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Just tested "reactive" and showing some symptoms
#241486 - 08/18/08 03:21 PM
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A couple of months ago I got a few bumps around my grown area, and thought perhaps it was herpes. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed it as Folliculitus, he prescribed some medication, and it is clearing up. Apparently it came about from shaving. Though after reading more about it, I found out it its some what rare for Caucasians with out HIV. I wondered why the doctor hadn't suggested an HIV test, but decided to get one anyway. I took the 20 minute oral swab test, and it came back reactive.
I've never participated in unsafe intercourse or used needles, I never even, uh, let anyone ejaculate in my mouth, so I was a bit surprised. I'm thinking I got infected through a canker soar during oral from pre-cum (or some condom slip up). I asked another forum a similar question and they all said "well it's probably a false positive". So they weren't very helpful.
Since the result came back I've noticed that my digestive system is a bit off whack, with diareah like symptoms. It seems weird that it would happen just as I found out. Though the stress and the fact that I went from full on diet mode to eating whatever I want could be contributing.
Also in the past year and a half, I've lost a big amount of weight. Around 50 lbs, though I was dieting and exercising alot, and the weight loss seemed undeniably tied to that (when I was watching what I was eating I gained weight back).
I went to get the confirmatory test results from the clinic. They told me it came back positive and handed me the paper. I looked at it, and read over the info gender: mtf ethnicity: black d.o.b: 1964. It wasn't mine. So I still don't know, and won't know until the find my test result. Probably Wednesday.
However the fact that I am a sexually active gay male living in miami with folliculitus who got a reactive on the oral swab leaves little doubt. The simplest explanation is usually true. Crazier things have happened, hell crazier things have happened to me, but I don't think I'm that lucky this time.
Anyway my question was: what is the earliest in the disease that some one could start seeing an infection like foliculitus? I understand that the best chance of living the longest life possible comes with starting treatment before the t-cell count gets below 350. Is it possible that mine could still be above 350? (I know test results will tell me soon enough, but I've already been dealing with this for three weeks with out knowing for sure and its causing a lot of stress)
I've only been sexually active for six years. I've always been safe, but I would be surprised if I got infected more than 3 years ago. I feel like an idiot now for not getting tested more regularly, but hopefully because I was safe I didn't infect anyone else.
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Well the odds are that your test will be postive. There are false positive to be sure, but better to "prepare for the worst and hope for the best". It's a confusing, emotional time. While it's just human nature to want to tie up the loose ends, the truth is if you are infected it doesn't matter when this happened. What counts is what is in front of you.
Either positive or negative, if you keep focusing on your health as you seem to have been doing, you will only find more to worry about. Stop it now.
Wait until you have something to worry about, and then take action. Get your labs and find out exactly where you stand as far as your viral load and CD4 counts. You need that information and then sit down and talk to your doctor.
I know you are going through a lot of emotions right now. Disbelief, guilt, shame, fear, confusion....normal feelings...and ones you will work through. However, this is a time it's important for you to take care of you. Your stess level is high. Find ways to de-stress yourself. 3 important words in dealing with Living with HIV. Body, Mind, Spirit. You aren't alone here.
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Hi Pitch, I am so sorry to hear about your recent reactive test. I too hope that it is a false positive, but as you have already been told expect the worst and hope for the best. If you were the "bottom" in a risky relationship, and things happen in which we have no control. I know how you feel, I have been there. When you continue to do everything right and sometimes the wrong thing happens. The best thing you can do is move forward, I know that is easier said than done, but if I can do it anybody can do it. Although giving oral has been long thought to be an unrisky behavior I am seeing more and more people who say that is how they were infected, through sores in their mouth. Honeslty, giving oral is a risky behavior, although the risk is minimal. I do hope that you test is indeed a false positive, but if it is not you will get through this and get on with your life. You are much more than gay, or living with HIV. If indeed you are positive, at least you found out at time where research and understanding of this virus has peaked and you will be able to live with this disease. Best of luck to you, welcome to the forums and hope to hear more from you.. D
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dj1979
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I too hoped for a false positive. I had myself convinced that it must be lupus, lyme disease or something else - anything but HIV. But, there was no denying it - I had full blown Acute Retroviral Syndrome, and my test was positive. When you consider that I got sick about 3 weeks after having my one and only extramarital affair, it all made perfect sense. I am still with my husband, who remains negative. I originally had a CD4 over 500, and it stayed that way for a year or so (I was diagnosed 3/16/06) Then, in mid-2007, it started falling. At first to 400, then 300, then 227. So in January of this year, I started meds - Combivir and Sustiva. My CD4 has gone back up to over 500, and my viral load is now undetectable, which is amazing since it was still over 11,000 when I started meds. I feel a lot better too, although adjusting to the meds took some time. Hang in there - this isn't a death sentence.
Donna
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