Beyond Anxious need advice FIRST TIME HERE!!! HIV testing

Hi @mattvrrt98 and welcome to Connect. It must be so nerve-wracking to see the different stories people have and wonder if you will be an exception to HIV testing like them.

I wanted to share the following links in hopes that they will provide you some additional knowledge in HIV testing.

CDC on HIV Testing: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html

Mayo Clinic on HIV Testing: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hiv-testing/about/pac-20385018

Dr. Stacey Rizza of Mayo Clinic explains the importance of testing: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-why-you-should-be-tested-for-hiv/

Back to you @mattvrrt98 what does your doctor say about your concerns? Have you mentioned this to them?

I don’t have any insurance so I could only go to a clinic where a Nurse Practitioner runs and she told me that it could be 9 months!!! To be detected and I’m really freaking out. I’ve only been with one person once and am not sexually active at all since then. I’m really anxious. I spoke to a specialist by chance and he answered a few questions I had. And he said that a 4th generation test after 3 months is conclusive to rule out HIV. I just keep hearing 6 months and it freaks me out. I hate this feeling

Why does someone always answer the question then ask a question at the end and never respond to the response given

I am in the same boat as this person. I tested day 22, 30, and day 137 (19.5 weeks) post exposure using 4th gen lab test blood drawn from vein and all my tests are non reactive. I also took oraquicks on week 17 and 18 and they came back negative. Do I need to retest at 6 months? Also, I continue to have muscle aches in upper back and shoulders and my muscles twitch. Am I hiv free?

Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. I bet this has been an extremely stressful 4 months for you.
As to whether you are HIV free, here is the most recent guidance from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
Are you seeing a specific provider for your tests, or a community clinic?
Sue

These tests were performed at my PCPs office at Kaiser. Based on the CDC guidelines, a test that is post 90 days is conclusive and no further testing but I’m still having trouble believe my last test even though it’s 47 days beyond the exposure. It was a HIV screen test “HIV 1+2 AB+HIV1P24 AG, CLA”. I have tested negative for hep c, b, syphillis, chlamydia and gonorhea and 3 times HIV. I plan on making HIV testing routine moving forward at my yearly physical checkup. What are your thoughts? Should I do another test at 6 months? All of the people have told me I’m conclusive or sent me the CDC guidelines which state the test I took last 45 days is conclusive. I think it’s my fear of being that rare sub group who doesn’t seroconvert until later. Thank you all for your help!

I have no personal experience with HIV exposure, but I do have some experience waiting for test results for serious infections and the anxiety that is associated.

Here is my opinion - I am not a medical professional, but these are common sense guidelines.
If you are an IV drug user, get help to recover. HIV may be the least of your worries.
If you are sexually active, know your partner and their health and relationship status, use protection every time, avoid the most risky of behaviors and gettested as recommended by your PCP.
If you are sexually active with multiple partners, or your partners have multiple partners, it is prudent to take EVERY precaution you can to stay healthy. With the new risk of monkey pox in addition to all the other diseases, it may be prudent to rethink your behavior.

What are you doing to avoid risks and stay healthy now and in the future? Getting tested afterward is really more of a bandaid approach.
Sue

It was a one time unprotected vaginal. Person of unknown status. I asked her if she was “clean” and she said yes trust me. Didn’t trust so I tested on those days post exposure. I do not inject drugs or have multiple partners. I want to say that my test at day 137 would have turned positive if I were truly positive but I have been doing too much googling and research that now I think it can be a false negative. All the forums say symptoms don’t matter it’s all about testing and all of the people I come across tell me to move on, my last test is conclusive and I do not have the infection. I will do my best to learn from my horrible experience and move on with my life. I attribute my muscle pain to GAD.

Hello doctor, 81 days ago i had sex with sex worker,i used durex condom,that time condom slipped middle of my penis I adjusted and did sex, but my penis head covered, and I don’t know condom are tear or not,then i drop of saliva on her nipple then i suck.after 3 days i have sore throat(still present 81days running) mildly nasal congestion(not have cold),sometimes feels night sweat. I take 4th gen combo cmia test 3,4,5,6&9weeks and 11th week i get VDRL test all are came negative. I take other std test? What test i il take? At the same time i get stomach ulcer. Incase stomach ulcer cause sore throat? I feel acid reflux also. Now im too worried doctor. Waiting for 90th day.

Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a group of patients and their supporters, not doctors. Therefore we cannot answer your medical questions, so you need to go back and talk to the doctor.

You asked whether the stomach ulcer can cause a sore throat - not usually, but acid reflux can do that. The fact that all your tests are negative is very encouraging.

Please take a deep breath and phone your doctor or clinic for advice.
Sue