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Indeterminate HIV result after assault
I was assaulted by someone I trusted on November 28th. He didn’t use a condom and he orgasmed inside me. I have no way of getting a hold of him now to ask his HIV status because he knows police are looking for him. I live in an extremely rural area, there only one county hospital for several hours to get a rape kit done. I was not given any meds because the hospital “was out”. I tested in the 27th of December with an at home test that’s sent off to a lab. I checked for everything under the sun. Everything came back negative but I got an “indeterminate” result for my HIV test. I believe the HIV part of the test was 4th gen. Years ago I took an HIV test, just to know my status, and was told it came back a clear negative.
Now I’m absolutely terrified that I may be in the early stages of an HIV infection and I don’t know what to do. I just keep being told to retest, that mistakes and cross contamination can happen but these are only so comforting. I got the flu vaccine back in October. Right before I tested myself for HIV I had the flu and a stomach bug right after that. I was told sometimes other viruses can skew the test a bit but I don’t know how true that is. I panicked and ordered another at home test to send off whenever it gets here. No one is available to test me in person for another week and a half. My friend brought me an OraQuick test from the city. I did it last night and followed all the instructions to a T and it was a clear negative. I’m really confused and scared now and just really needed to vent. I don’t know what my odds are of actually being in the early stages of HIV and I’m not getting consistent answers from the health department here at all
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Hello @amber92 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First and foremost, I need to make sure you are safe. Are you worried about this person returning and assaulting you again? Just in case, I want to be sure you have a phone number to the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673.
It sounds like you sought care but the resources in your area weren't adequately available for complete preventative treatment. I can see why you would be nervous and needed to vent. You are doing everything you can and this isn't your fault.
I might suggest calling the hotline to see if they can provide some additional answers and/or assistance with next steps. Does that sound like something you feel safe to do?
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3 ReactionsHello @amber92. I wanted to check back in with you to see how you are doing and if you've found the resources and/or answers to help?
@amber92. What you shared is traumatic, frightening, and so very frustrating. Did you call the
the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 as suggested by @amandajro?
I too live in a rural area that does not have the resources of a larger city. May I suggest that you look into the following resources which could be within a reasonable driving distance of where you live? I'd also like to suggest that in addition for testing for HIV that such resources will test for other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea as well as HIV.
Planned Parenthood will do these tests at no cost to you.
Planned Parenthood
-- https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Is there a Women's Domestic Violence Center near you that provides resources for sexual assault and domestic violence? They usually provide counseling, advocacy, and resources that are also at no cost to the survivor.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Will you let me know what you are feeling and what you can schedule for yourself?
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