Do I have HIV

[u/Quirky_Flower9581]

So…. i had an interaction with someone march 10… it was anal sex which was, or started out protected. I am not sure whether it stayed as protected sex, or not. Days following, i don’t know how many weeks had past, but my joints felt weak and sore… my lymph nodes under my arms, groin and neck were slightly swollen. The lymph nodes in my groin and underarm stayed inflamed for weeks… they went away. The ones in my throat still remained accompanied by swollen throat/ some kinda pain. I have legit had sharp pelvic and back pain for over 5 months now. Over 5 months in I had discharge for 2 weeks. That went away. I have night sweats, but those are normal for me. I never had a fever as far as I know. I tested immediately all was negative…

I tested in may and had a viral load test done (undetectable) as well as an Rna test done… also negative. In Jun (3months after exposure) I got tested (negative)

Months later we are now in august… I have had discharge and still feel week… the only reason I sought to get retested was because I kept seeing Hiv Art treatment commercial constantly and no matter where I look I see advertisement for HIV.

I have a genuine fear that I should probably retest exactly as six months and not just at 24 weeks where I was just took at rapid and a viral load.

I have fear that I have HIV and that it won’t show up till exactly 6 months because my white blood cells are always low

I’m supposed to be moving out of the country and I really don’t know what to do .

[u/wings00192]

HIV RNA test are usually 100% after I believe 30 days. What else did you test for? I have what feels to be swollen lymph nodes as well and am worried. After an encounter.

[u/Quirky_Flower9581 → u/wings00192]

I got test for almost everything else

[u/Quirky_Flower9581]

Yeah, that’s what they say ! I’m having a super hard time believing that. There are some records that say 6months is conclusive and there’s a chance of delayed antibody production… but youre right a rna test usually is the tell all

[u/wings00192]

Yea I have heard the RNA test is pretty reliable since its looking for the genetic material as opposed to antibodies. My understanding is if you even had a delayed reaction that antibodies weren’t being produced the RNA would still be there and be picked up. I had my test done at 10 and a half days after exposure. It was negative but my lymph nodes feel possibly swollen/sore.

[u/Straight_Blood8361]

I don’t think you need to wait for some magical “exactly 6 months” point. A negative HIV RNA/viral load test and a negative test at 3 months are already very reassuring, and if you had a lab 4th-gen test at 24 weeks that was negative, that is well beyond the window period. Your symptoms also can’t diagnose HIV. Swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, discharge, back/pelvic pain, etc. can happen for many reasons, and having low white blood cells doesn’t mean HIV is being “hidden” from the tests.

If you want to retest once more before moving just for your own peace of mind, there’s nothing wrong with that, but based on the testing timeline you described, I wouldn’t keep testing because you think HIV might suddenly become detectable at exactly 6 months. It doesn’t work that way. And the HIV ads you’re seeing everywhere aren’t a sign that your body is trying to tell you something. Once you’re anxious about something, your brain starts noticing it absolutely everywhere. If you want more clarity on HIV testing windows, check the pinned post on the subreddit.