I have already tested negative at 3 months and once at 5 months, and I would put this all behind me, BUT I am still having symtoms! First, i have what seems to be a yeast infection for three months that wont go away, and now I have been suffering diarrhea for the past month. It happens maybe like 2 x's a week! This is driving me insane. Should I test again? Is it possible that I am in the late stages of the disease and its not showing up? Are these symptoms of the late stage? I went to the doctor and they said everything was fine, CBC normal, and everything.. I tell myself if it was a later stage then my CBC would've been screwed up by now? Is this logical thinking?

Your not having symptoms that are SPECIFIC to HIV. There are many other things that can cause reoccuring yeast infections. And before you can say its a yeast infection, it needs diagnosing, each time. Vaginosis can be mistaken for a yeast infection, and sometimes bladder infections will mimic them. Endometriosis is also possible. HIV usually only causes yeast infections in women late in the disease.Unless your last exposure was 5 years aso or later, you have not progressed into late stage HIV or AIDS. Diarrehea 2 times a week is not a sign. HIV related diarrehea lasts up to a week, or longer, and is constantly loose, watery stools. It doesnt stop and start again. That is why there is weight loss also. Like I said,unless you could be 5 years or more into the disease, you are not in late stages of it, and yes, by now if you WERE there would be something wrong with your CBC.

6 months PAST possible exposure is recomended ONLY for people with work related injuries, or people who were with KNOWN HIV+ people. So, if you feel like you need it test again, and it will be 100% conclusiv, no if, and or buts.

Your not having symptoms that are SPECIFIC to HIV. There are many other things that can cause reoccuring yeast infections. And before you can say its a yeast infection, it needs diagnosing, each time. Vaginosis can be mistaken for a yeast infection, and sometimes bladder infections will mimic them. Endometriosis is also possible. HIV usually only causes yeast infections in women late in the disease.Unless your last exposure was 5 years aso or later, you have not progressed into late stage HIV or AIDS. Diarrehea 2 times a week is not a sign. HIV related diarrehea lasts up to a week, or longer, and is constantly loose, watery stools. It doesnt stop and start again. That is why there is weight loss also. Like I said,unless you could be 5 years or more into the disease, you are not in late stages of it, and yes, by now if you WERE there would be something wrong with your CBC.

6 months PAST possible exposure is recomended ONLY for people with work related injuries, or people who were with KNOWN HIV+ people. So, if you feel like you need it test again, and it will be 100% conclusiv, no if, and or buts.

Maybe helpful....you indicated that if someone were 5 years plus into the disease then something would be wrong with your CBC count. Is this to say that if after 5 years a blood test was given and your CBC count was normal then HIV is highly unlikely?

Thanks Maybehelpful & I think what she means is that if you have an hiv negative test and normal cbc count five years past exposure then you would be ok. The point is really that if you were to get a false negative from an hiv test due to depeletion of antibodies, then your cbc count at this point would most likely not be in normal range. That is not to say that after 5 years, your cbc would be a sufficient indicator, you would still need to be tested.

Ive NEVER done this before so just bare with me. I have had recurring gardnerella infection off and on for the last two years and i was just surfing the internet and founs a sight that said BV/gardnerella is highly associated with diabetes and hiv. I just got done puking and i am a nervous wreck! My ex was very promiscuous and cheated on me god knows how many times with some very nasty women. I am in tears over this because i am scared to get a test because my life will be over if its positive. I have three children who need me. I was with him for 5 years and been split up from him for almost two. I also have diahrea constantly and all this time suspected that i have IBS and stress. Now I am so scared that im crying. He is in prison now, Dont they test prisoners for HIV? Someone please help me!!!

Ive NEVER done this before so just bare with me. I have had recurring gardnerella infection off and on for the last two years and i was just surfing the internet and founs a sight that said BV/gardnerella is highly associated with diabetes and hiv. I just got done puking and i am a nervous wreck! My ex was very promiscuous and cheated on me god knows how many times with some very nasty women. I am in tears over this because i am scared to get a test because my life will be over if its positive. I have three children who need me. I was with him for 5 years and been split up from him for almost two. I also have diahrea constantly and all this time suspected that i have IBS and stress. Now I am so scared that im crying. He is in prison now, Dont they test prisoners for HIV? Someone please help me!!!

BV and yeast infections are common in hiv positive and hiv negative women. So when you have the problem, and you read this stuff you get scared. I was the same way, but it is important to remember that more women with reoccuring bv/yeast do not have hiv. The best thing you can do is get tested, so that you can relax, it is better than worrying about it and making yourself sick. And yes, as far as I know they do test you for hiv in prision. My brother went to jail at one point and told me they test there. I do not know what happens if someone tests positive in prision, and if you ex did test positive, how would you know about it? Not trying to scare you, but don't rely on his possible test for your results. Try to get tested as soon as possible, so you can stop worrying about this. If you have a planned parenthood in your neighborhood they have a 20minute test you can get, which is a lot better than waiting a week for your results. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

The thing that scares me is i have a gynecologist and he is aware of all this and he just acts like im crazy and blows it off but wheni seen that article about BV being in highly related to AIDS i was horrified. If i go to planned parenthood wont they make me give them a list of all my sexual partners for the past ten years? and will they come to my home? Im just scared about the confidentiality of all this. How does all that work? God, I am so scared. The main thing that scares me is i have three kids 15, 11 and 8 and i worry about what would i tell them? It would break their hearts. I havent even been able to sleep yet cuz i am so upset about all this. Then i think about if it was positive, Does that mean im going to die soon, do i need to make out a will? things like that. Im only 33 years old and im not ready ta go yet....ty so much for replying...

The thing that scares me is i have a gynecologist and he is aware of all this and he just acts like im crazy and blows it off but wheni seen that article about BV being in highly related to AIDS i was horrified. If i go to planned parenthood wont they make me give them a list of all my sexual partners for the past ten years? and will they come to my home? Im just scared about the confidentiality of all this. How does all that work? God, I am so scared. The main thing that scares me is i have three kids 15, 11 and 8 and i worry about what would i tell them? It would break their hearts. I havent even been able to sleep yet cuz i am so upset about all this. Then i think about if it was positive, Does that mean im going to die soon, do i need to make out a will? things like that. Im only 33 years old and im not ready ta go yet....ty so much for replying...

Okay- I completely understand your fears , but you are jumping to conclusions. You first need to get tested! I went to planned parenthood the first time I got tested, they did not ask me anything. They made me fill out a consent form, then took a little needle and pricked it in my finger. I waited for twenty minutes, and they told me the results, that was all. They did not ask me for 10 years of sexual history! In fact they only asked (on the form) when the last time I had unprotected sex was. Just go and get the test for your peace of mind. I know it is hard; you think if you are positive, how can you tell your children. I felt the same way with my mom! I am only 24 years old and I am the "good one" in my family, I thought it would break my mom's and brother's hearts also. If your last exposure was two years ago, your test will be conclusive, and I know you will be more careful in the future! I know I am now, I will never jeapordize my life for anyone ever again. I was seeing someone who wanted to have sex w/out a condom recently, and I would not do it.......hey if he doesn't wear one with me then I assume he doesn't wear one with anybody! Do you know he had the nerve to say "why are you so paranoid; do you have something ?" The iggnorance of people pisses me off, like they "think" they don't have anything, but you never "know" unless your tested. And for the BV, browse through the women's sexual health board on here and see how many women have reoccuring bv. Go as soon as you can to be tested, for your peace of mind.

Ya know for being so young, you sure have a good head on your shoulders! Thank you very much for replying cuz this is really making me nuts, I think I am going to go in today and get tested. I just pray to god that I am negative. I will keep everyone posted on my results. and ty!

Scared: You have gotten some REALLY great advice here! It is essential that you be tested, to help put your fears to rest! Keep us posted!!

Ya know for being so young, you sure have a good head on your shoulders! Thank you very much for replying cuz this is really making me nuts, I think I am going to go in today and get tested. I just pray to god that I am negative. I will keep everyone posted on my results. and ty!


i was the same exact way. i got a rare colon infection, i mean like no one has heard of it. if someone does get it, it's because of a severe immune problem, and the only thing EVER referenced as to a cause for this infection was AIDS or leukiemia. not a very good selection of ways i thought i was going to die. the doctors all seemed aloof as to why or how i got it. my white blood cell count was where is was supposed to be so it wasn't leukiemia, and i donno why they didn't test me then for HIV. in fact, the chances of a normally healthy person getting what i got is like 1 in 500,000. great, i guess i should play the lottery. then the more i thought about it, the more i started to convince myself i had other HIV symptoms. then i was convinced i had full blown aids AND leukemia and it was all over. i threw-up constantly, which really reconfirmed my fears. i had to get on a panic disorder medication because i couldn't function. then i finally got the courage to get tested. i just knew it was going to be positive because that is just the kind of luck i have, a cheating dick of an ex boyfriend like what you went through. and now with a 5 month old baby, and a wonderful husband i was convinced i was going to die. well, the day they said my results would be in came and went. i got even sicker because i thought they mixed up the blood work, lost it or even worse, there was something really wrong and they had to figure out a way to tell me in person. i called the doctors office and the secretary said "oh, i will go see if i can find it" i was on hold for at least 3 minuets and i could not breathe. she came back and told me "everything looks great, negative on the one and your blood work looks perfect, have a nice day." i cried so hard. i am still having aches and pains in my abdomen, and i find myself wondering, but i can;t do that anymore because it is taking over my life as if i did have HIV anyway. i really hope you are ok. if your fears don't stop after you are tested, get help on the mental end. we are all here for you. :)

Thank you ALL so much for your replies, I can never tell you how much you all have helped me ease my mind a little. I have decided to get tested at our Planned Parenthood on Monday and either way the results go I will be just fine because i am a fighter and i dont give up easy. I have 3 wonderful kids who need me and i ajust aint ready yet! I will keep you all posted and updated on my results. once again, THNAK YOU so much, ALL of you!!!!!!!

Planned Parenthood is great....they helped me get through my test....so best of luck to you and keep us updated!!