Very troubling past...

[crf250x]

Good evening everyone, I'm going to make this short and sweet. First, I'd like to thank you guys for being here for me, if it wasn't for this forum, god knows where I'd be right now. Tomorrow, I'm also going to post a question in the Doctor's forum. Basically, I've had a wild past, regardless of what I have done, and who I have been with, my last exposure was about 3 years ago. I'm a 22 year old may who became sexually active around age 15. I've had what was diagnosed as EBV in the past and suffered from an NGU. Though I've never had a test other than a chly/gonn test for the NGU that I had been suffering from (which returned negative) I've started thinking about my past. I plan on getting married within the next few years and need some advice. So here we go....

My last sexual encounter was 3 years ago. I know the window period is said to be from 6 weeks to 3 months, however, does having a test say at a year post exposure have decreased accuracy or increased? I never understood the idea behind the 'window period'. The way I understood it was, during your initial infection, you are most vulnerable for passing the infection on and having a high viral count, therefore waiting a year post exposure, does that make the test less accurate?

Secondly, I've had (2) Oral Oraquick Advance tests that were confirmed to be NEGATIVE. I've read on the mfg's website about so many positive and negative aspects of the test. One of the positive things being the high accuracy and the negative being there are so many variables that come into play when administering as well as taking the test.

Third, I've been having 3 ~ 4 month reoccurring IBS symptoms (loose stools, not quite diarrhea).

Fourth, I've developed a nasty little something on my chin. It's right under my bottom lip and above my chin. It looks like red lesions that are quite dry after stepping out of the shower. I'm scared it could be sebhorreric dermatitis (after reading info on other websites) which is a sign of late stages of HIV and AIDS. It seems to flare up at random period of the day. One day, they just popped up so, I dunno what they could possible be.

Fifth, I've been having small, light, but sharp stomach pains localized on my right side (left from looking at me).

Unfortunately, I am currently unemployed and do not have med. insurance so...I'm kinda screwed at the moment, otherwise I would have sought professional help from a doctor. So right now, what do you guys think? I have had 2 negative Oral Oraquick Advance tests > 3 years from my last exposure.

Thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

you are conclusively negative...

any symptoms you may be having, are not related to hiv.

[troggs]

I get a complete check-up every year and test for all stds while i'm there just as a precautionary measure.

[crf250x]

Appreciate all the help chapeau. You've really made this troubling situation easier to deal with. Just curious, are you saying you get tested every two years or a physical? I was unsure about what you meant about that first sentence. Again, thanks chapeau.

[troggs]

See man...i go once a year even though my doctor told me that i only need to go every two years at my age if that. I just don't want them to drop the bomb on me and then say...yeah man that's what you get for waiting so long. Do you drink 2 ltrs of water per day? If not it will do a lot to help clear up your skin...that and green tea. I read this book by Nicholas Perricone my mother had and it changed me up within weeks-he's a dermatologist. Your more than good with the test results you got you can get married without any fears man. I hope i helped you CRF, good luck with all your plans...

[crf250x]

Well, the last physical I had was back in high school but it was strictly for required purposes because I played football. Other than that, I'm NEVER sick. If and when I get a cold, it lasts 3 - 4 days, MAX. It's just recently since I started worrying about HIV that I began to have outbreaks and such. Prior to that, I never had an issue to begin with.

So, testing negative post 3 years, am I in the clear? Is a blood test warranted? WB? NAT? PCR-DNA? I'm not too familiar with tests in general, there's so much confusing information to be found....

I don't see how an 'oral' test can detect HIV. I see how oral mucous contains the dead antibody cells or what not, but what if saliva comes in contact with the strip? I mean, saliva itself does not contain HIV so, wouldn't the oral test be invalid to some extent? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just worried.

[troggs]

I'm sorry i made this post in error...
I'll tell this is that this is hiv anxiety...
Stress can cause outbreaks, rashes, all kinds of things CRF.
When is the last time you had a complete physical-not just a visit based on a specific symptom, ect?

[crf250x]

I have already tested negative twice using the Oral Oraquick Advance testing method. I can't help at noticing I continue to develop skin problems - mainly on my chin. It seems like I'm getting more pimples than usual as well. Could it be from the stress? Anxiety?

[troggs]

Have you made an appointment for a test Crf-250?