OraSure - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

My possible exposure to HIV consisted of two unprotected acts of receptive vaginal intercourse with someone of unknown HIV status. He wasn't a complete stranger or anything, and he later told me I was his first. So for a long time I had no HIV concerns. Then one day I learned about ARS and looking back I realized I had gotten sick 10-14 days (depending on whether referring to the first or second encounter) after having sex with this person. So I started freaking out.

Well, a few weeks ago, I reached my limit. I couldn't take the craziness anymore. So I went to Planned Parenthood and took the OraSure test. My results came in yesterday. I am NEGATIVE!! I took the test 5 and 1/2 mo after the possible exposure, which means the results should be definitive. But I am just wondering how reliable the OraSure test is??

When I was moving the swab around in my mouth I didn't use the flat side for most of it. Instead I used the sharper edge (the part that is only like 1mm thick). It caused chafing in my mouth, so I'm sure tissue was removed. But I am just concerned that I didn't do it right because I didn't use the flat side the whole time, and the woman told me to only keep it in there like 30sec-1min. I have heard it needs to be in there longer. I guess I should trust she knows what she's doing....

I don't know, I guess I just feel my results are too good to be true. It's hard to accept this whole nightmare is over. I just want to be sure I can trust my results. I don't want to go have a bloodtest someday when I want to have children with my now-boyfriend (who I know is HIV-neg) only to find out the OraSure test lied and that I am really positive.

Should I trust the results even though I didn't use the flat side?? Does it matter where the tissue is on the swab, as long as some is present?

Any feedback would be a huge help. I just want to know if I can finally move on with my life.......

Thanks so much,
<3 Heather in Sunny Florida

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