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Does Regular Antibody Test For STD Give Accurate Results At 6 Weeks Post Protected Sex?
Question: Hi.
A few weeks ago I had sexual intercourse with a girl. I do not know her sexual history. We were safe and used condom as well as lubricant. Intercourse was not fast or rough. As far as I can remember, condom did not break or leak. It was put on carefully as well. However, I keep thinking I may be exposed to hiv or other infections. She usually has many sexual partners but told me she is always safe and was tested within last 6 weeks. It has been exactly 3 weeks today. I had a throat infection day before this event and it got worse, it has since resolved as I was given antibiotics. The throat soreness was not entire throat. Just felt like small area close to atoms apple that was sore when I swallow. Since then, it has come and gone 2 or 3 times. It goes away with over the counter meds and also throat soothing candy. It only last maybe 12 hours. Feels like minor cold sometimes but no other symptoms. I was panicking and got RNA test done, also got tested for every other STD. I was told to wait between 9 and 11 days before test is done. I got the test done on the morning of the 10th day. I got results today and it is negative. All other STD also come back negative. My doctor said symptoms I describe are simply common cold and since they respond to basic medicine, not to worry. Now he is completely confident after this test result. My question is, do you suggest I also get regular anti body test after 6 weeks or at 3 month mark? Doctor told me it won't make difference. Will only help my anxiety. I am a little more relaxed right now then before. Also, how accurate is this RNA test considered? Along with the facts of the sexual encounter I described, do you think there was high risk for disease and i should get more follow up tests done? Thank you
A few weeks ago I had sexual intercourse with a girl. I do not know her sexual history. We were safe and used condom as well as lubricant. Intercourse was not fast or rough. As far as I can remember, condom did not break or leak. It was put on carefully as well. However, I keep thinking I may be exposed to hiv or other infections. She usually has many sexual partners but told me she is always safe and was tested within last 6 weeks. It has been exactly 3 weeks today. I had a throat infection day before this event and it got worse, it has since resolved as I was given antibiotics. The throat soreness was not entire throat. Just felt like small area close to atoms apple that was sore when I swallow. Since then, it has come and gone 2 or 3 times. It goes away with over the counter meds and also throat soothing candy. It only last maybe 12 hours. Feels like minor cold sometimes but no other symptoms. I was panicking and got RNA test done, also got tested for every other STD. I was told to wait between 9 and 11 days before test is done. I got the test done on the morning of the 10th day. I got results today and it is negative. All other STD also come back negative. My doctor said symptoms I describe are simply common cold and since they respond to basic medicine, not to worry. Now he is completely confident after this test result. My question is, do you suggest I also get regular anti body test after 6 weeks or at 3 month mark? Doctor told me it won't make difference. Will only help my anxiety. I am a little more relaxed right now then before. Also, how accurate is this RNA test considered? Along with the facts of the sexual encounter I described, do you think there was high risk for disease and i should get more follow up tests done? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Chances of getting HIV/STD are unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You did a wiser thing. That was, had a protected exposure. Almost 10 million HIV Positive idividuals throughout the world are having protected exposures with their spouses without HIV (Discordant couple) and their partners remaine HIV free even after years of their regular sexual contact with condoms.
RNA PCR test for HIV is reliable by 10 days,but becomes more conclusive 3 weeks after the risk activity. Moreover most of these HIV PCR test would rule out only
HIV 1 infection (which is more than 99% prevalent everywhere except certain parts of Africa) and not HIV 2 infection (less than 0.5% possibility). Antibody test 12 weeks after the encounter would be more confirmatory in ruling out both HIV 1 and 2 infection. STD tests also would be reliable only after 4 weeks or more.
But as you had protected exposure, as rightly told by your doctor you would be unlikely to have HIV/STD. Symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV.
Dr S.Murugan
Chances of getting HIV/STD are unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You did a wiser thing. That was, had a protected exposure. Almost 10 million HIV Positive idividuals throughout the world are having protected exposures with their spouses without HIV (Discordant couple) and their partners remaine HIV free even after years of their regular sexual contact with condoms.
RNA PCR test for HIV is reliable by 10 days,but becomes more conclusive 3 weeks after the risk activity. Moreover most of these HIV PCR test would rule out only
HIV 1 infection (which is more than 99% prevalent everywhere except certain parts of Africa) and not HIV 2 infection (less than 0.5% possibility). Antibody test 12 weeks after the encounter would be more confirmatory in ruling out both HIV 1 and 2 infection. STD tests also would be reliable only after 4 weeks or more.
But as you had protected exposure, as rightly told by your doctor you would be unlikely to have HIV/STD. Symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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