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Had Protected Sex With Prostitute. HIV Test Negative. Should I Repeat After 3 Months?
Hi
Thanks for asking.
HIV tests can take a long time to be positive in case a person has contracted the infection.
There are two type of tests which are done for HIV, ELISA and HIV DNA testing by the polymerase chain reaction .
Elisa can be negative up to 3 months from the exposure ,that is the reason Elisa needs to be repeated in 3 months time to be absolutely sure about the infection.
The HIV DNA is usually positive after 21 days and a negative test has a specificity of around 95% of not having the infection.
In your case, it will depend upon which test you have done as it is already more than 6 weeks, if it is Elisa it needs to be repeated and in case it was HIV DNA , it virtually rules out the need to redo the test in 4-6 weeks.
Thanks.
Please let me know if you need further information
Thanks for asking.
HIV tests can take a long time to be positive in case a person has contracted the infection.
There are two type of tests which are done for HIV, ELISA and HIV DNA testing by the polymerase chain reaction .
Elisa can be negative up to 3 months from the exposure ,that is the reason Elisa needs to be repeated in 3 months time to be absolutely sure about the infection.
The HIV DNA is usually positive after 21 days and a negative test has a specificity of around 95% of not having the infection.
In your case, it will depend upon which test you have done as it is already more than 6 weeks, if it is Elisa it needs to be repeated and in case it was HIV DNA , it virtually rules out the need to redo the test in 4-6 weeks.
Thanks.
Please let me know if you need further information
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
But Doc,
I had a protected sex and is it necessary to go again for test. because last time on the samewebsite a doctor told me to check one time after 4 weeks.
Even AFA told chances are negligible.
I had a protected sex and is it necessary to go again for test. because last time on the samewebsite a doctor told me to check one time after 4 weeks.
Even AFA told chances are negligible.
Hi
Checking one time after 4 weeks if done by HIV DNA PCR is fine.
if it was ELISA test , then it has to be repeated after 3 months.
It is up to you if you want to be 100 % sure or nearly 100% sure.
Checking one time after 4 weeks if done by HIV DNA PCR is fine.
if it was ELISA test , then it has to be repeated after 3 months.
It is up to you if you want to be 100 % sure or nearly 100% sure.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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