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Are These Negative HIV Test Results Post 1 Year Of Possible Sexual Exposure Conclusive?
Question: Scenario:
1. I had sex with a lady three times. First one is in year 2012 August and then last one is in 2014, September. I am not aware of the HIV status of the lady but she is known to me for years and still known to me.
2. The intercourse were Vaginal and without condom in all the three occasions.
3. In Feb 2015, I had HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibody test as a part of my regular health checkup in Apollo Hospital. (This is first time I am opting for health checkup, prior to this no detail health checkup or HIV Tests).
4. Test results are Negative.
My questions are,
How much I can trust the results?
As the first incident happened long back, is there any chance that antibody test may not detect the infection?
Is Antibody test is a one of the reliable tests, considering the above two cases where first incident was 2 years ago and latest was 5 Months ago from the date of Test?
1. I had sex with a lady three times. First one is in year 2012 August and then last one is in 2014, September. I am not aware of the HIV status of the lady but she is known to me for years and still known to me.
2. The intercourse were Vaginal and without condom in all the three occasions.
3. In Feb 2015, I had HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibody test as a part of my regular health checkup in Apollo Hospital. (This is first time I am opting for health checkup, prior to this no detail health checkup or HIV Tests).
4. Test results are Negative.
My questions are,
How much I can trust the results?
As the first incident happened long back, is there any chance that antibody test may not detect the infection?
Is Antibody test is a one of the reliable tests, considering the above two cases where first incident was 2 years ago and latest was 5 Months ago from the date of Test?
Brief Answer:
Your results are totally fine, so just relax
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for HIV and its testing by antibody method.
Let me first reassure you that your results are totally fine, so just relax.
To simplify the things and give you medical and scientific facts :
In an unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person the HIV viruses gets entered into the body and divides in innumerous numbers(millions of viruses per ml).
After a period of 2-6 week there is mounting of antibodies against the viruses. These antibodies can take at the maximum of 8-10 weeks of the period to get expressed.
Therefore the infection can be analyzed by two ways -
-A): By HIV virus detection: done by RNA- PCR. It tells us the number of copies of virus present in per ml of blood. By the latest of methods the viruses can be detected within 3 weeks of period.
B): By HIV antibody Detection: AS told earlier once the antibodies appear maximum of 8-10 weeks then these antibodies to HIV virus persist throughout life. The protocol of the antibody tests done for HIV is as follows: One HIV antibody test at 6-8 weeks and then a follow up final test at 3 months (84 days or 12 weeks).
Antibodies once formed to HIV can never disappear. So if a person has HIV infection, 3 months of period is the time when we say to be fully sure of whether HIV is present or not.
Now correlating all the facts and interpreting with your situation: Your last intercourse was in 2014, September. From that period to testing, there was a gap of around 5 months which is sufficient to detect the antibodies.
Antibody testing is one of the most reliable after 3 months of period. SO just relax and do not worry. Use protection for safer sex.
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases)
Your results are totally fine, so just relax
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for HIV and its testing by antibody method.
Let me first reassure you that your results are totally fine, so just relax.
To simplify the things and give you medical and scientific facts :
In an unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person the HIV viruses gets entered into the body and divides in innumerous numbers(millions of viruses per ml).
After a period of 2-6 week there is mounting of antibodies against the viruses. These antibodies can take at the maximum of 8-10 weeks of the period to get expressed.
Therefore the infection can be analyzed by two ways -
-A): By HIV virus detection: done by RNA- PCR. It tells us the number of copies of virus present in per ml of blood. By the latest of methods the viruses can be detected within 3 weeks of period.
B): By HIV antibody Detection: AS told earlier once the antibodies appear maximum of 8-10 weeks then these antibodies to HIV virus persist throughout life. The protocol of the antibody tests done for HIV is as follows: One HIV antibody test at 6-8 weeks and then a follow up final test at 3 months (84 days or 12 weeks).
Antibodies once formed to HIV can never disappear. So if a person has HIV infection, 3 months of period is the time when we say to be fully sure of whether HIV is present or not.
Now correlating all the facts and interpreting with your situation: Your last intercourse was in 2014, September. From that period to testing, there was a gap of around 5 months which is sufficient to detect the antibodies.
Antibody testing is one of the most reliable after 3 months of period. SO just relax and do not worry. Use protection for safer sex.
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Thank you very much for your answer. I am asking again few things, which may appear funny for you but I need to know these to come out of the stress I am having.
1. In the internet. some people says, some antibody test sometimes may have false results. how far it is true? As I am not aware about the type of Test the Apollo guys use.
2. Do you suggest me any further test to re-confirm? Or I don't need it? If yes, which test to follow.
3. Can saliva be a medium of transmit if kisses deeply (putting tongue inside)?
4. Even though I am talking about re-confirmatory test, but I am scared to take one. Please help.
5. Considering the first incident in 2012 as a possible exposure, can antibody test give me a confirmatory result.
I shall appreciate, if you provide me point wise reply. Thanks in advance.
Regards
Thank you very much for your answer. I am asking again few things, which may appear funny for you but I need to know these to come out of the stress I am having.
1. In the internet. some people says, some antibody test sometimes may have false results. how far it is true? As I am not aware about the type of Test the Apollo guys use.
2. Do you suggest me any further test to re-confirm? Or I don't need it? If yes, which test to follow.
3. Can saliva be a medium of transmit if kisses deeply (putting tongue inside)?
4. Even though I am talking about re-confirmatory test, but I am scared to take one. Please help.
5. Considering the first incident in 2012 as a possible exposure, can antibody test give me a confirmatory result.
I shall appreciate, if you provide me point wise reply. Thanks in advance.
Regards
Brief Answer:
Saliva is never a source of HIV infection even in deep kissing.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your prompt follow up.
Regarding your further queries:
1. Internet is flooded with so many information. In my experience 3 months is enough of time for the antibody formation. I have not found any false results in the same.
2. I do not recommend any further testing.
3. Saliva is never a source of HIV infection even in deep kissing.
4. You don't need any further testing.
5. Antibody tests are totally confirmatory after 3 months.
Hope it clears all your doubts.
With regards,
Saliva is never a source of HIV infection even in deep kissing.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your prompt follow up.
Regarding your further queries:
1. Internet is flooded with so many information. In my experience 3 months is enough of time for the antibody formation. I have not found any false results in the same.
2. I do not recommend any further testing.
3. Saliva is never a source of HIV infection even in deep kissing.
4. You don't need any further testing.
5. Antibody tests are totally confirmatory after 3 months.
Hope it clears all your doubts.
With regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
I am getting confidence from your answers. Thanks. A last but stupid question.
As my test was a regular health check up, not a hiv specific test; can i be sure that the hiv tests were carried out seriously or casually? Please comment.
However, the test reports says it was carried out in the Blood Bank division. This gives me some confidence on the reports. Still your opinion is valued for me.
I am getting confidence from your answers. Thanks. A last but stupid question.
As my test was a regular health check up, not a hiv specific test; can i be sure that the hiv tests were carried out seriously or casually? Please comment.
However, the test reports says it was carried out in the Blood Bank division. This gives me some confidence on the reports. Still your opinion is valued for me.
Brief Answer:
You can very well rely on the tests done even as a routine case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
It is very much important to know that all tests in medical field are done with great care. For HIV especially a great extra care is taken in addition. So you can very well rely on the tests done even as a routine case.
My all good wishes for your healthy life.
With regards,
You can very well rely on the tests done even as a routine case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
It is very much important to know that all tests in medical field are done with great care. For HIV especially a great extra care is taken in addition. So you can very well rely on the tests done even as a routine case.
My all good wishes for your healthy life.
With regards,
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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