So i'm gonna get tested

[FranKieC]

I was tested last week and it came back fine

Lemme tell you it's the worst 4 days waiting for the results. I will go get re-tested in about 4 months. I read something the other day where it sayd 18 days is the lag time.

[Kale]

HIV testing
The HIV test looks for antibodies in a person's blood. When HIV (which is a virus) enters a person's body, special chemicals are produced. These are called antibodies. Antibodies are the body's response to an infection. So if a person has antibodies to HIV in their blood, it means they have been infected with HIV (an exception is the case of an HIV negative baby born to a positive mother, who will retain her antibodies for some months).

Most people develop these antibodies within 3 months of infection. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months. It would be extremely uncommon to take longer than 6 months for antibodies to develop.

Getting tested earlier than 3 months may result in an unclear test result, as an infected person may not yet have developed antibodies to HIV. The time between infection and the development of antibodies is called the window period. In the window period people infected with HIV have no antibodies in their blood that can be detected by an HIV test. However, the person may already have high levels of HIV in their blood, sexual fluids or breast milk. HIV can be passed on to another person during the window period even though an HIV test will not show that you are infected with HIV. So it is best to wait for at least three months after the last time you were at risk before taking the test. Some test centres may recommend testing again at 6 months, just to be extra sure.

It is also important that you are not at further risk of getting infected with HIV during this time period. The test is only accurate if there are no other exposures between the time of possible exposure to HIV and testing.

The only way to know for sure whether you are infected with HIV is to have an HIV antibody test. It is not possible to tell from any symptoms.

[FranKieC]

Here is a good link..http://www.avert.org/hivtesting.htm#q7

What is a p24 antigen test?

A p24 antigen test is a type of HIV test. It is primarily used to screen the blood supply but in some places it is used for testing for HIV. The p24 antigen is a protein that is part of the HIV. Early in the infection, it is produced in excess and can be detected in the blood serum by a commercial test. The p24 test can detect HIV infection before the HIV antibody test can and it is recommended you take the test 2-3 weeks after a risk exposure. Therefore, p24 antigen test is used in diagnosing HIV early in the course of infection.

[FranKieC]

BTW I am really freaked out by this thread. Now in May I have to go again grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

[chest6]

mm yess avenged sevenfold..every song is amazing. Im scared Ive got something dammit. I dont want a big rod stuck up there

[FranKieC]

They only stick shit up there if you think you have the clap. I would just go get tested for HIV and Hep because those are the ones to really worry about.

[Hard Head]

MAKE SURE to get your prostate checked. Ask for the exam. It has nothing to do with a qtip, needle or your pecker, I promise.

[GQ-Bouncer]

lol,... ahhhh the Qtip... loving memories

if it makes you feel anybetter, its harder for guys to get HIV sexually transmitted than it is for girls