like someone who posted before me i am kinda worried about HIV. i also feel joint pain and fatigue...i think maybe some is from not much sleep cuz of my schedule but then i start freaking when i think about the articles i posted before that my b/f had on HIV. (yes i still have to talk to him about it, i think im just going to tell him that every year in june i go in for a test for STDs-that isnt a lie cuz i do, and would like him to come with me)...even though i just tested bout 2 weeks and it was negative i worry that i didnt wait long enough for antibodies to develop.
what is that ARS (is that what it was called) that i thought i seen someone post on here?
what really are the early symptoms of HIV? i know people say dont diagnose from the internet and i know thats true cuz i found out in 2004 that i have herpes and the internet didnt help none...and i think thats why im freakin out about HIV cuz i feel so vulnerable to STDs now...
what is the shortest amount of time to test for antibodies? im just worried that i didnt wait long enough...enough though orasure said 28-30 days...
since it was negative shouldnt i be in the clear? cuz it was about a month after i had unprotected sex.
thanks for any help in advance!

what is that ARS (is that what it was called) that i thought i seen someone post on here?
what really are the early symptoms of HIV? i know people say dont diagnose from the internet and i know thats true cuz i found out in 2004 that i have herpes and the internet didnt help none...and i think thats why im freakin out about HIV cuz i feel so vulnerable to STDs now...
what is the shortest amount of time to test for antibodies? im just worried that i didnt wait long enough...enough though orasure said 28-30 days...
since it was negative shouldnt i be in the clear? cuz it was about a month after i had unprotected sex.
thanks for any help in advance!
ARS are the symptoms one MAY experience after being infected (about 2-4 weeks after) and it's a flu like illness, usually with a fever. most people who have been infected either don't remember having ARS (because its so similar to a flu/virus) or did not experience ARS.
Orasure detects antibodies 28-30 days after, to my knowledge. So if you've waited a month, you're in the clear!! I think maybe you are just replaying the things you've found and what's happened with your boyfriend in your head. If you have a lack of trust with him, that's what the problem is, and it could be what's cauing your fear (happened with me). So take some time to think about everything thats going on, get rid of the negatives in your life, and be happy about your negative!!!! :) I hope this helps, and we'll be here if you need to talk or vent!
-Sarah

Reallyworried, I know that you're scared. HIV is a very scary thing. I know how you feel. When I thought I had it, I replayed in my head the idea of getting tested and being told that I'm positive. I took the 20 minute test. I remember waiting in the lobby for the results, looking at the clock every five minutes. They gave me the results exactly 3 minutes late. During that 3 minutes I thought that forsure they were prepairing to give me the bad news. "How would I react?", "What would I tell my boyfriend?", "I just ruined my childrens lives!", "How could I tell my family?". It's almost like your preparing for your own funeral. It makes life so surreal. I truely believe that you are healthy. Take this last test for peace of mind. When it comes back neg., move on. Turn this chapter in your life. The other issue with your b/f needs to come to an end all so. You need to talk to him.

thank u both for your replies. yeah i do think most of it is a trust thing with my b/f. and some of it is that i feel so suseptible to stds. i havent had any flu like symptoms or felt sick really and i had that negative test, i dont know why i keep dwelling on this.
once i talk this stuff over with my b/f and take another test i know i will feel better.
again, thank u for listening and for your advice!