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Are Negative Western Blot And ELISA Tests For HIV After 45 Days Of Exposure Conclusive?

Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2015

Question: I got my western blot test for hiv at 45 days, it was negative....should I relax now or get another test.. I also got elisa at 30 days which was negative too...How can I finish my anxiety and what is the accuracy of these tests?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Test after 3 months will be conclusive.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic.
I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety.

It is good that both western blot and Elisa are negative.They are accurate tests.
Usually Antibodies are formed after 2-6 weeks of exposure, rarely up to 3 months.Both the tests detect antibodies to HIV.Elisa after 3 months will be conclusive.
You can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR at this stage to relieve your anxiety.
It is not clear about your age,type of risk exposure, partner history.
You can get back for any clarification with details.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venerologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (5 hours later)

I am 29 years old and I had sex with a professional massage girl in dubai... I used protection but the protection (condom) failed.. there was a exposure for about half a minute... there after at 30 days I got an elisa and at 45 days a western blot.. both were negative.... I have real high levels of anxiety and stress and I sometimes get night sweats around my forehead and neck... on the 48 th day I got a cold... I need to check whether am I fine or are all these symptoms stress anxiety night sweats cold symptoms of hiv or stress...I hope I don't need to worry and retest?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms may be due to anxiety or stress.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
The chances of HIV transmission by unprotected intercourse is 1/200 to 1/ 1000.Though protected it can be considered as unprotected.
The person may be negative too, if so no chance of transmission.

The tests are not conclusive by 45 days.The chances of antibodies test giving positive results after 3 months is remote.
It is better to go for antibodies test like Elisa after 3 months .
Else you can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR now to relieve your anxiety.
The symptoms are not specific to HIV. It can be due to anxiety or stress.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (21 minutes later)

Sir thank you for your answer.... what I really need to know is on a scale of 1 to 100 what are the chances of my result being positive after my negative tests at 45 days...this is what is creating havoc for me day and night....Plz be conclusive with the answer? thank you

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
0-5 in the scale mentioned.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
I would rate 0-5 in the scale mentioned to be positive after 3 months.
You can almost allay fears of HIV.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (8 minutes later)

when u say 0-5 does that mean a chance from 0% to 5% out of 100 % it shall become positive. so basically out of a 100 % chance, I have only a XXXXXXX of 5 % chance of it becoming positive...right? thank you again..

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Less than 5%.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Yes the chances are less than 5%.
You can get back for any clarification else please close the discussion and rate.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar