Need advice on HIV testing

[Andro Dunos]

Just got back from LOS about 5 weeks ago. I am a bit nervous as I had about 15 seconds of bareback with a BG and received several BBBJs from different girls. All other sex was 100% condoms.

 

So far I have gotten two tests: 1 DNA PCR test @ 72 hours after last possible exposure, and 1 rapid antibody test @ 20 days. Both were negative, however I know I'm inside the testing window for detection on both. What I don't know is how accurate the tests can be at the times I took them, as I've read lots of conflicting information about when each is detectable.

 

For DNA tests many sites say HIV is detectable in as little as 48-72 hours post exposure, but most doctors say 28 days is the definitive time to test. From what I've read I'm assuming the test is fairly accurate in the very early stages, around 95%, but doctors don't want to recommend a test until it's around 99% for reliability purposes. I've also read this test is not FDA approved for early detection, but because it can yield false-positives more often than other tests.

 

For antibody testing I've read that the average time to seroconversion is 21 days, and again 3 months is the definitive time to be 99% sure.

 

I've been mainly symptom free besides a nagging sore throat that's been going on over a month now, starting about 4 days after last possible exposure.

 

Does anyone know roughly how reliable these tests are at the times I took them? I'm still sweating a bit here!!

 

Thanks!!!

[Dr.Winston]

Relax, the odds of you having contracted HIV are ridiculously small. TBH I think that you are just experiencing delayed guilt or uncertainty about sleeping with bar girls.

[jojomecanic]

For antibody testing I've read that the average time to seroconversion is 21 days, and again 3 months is the definitive time to be 99% sure.

 

The "antibodies" test you did is it the Abbott+Elisa test ? It is the most common test nowadays and it does also test antigen P24 that appears 14 days after infection. This method is used now nearly all over the world to be able to detect as early as possible any infection.

 

That said, I would had 2 comments :

 

- your chance to get HIV is maybe one over a million ! Maybe less. So if your plane didn't crash on the way back, you've escape a much bigger risk.

 

- 3 month is not the 99% sure. 99% of infected people turn positive after 3 weeks. Just because scientists don't know if it could happen or not that someone could turn positive a bit later, they stick to the 3 month to be sure...

 

So relax, everything will be fine.

[Andro Dunos]

The "antibodies" test you did is it the Abbott+Elisa test ? It is the most common test nowadays and it does also test antigen P24 that appears 14 days after infection. This method is used now nearly all over the world to be able to detect as early as possible any infection.

 

That said, I would had 2 comments :

 

- your chance to get HIV is maybe one over a million ! Maybe less. So if your plane didn't crash on the way back, you've escape a much bigger risk.

 

- 3 month is not the 99% sure. 99% of infected people turn positive after 3 weeks. Just because scientists don't know if it could happen or not that someone could turn positive a bit later, they stick to the 3 month to be sure...

 

So relax, everything will be fine.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. The antibody/ ? test I took was a rapid oral saliva test...do they incorporate antigen testing into stuff like that or is a blood sample required?

 

Either way, if you're really certain 99% of people test positive after 3 weeks I don't have much to worry about.

[Slacker]

If you're that concerned, ask the people that conducted your tests...they are the experts.

[CrazyNyoung]

Relax, the odds of you having contracted HIV are ridiculously small. TBH I think that you are just experiencing delayed guilt or uncertainty about sleeping with bar girls.

 

 

with the blowjobs? Or what? Because I think i remember the odds of getting HIV from a BJ are pretty slim. Even without a condom during sex the odds are 1 in 500.

[Dr.Winston]

with the blowjobs? Or what? Because I think i remember the odds of getting HIV from a BJ are pretty slim. Even without a condom during sex the odds are 1 in 500.

Actually, what I meant was I think that the odds of the thread starter having contracted HIV were very small in the circumstances he described which basically amounted to a single condom break incident of short duration. Those HIV transmission odds quoted for heterosexuals are gleaned from controlled circumstances where all the factors are known, like married couples.

 

Personally I wouldn't read too much into them as to their relevance for P4P situations in Pattaya or anywhere. I do believe It's hard to catch but then I do know people who have been unlucky and caught it from Thai bar girls.

[CyberQ]

The "antibodies" test you did is it the Abbott+Elisa test ? It is the most common test nowadays and it does also test antigen P24 that appears 14 days after infection. This method is used now nearly all over the world to be able to detect as early as possible any infection.

 

The antigen test is used together with the antibody test nowdays and is very accurate from about day 13 until day 21, after that one has to wait for the antibodies. Most people have antibodies already from week 3 so...

 

but doctors says 3 months to be sure for the antibody test....

 

I've taken the antigen test after a condom broke, but it's not much of use after a long vacation as you don't know when you can have been exposed....so better wait the 3 months...

[CrazyNyoung]

Actually, what I meant was I think that the odds of the thread starter having contracted HIV were very small in the circumstances he described which basically amounted to a single condom break incident of short duration. Those HIV transmission odds quoted for heterosexuals are gleaned from controlled circumstances where all the factors are known, like married couples.

 

Personally I wouldn't read too much into them as to their relevance for P4P situations in Pattaya or anywhere. I do believe It's hard to catch but then I do know people who have been unlucky and caught it from Thai bar girls.

 

any features the would give them away?

[Dr.Winston]

any features the would give them away?

 

The internet is full of stuff about both early and late HIV symptoms. In all probability early symptoms probably wouldn't be noticeable in somebody else and you could end up paranoid by looking for them. Best seek advice from conventional and respected medical sites, be careful though because you can find sites that will tell you whatever you want to hear.

 

Personally I think that looking for it in others is a flawed approach to protection in a P4P scenario, it's putting the responsibility elsewhere but yourself. Condom use is how I'd put my mind at ease (My two mates who contracted it both hated wearing condoms and avoided their use at every opportunity) but making your own mind up is of course the bottom line.

[pubstud]

"a nagging sore throat that's been going on over a month now" is cause for alarm. Have you seen a GP about this? If you were having oral sex with bargirls in Thailand you may well have a throat infection, possibly GC or some similar STD.

[CrazyNyoung]

The internet is full of stuff about both early and late HIV symptoms. In all probability early symptoms probably wouldn't be noticeable in somebody else and you could end up paranoid by looking for them. Best seek advice from conventional and respected medical sites, be careful though because you can find sites that will tell you whatever you want to hear.

 

Personally I think that looking for it in others is a flawed approach to protection in a P4P scenario, it's putting the responsibility elsewhere but yourself. Condom use is how I'd put my mind at ease (My two mates who contracted it both hated wearing condoms and avoided their use at every opportunity) but making your own mind up is of course the bottom line.

 

 

Thanks Boss. i use a condom everytime.

[tkSydney]

One doc told me the world health organisation are currently saying the chance of HIV infection is 1 in 140 if having sex with a HIV+ female.

I have no idea the % of Thai sex workers who have HIV. Though I've read it could be no more than 5%.

 

SO

 

Assume you have a 5% chance of selecting a girl with HIV or 1/20 then 1/140 of actually catching it off her.

It works out around 1/2000 I think. I still got tested, though with those odds it really isn't worth worring about.

 

 

I read another study, couples were they woman was HIV+ who had regular unprotected sex. Only about 15 of the men had contracted the virus after 12 months.