Aa
on line testing
Hello doctor,
I asked this question already in other forums. However, my anxiety is growing every day...I did my test using getstdtested.com... it came negative 3 and 6 months after exposure. I had my lymph nodes enlarged for 6-7 months and they shrinked now. I have diarreah now for about 2 months (anxiety?) and started to cough a little...lost weigh, about 5 pounds in about a week.... So, the question is: can i trust my results? Do u know about the reliability of this company?
I asked this question already in other forums. However, my anxiety is growing every day...I did my test using getstdtested.com... it came negative 3 and 6 months after exposure. I had my lymph nodes enlarged for 6-7 months and they shrinked now. I have diarreah now for about 2 months (anxiety?) and started to cough a little...lost weigh, about 5 pounds in about a week.... So, the question is: can i trust my results? Do u know about the reliability of this company?
Oh Dr..I never meant to continue the discussion. I do accept your excellent answer and yes... I have to fight this OCD. But it's my fight. Thanks again for bieng there for me. And thanks for this forum!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I modified my initial answer to eliminate a typographical error, and deleted the original version.
Try to accept the reassurance and move on. If you cannot, counseling is in order. I won't have any further comments or advice. This forum cannot help you further.
Try to accept the reassurance and move on. If you cannot, counseling is in order. I won't have any further comments or advice. This forum cannot help you further.
Thanks a lot, i think at this time point i am satisfied and trying to get myself to understand that I don't have an HIV. My OCD however, getting really annoying with all those "what if' and "yes but"... I am trying to get myself to exercise, smile, spend time with friends and my daughter and hope that this OCD and anxiety will go away eventually, taking with them all my symptoms.... except for those lymph nodes... and what if? :-)... By the way, I noticed that you deleted part of your answer, was there any problem with that? Anyways, i am happy someone actually heard about them coz many many other people (including physicians and scientists) never did. that was a little frustrating.
As a matter of fact i didn't use on-line kit, i was set up with the lab, which prob even better, since they use the services of respected labs but for some reason when i tried to talk to them.. they were rude and unprofessional.
As a matter of fact i didn't use on-line kit, i was set up with the lab, which prob even better, since they use the services of respected labs but for some reason when i tried to talk to them.. they were rude and unprofessional.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
I agree with the reassuring response you had from Dr. Cummings on the international forum -- except I would reassue you in even stronger terms. All the online testing services in the US use only highly reliable, FDA-approved HIV tests. That includes getstdtested.com.
Test results always outweigh symptoms in judging whether or not someone has HIV, as long as testing is done sufficiently long after exposure or onset of symptoms -- and for the HIV antibody tests, 3 and 6 months are more than enough time. Those test results PROVE that your lymph node problem wasn't caused by HIV. Further, as Dr. Cummings advised you, there are many causes other than HIV. Ditto for diarrhea and cough.
If your symptoms continue or you remain concerned, find a doctor you trust and follow his or her advice about it. But you definitely can forget HIV as the cause.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I agree with the reassuring response you had from Dr. Cummings on the international forum -- except I would reassue you in even stronger terms. All the online testing services in the US use only highly reliable, FDA-approved HIV tests. That includes getstdtested.com.
Test results always outweigh symptoms in judging whether or not someone has HIV, as long as testing is done sufficiently long after exposure or onset of symptoms -- and for the HIV antibody tests, 3 and 6 months are more than enough time. Those test results PROVE that your lymph node problem wasn't caused by HIV. Further, as Dr. Cummings advised you, there are many causes other than HIV. Ditto for diarrhea and cough.
If your symptoms continue or you remain concerned, find a doctor you trust and follow his or her advice about it. But you definitely can forget HIV as the cause.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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