Had a test this morning and got the all clear. Just like to say sorry to everyone for the constant stream of paranoia and doubt. All i can do is urge anyone who is even the slightest bit worried about having HIV to get tested. The worrying and build up could drive you mad. It really wore me down and i'm so glad i got the test done, scary as it was. In fact, i think my life flashed before my eyes while waiting for those results but the peace of mind is like nothing else.

woooo hoooo!!! Imagine that man, ehhh??? Congratulations on you negative test. Keep it that way OK?

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Best wishes.

Thanks anyone. It's now 5 and a half weeks and the nurse said that i wouldn't really need a follow up test. Also, i'm freaked out again as i've just noticed a thin white layer on my tongue which i can scrape off! Is this thrush?

Does it bleed and burn when you scrape it off?? Does it come off easily? If it does not bleed, and it comes off easy, what you have my man is residue that you may have only noticed until now. Thats why dentists recommend brushing the tongue. Furthermore thrush does not usually present itself ina "thin" layer...its actually patches of grainy think white/yellowish substance that looks like cottage cheese.

Even if it was to be thrush, try to remember taht extreme stress is a causing condition for thrush. There is NO way you can have HIV-related thrush this soon. HIV-related thrush is linked to the progressive destruction of the immune system, causing an imbalance in the normal bacterial flora the body has.

Several years must pass before this destruction can visibly take place. If you were told that a 5.5week test was sufficient, now it is up to you to decide if you are comfortable with it. I take it the nurse assessed your risk exposure and that's how she concluded it was enough (probably because she thinks you are most definitely not infected).

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Best wishes.

[This message has been edited by anyone (edited 07-22-2003).]

Thanks Anyone for the advice. Re: thrush, it doesn't bleed when i scrape it off, just a bit sore and no real burning. It's only thin and i don't think it was there yesterday. The nurse knew my situation fully and said that the 3 month waiting period was to ensure that 'everyone' at risk was given sufficient time as to develop the virus if they had it. She said that 5.5 weeks would be sufficient time to test. I don't want to go on worrying like this...

And there's absolutely no way that, if indeed it was thrush, it could be HIV related at 5.5 weeks? I also read on another site that thrush doesn' develop as a result of stress.

As per a conversation with Normocrazy and others in this board. I 've decided that for everything I mention and/or support regarding the topic of HIV, I'll start documenting my sources, so to avoid being taken as if I made it up. With that said, here is an excerpt from an article from MEDLine Plus which is a medical encyclopedia from the US Library of Medicine, and the National Institutes of Health.


Definition Return to top

Oral thrush is a disorder caused by infection of the mouth with the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The mouth normally contains many microorganisms. One of these normal microorganisms is the fungus Candida albicans, which is the same fungus associated with vaginal yeast infections or other Candida infections. The growth of Candida is normally kept under control by the presence of normal bacteria.

Uncontrolled overgrowth of Candida in the mouth may be caused by factors that reduce the natural resistance, such as illness, stress, long-term use of corticosteroids or medications that suppress the immune system, and immune disorders such as (AIDS).

It may also be caused by conditions that upset the balance of normal microorganisms in the mouth. This is most commonly associated with use of antibiotics, but it may also occur with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and with the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or the use of birth control pills.

Oral thrush is most common in infants and toddlers, in the elderly, and in people who are debilitated or whose immune system has been suppressed by disease or medical treatments.

Thrush in infants is common and is usually not associated with other diseases. Infant thrush that resists treatment or recurs frequently should raise suspicions for an underlying disorder.

In adolescents, young adults, and middle age adults, an oral Candida infection should always be viewed as a possible symptom of an underlying medical problem, such as diabetes or HIV infection, and should be evaluated.

Eventhough the following will be removed, here is the link to the full article (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000966.htm)


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Best wishes.

Thanks again Anyone, much appreciated. So if it was thrush it couldn't be related to possible HIV?

Thats what I've been trying to tell you man http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Sorry, bit slow at times. Just don't want to have to go through another test - it was hell.

Sorry, bit slow at times. Just don't want to have to go through another test - it was hell.

Does anyone think i need another test?

The question is: Do YOU think you need another test? Would another test give you peace of mind, so that 6 months down the road, if you became ill, or started seeing someone you wanted to be VERY serious with, you would not have the sneaking suspicion of HIV? That you are SURE that you are ok because you had the test done at the right time? What do YOU think? Thats whats important! Good Luck, Be Safe.

On the one hand i trust the nurse 100%. She pretty much told me that there was no need for a second test. In my mind that is her saying that she is convinced i'm ok. But then on the other hand i know what i'm like and might get another bout of paranoia. Do you think that a 5.5 week test is reliable? The nurse seemed to be convinced.

I cant argue with someone IN the healthcare buisness, so if she seems to think your fine, then its possible shes right. But, then again, YOU know yourself better then ANYONE else, and if you feel like you need another, get one. Many people seroconvert by 4-6 weeks, so the odds are in your favor. MOST, (meaning VERY VERY FEW after) convert by 3 months, 12 weeks. MY OPINION ONLY!---if it was ME, I would have another because I would always worry, but thats just MY nature, and what I would do personally. YOU should do what makes YOU feel best. Sorry I cant give you a better answer, but I am wishing you the BEST of luck!

EMP YOU'RE FINE. move on with your life.

i have a question about oral thrush, they say it is a earl sign of hiv. how early does it ussually show up and how long does it last? does it just continue to come back or is it one time and gone? if anyone knows anything about this it would be nice to hear some more info. i have oral thrush and i have been stressed out lately and extremely depressed. i do not know if this would have anything to do with that. thanks.