Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can HIV Be Contracted Through Unprotected Intercourse?
Question: Had unprotected sex with a female of unknown health status. 33 days after I had a full panel of STD testing along with a 3rd generation HIV test and this came out negative. At 7 weeks (49 days) I had an HIV combo 4th generation test and an HIV RNA QL TMA test. The HIV RNA test is considered conclusive at 28 days and 99% accurate and the HIV combo test is 97% to 99% accurate and conclusive at 12 weeks and both came back negative at 7 weeks (49 days). I tested again at 81 days (11 weeks and 4 days after exposure) by a 3rd generation HIV test and that came back negative. I had an HIV 4th generation combo test at exactly 12 weeks (84 days after exposure) and I was told it is 99% accurate an conclusive. I am scared I have no immune issues and not on any drug that I would think would slow it down. I only take a thyroid medicine.
I am scared and I don't want to pass anything to my wife.
Am I safe from any issues?
I live in the USA and the I called the CDC and they said for antibodies it takes 6 months and test again. Would this also apply to me? I have more extensive test than just antibodies and most places like the UK and Canada say 3 months is considered conclusive for all HIV testing. Even the world health organization says 3 months. Please help.
I am scared and I don't want to pass anything to my wife.
Am I safe from any issues?
I live in the USA and the I called the CDC and they said for antibodies it takes 6 months and test again. Would this also apply to me? I have more extensive test than just antibodies and most places like the UK and Canada say 3 months is considered conclusive for all HIV testing. Even the world health organization says 3 months. Please help.
Brief Answer:
Yes you are definitely safe from all issues at present so need not to scare
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
First of all, as you have mentioned in your history that all the tests what you had gone through at different interval like at 33 days, 49 days, 81 days and 84 days are negative then I can say you are absolutely safe at present from all the issues and you need not to be scared further.
Second, HIV antibodies would appear in the blood by 6-8 weeks or it may be delayed up to 3 months so if your 12 weeks HIV combo test result is negative than it is 95 to 98% confirmatory. Another thing is you had done HIV RNA test which is more accurate than antibody test and is conclusive in earlier period by 3-4 weeks and it was also negative. So no need to worry at all and be relaxed.
You can go for repeat testing at 6 months as CDC people had told to be 100% sure and to clear any doubt from your mind.
ne very important advice I want to give you as my friend is stay away from such kind of unwanted incidences and be faithful to your wife who is very precious for you.
If still any query you can contact me anytime. Thank you and take care
Yes you are definitely safe from all issues at present so need not to scare
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
First of all, as you have mentioned in your history that all the tests what you had gone through at different interval like at 33 days, 49 days, 81 days and 84 days are negative then I can say you are absolutely safe at present from all the issues and you need not to be scared further.
Second, HIV antibodies would appear in the blood by 6-8 weeks or it may be delayed up to 3 months so if your 12 weeks HIV combo test result is negative than it is 95 to 98% confirmatory. Another thing is you had done HIV RNA test which is more accurate than antibody test and is conclusive in earlier period by 3-4 weeks and it was also negative. So no need to worry at all and be relaxed.
You can go for repeat testing at 6 months as CDC people had told to be 100% sure and to clear any doubt from your mind.
ne very important advice I want to give you as my friend is stay away from such kind of unwanted incidences and be faithful to your wife who is very precious for you.
If still any query you can contact me anytime. Thank you and take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi doctor. I thought that there are only 4 thing that would delay the testing. (1) antiviral treatment for hepatitis C, (2) chemotherapy, (3) PEP treatment for HIV, (4) and other immunodeficiency diseases (diagnosed at birth) I have neither of these things.
CDC only gave me information on the antibodies test, but I have called other HIV organizations that say it's only 3 months and RNA test window is sooner. I have had unprotectedsex with my wife 2 days after my last negative test which was the combo test at 84 days. Is she at risk?? Please help
CDC only gave me information on the antibodies test, but I have called other HIV organizations that say it's only 3 months and RNA test window is sooner. I have had unprotectedsex with my wife 2 days after my last negative test which was the combo test at 84 days. Is she at risk?? Please help
Brief Answer:
No your wife is not at risk and it's 3 months to be conclusive is also true
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX first of all again I will say no need to panic so much. You had sexual intercourse with your wife 12 weeks after the previous incidence so she is completely safe and not at risk. What other organisations had told you apart from CDC that it is 3 months for antibody test to be conclusive is also 99% true and you had negative antibody test at 12 weeks. Apart from this you had negative HIV RNA test at 7 weeks which is even more accurate and conclusive than antibody test even in earlier period of infection by 3-4 weeks. So be calm and relaxed, also don't worry you wife too. If still any doubt in your mind you can ask me. Thank you very much and take care.
No your wife is not at risk and it's 3 months to be conclusive is also true
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX first of all again I will say no need to panic so much. You had sexual intercourse with your wife 12 weeks after the previous incidence so she is completely safe and not at risk. What other organisations had told you apart from CDC that it is 3 months for antibody test to be conclusive is also 99% true and you had negative antibody test at 12 weeks. Apart from this you had negative HIV RNA test at 7 weeks which is even more accurate and conclusive than antibody test even in earlier period of infection by 3-4 weeks. So be calm and relaxed, also don't worry you wife too. If still any doubt in your mind you can ask me. Thank you very much and take care.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
