Living with HIV & AIDS

I have been looking around here for a few days just reading what everyone wrote. I am 19 and just got a positive ppd (the test for tb). I have been reading around and it seems like it is common in people who suffer from hiv/aids. I have only slept with two people which were both relationships that lasted awhile. I constantly worry and panic. I have been so nervous and scared that I have hiv even though the test could have been positive because I have only been infected it doesn't even have to be active. Well, tonight I dragged my boyfriend with me to Planned Parenthood to get tested. Unfortunately, I have to wait 3 weeks for the results. I am just so scared. He has recently went through surgery and I wonder if they would have tested him then. I don't know. I truly don't know how you guys do it, I am terrified and I do not even know if I have it. How old were you guys when you contracted the disease. I know I am rambling but I just really don't have anyone I can talk to about this. I just don't know what I will do if I have it and these 3 weeks are going to kill me.

Pray for me <3

Prayers and Positive Thoughts with Greetings and Welcome, edcuoco!

Don't put the cart before the horse-try to relax.  Three weeks of constant worry will only make you ill.

You took a sensible approach-rather than wonder you and your boyfriend got tested!  And you realize a positive test would not be the end.

"A positive TB test result does not confirm that the patient has active Tuberculosis (TB Disease). The patient may have a positive TB test reaction if s/he has:

Some people who are infected with both HIV and TB will not react to the TB skin test.

People with latent TB infection

• Have TB bacteria in their body that are alive, but inactive
• Do not feel sick
• Cannot spread TB bacteria to others
• Usually have a positive TB skin test
• Will have a normal chest x-ray
• May become sick if the bacteria become active in their body
• Need treatment for latent TB infection as soon as possible to prevent them from developing active TB disease http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/TB_HIVcoinfection/default.htm

IMHO it is still a bit early for you to worry about a depressed immune system being the cause of a positive TB test. 

Let us know more about you by filling out your profile,
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Update us on how you are doing! Post or vent anytime, we will do our best to support and help you while you wait for your test and results.  Vent long and loud-we do- just be sure your vent doesn't violate TOS- http://www.ivillage.com/about/0,,qr4p,00.html

You don't have to worry that what you say will get back to your friends and co-workers and here you will find people to understand!

Again, Welcome To The HIV/AIDS Message Board <3!

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Many people test positive for TB because they have been exposed to the virus at some point in their life. Many never even had symptoms of Tb. Was there a raised welt within 48 hours of recieving the ppd? Also, the welt must be 10mm or more to be a positive result. Just because you tested positive for tb doesn't necessarily mean you have hiv along with it.

I work in a hospital and we have ppd tests yearly. Some of the nurses I work with have a positive result just because they've been exposed. I wouldn't worry about it, you'll be ok.