Hello to all,

I used to read this board and post a lot a few months ago but I've scaled back my viewing due to a number of things. However this board is always a good avenue to get support and I appreciate that more than anything. My story is located on page 3 now. I won't go into all the details but three months ago I had sex with a former partner. For some reason I thought I had contracted HIV. I like many thought I had all the symptoms. I convinced myself that I had HIV. At the six week mark I nervously went to the clinic and got tested. It came back negative. Since about that time I've been quite sure that I don't have HIV. Now that it is coming up to the three month test (ON THURSDAY) I'm starting to have the "symptoms I think I have" creep back. sore throat, white tongue and blotchy skin that only seems to last for a few minutes. My question and sorry if I'm boring anyone is do you think because I know i'm getting tested again that I'm making myself feel like I have HIV. Again refer to my story on page three, but I have had three doctors tell me that I don't have it and the girl in question (an ex girlfriend of mine) swears she doesn't have it. Also I'm told it's very hard for a man to get it from a woman from a one time encounter. Is this true? Also shouldn't I feel somekind of relief because of the six week test? I know it's not conclusive but the rate of negative test must corelate to non exposure, right? I mean I'm sorry to be taking up valuable space but as I write this I realize that I'm becoming irrational and I guess I just hope that I can get some positive Karma from all the readers.

GOD BLESS.
JOHN

Freaked out, i wish you the best. I too feel i go up and down in my quest for the 3 month mark. I tested negative at 7 weeks, and just did a test for 10 weeks. Hopefully, this will hold me off until 14 weeks. I hope the best for you, and remember, the 6 week negative is very indicative of what you will recieve at 3 months. The overwhelming majority contract the virus between 4-6 weeks. Im sure everything will be fine. If only i could convince myself that.

Regretful,

It would appear that we have similar situations. I hope and pray for the best for you. Also I forgot to put into my little diatribe that I've gaine 23 pounds in three months since my possible exposure (again my partner swears she's clean but you never know right). Now if I had hiv would I be able to gain all that weight?

GOD BLESS

I think our minds are really stressing us out. Your 6 week negative is a very very good sign. You can't judge this virus by its symptoms, as it has been stressed time and time again. Someone please chime in here. What are the chances of being hiv+ after a negative 6 week test? Im sure ive read that most people seroconvert within 4 weeks. Take care, and God bless.

Does anyone else know what the percentage of those who test negative at 6 weeks come back with a positive result at the end of 90 days? Nyxin you seem to be very keen on this subject can you help me out. I guess when it comes down to it I should just trust the doctors and the fact that the girl I had unprotected sex with states that she doesn't have it. I hope I can. I just can't shake this feeling. GOD BLESS. All positive remarks are welcomed. Thanks a bunch.

JOHN

first af all just because someone says that they are negative doesn't mean anything. they may not know, never been tested or simply do not care.

that being said i really can not give you a stat on a 6 week mark. the CDC says 3 months, or 12 weeks. some information says that a "good majority" of the population will serconvent in 30 days, but that is such a vauge statement, "good majority" i think it would be irresponsible (sp? sheesh what is wrong with me?) to say yay or nay on the 6 week mark as i am NOT a medical professional. have you tried the CDC hot line? i have said a million times that the rate of transmission is so very very very low and out of the millions and millions and millions of people that have unprotected sex in the US everyday, only 40,000 people turn up positive a year. test at the 3 month mark and never look back!!!!

But isn't it true that the Dept of Massachusetts states 6 week is conclusive? I spoke to them, and i was told that they state 3 months because those are people that have a weakened immune system, prior to their exposure.

The CDC says 6 months for weak immune systems and 90 days for everyone else. i do not live in Masschusetts so i have no idea what they think, but i am going to stick to the info from the CDC as they are the experts.