fever "up to around 100 degrees" still does not convince me that you actually have one. It is quite normal for temp. to fluctuate a degree or more throughout the day.
You're the one who need to read prior comments before keeping this thread going:
by JeanClaude, Sep 28, 2009 10:32PM
To: lewis877
Even IF you had a high fever( which 99.2 is NOT), this is NOT diagnostic or indicative of HIV infection
by JeanClaude, Sep 28, 2009 10:32PM
To: lewis877
Even IF you had a high fever( which 99.2 is NOT), this is NOT diagnostic or indicative of HIV infection
please read prior comments before commenting. My fever now gets up to around 100 degrees and I have a sore throat. I've tried relaxing more about it but I don't know why it's happening. It's now close to the seventh week. What should I do?
Even IF you had a high fever( which 99.2 is NOT), this is NOT diagnostic or indicative of HIV infection.
Yikes, a great example of my advice coming back to bite me in the ***.
What I should have told you is that if you take your temp. with a home thermometer AND it is NOT ABOVE 100, then you know that you are just imagining that you have a fever.
It's completely normal for temp. to fluctuate, including in the 99's. 98.6 is an average.
What I should have told you is that if you take your temp. with a home thermometer AND it is NOT ABOVE 100, then you know that you are just imagining that you have a fever.
It's completely normal for temp. to fluctuate, including in the 99's. 98.6 is an average.
Oh no... I tested my temperature and it is 99.2. Now Im worried. Ive felt this way the past few days. I also have a rash, but I have had other rashes before so I didn’t think much of that. Now Im worried what the chances of that fever being related to possible infection. Is it likely that fever starting at 5 weeks after my sexual encounter is related to last sexual encounter?
LOL....this is a volunteer forum...nobody is going to accept a donation.
I suggest that you donate where it is really needed- your local, not-for-profit community service organization that provides HIV prevention counseling and testing.
I suggest that you donate where it is really needed- your local, not-for-profit community service organization that provides HIV prevention counseling and testing.
I am looking to donate a small amount of money to those who answered my questions or to this Web site in general. Where would I go about doing that? Thank you!
Yes, it is totally possible to imagine that you have a fever when you are anxious. But you can easily determine that with a cheap drug store thermometer anyway.
Any negative ELISA after 8 weeks will be more than 99% accurate (reducing your chance of infection by more than a 100-fold), so that should be reassuring for you.
Any negative ELISA after 8 weeks will be more than 99% accurate (reducing your chance of infection by more than a 100-fold), so that should be reassuring for you.
One final comment, I hate to sound like a hypochondriac that’s why I never said this before but sometimes I felt like ive had a fever and I am not sure if its psychological of physical. If my test for antibodies was negative and I feel like I have a fever, its probably in my head right? Thanks
Ugh, so the only thing I can do is get another ELISA test? Ok well then Ill get another ELISA in a month and then at the three month period. I definitely have learned strict condom use and prior testing. Keep me in your prayers.
I have one last question. Im considering getting an RNA test for HIV. Would paying for it provide anymore insight into a possible infection before the 12th week period? Thanks
That is the first time that I've ever heard a baseball analogy for describing anal sex.
Anyway, for your risk level a negative test result around 6 weeks is encouraging. It lowers the chance that you were infected (which was relatively high) by roughly a factor of 20.
However, I can't be any more precise than that. You'll need a final test at 12 weeks for a conclusive result.
Anyway, for your risk level a negative test result around 6 weeks is encouraging. It lowers the chance that you were infected (which was relatively high) by roughly a factor of 20.
However, I can't be any more precise than that. You'll need a final test at 12 weeks for a conclusive result.
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