Talking about home testing for HIV

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ANXKID

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Possible exposure to HIV

Hi, I had a possible exposure 8 weeks ago. Within the first couple of weeks after this I obtained a cough and sore throat.
Further on from this I was hospitalised with hypertension blood pressure was literally through the roof 160/125. I’m 35 and lean very healthy (well was) . I’ve been on medication to reduce my pressure which I’m controlling to around 140/90 can’t get it any lower at the moment. The 6th week I started getting white tongue or oral thrush and now on 8th week developing ulcers. My whole body is aching and get night sweats although I’ve always had this I maybe just noticing this more through worry. I haven’t had the flu or fever and have no rash..I took a biosure test at 7 weeks and 8 weeks they are negative. I’m still very tired and lack of energy, I’m eating but I haven’t been,again probably due to worry. My recent bloods are showing 0.71 white cells or something where they should be between 1-4 and liver readings increased.
In between this I did have a bacterial infection and took a high dose of antibiotics. Im sick with worry and get migraines when thinking about it.
I know the tests aren’t conclusive at 8 weeks but do you think it’s more of an anxiety and google issue as I have every symptom on there for hiv ….. Basically what are the chances of the test changing from 8 weeks to 12?

1 Responses

Becky, BioSure UK Ltd
 Work on 27th October 2021

Hi ANXKID, Sorry to hear that you have been experiencing all those symptoms, but glad to hear that you are on top of your health. The symptoms that you have described are similar to those experienced during HIV seroconversion but there could be a number of other explanations. A negative result at 7 AND 8 weeks are extremely good indications of your status, and yes although the test is not yet conclusive, your result is unlikely to change in another 4 weeks. The percentage of people who produce antibodies at 6 weeks is around 95% which suggests that you are most likely in that percentage of people who produce detectable levels of antibodies by 6 weeks post exposure. However, there really is no way to know for sure until the 12 week result. Unfortunately there is not a lot else I can recommend to do except to retest at 12 weeks post exposure to know your status for sure. In the meantime, try not to Google too much. If you are really worried about your status, you can always test using a 4th gen test and get your conclusive result now. Hope this helps. Kindest regards, Becky

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