Hi Doctor...l Had Protected Sex With Someone Who's Std Status

Posted on Sun, 11 Aug 2019

Question: Hi Doctor...l had protected sex with someone who's std status was unknown to me. As far as I recall the condom was intact and there was no other exposure. this happened in November last year... after that I was a bit nervous of contracting any STD, so I visited a doctor who put me on PEP. l took the full 1 months course. After 40 days of exposure, I got STD panel, and no disease was found...for HIV l had RNA PCR, elisa and p24 combo test.. To be sure of HIV l repeated p24 combo and elisa at 4 months post exposure or 3 months post PEP...the antibody screening test and p24 Both came negative or non reactive....do l need any further tests am l free of HIV..,is this conclusive?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV Infection and STD

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor'
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all, you had protected exposure and verified your condom was intact.
So there is almost no possibility of HIV /STD transmission.
You had completed PEP successfully. So there is no chance of HIV infection. Moreover you had your HIV Combo test and PCR tests were Non-reactive even after the window period.
So you are free from HIV Infection and Syphilis. No further tests are required. Relax and enjoy your days ahead.
Dr S Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (20 hours later)

Thanks doctor...l am looking to get married in the next couple of months... can l move on with it, I don't want to be putting someone else at risk if there is any doubt on my HIV status....l have read somewhere that 6 months is the benchmark somewhere 3 months for HIV testing... what is the rule here?... Also, which test done at each of these times can rule out HIV?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Normally the HIV window period is 3 months only. If the individual is on Immnosuppressive drugs then the window period can extend up to 6 months. As you had completed PEP and your sex is protected you are safe and can have sex.
But as per PEP guidelines the follow up needs 6 months. After a nonreactive final test at 6 months one can declared free from HIV. So have a test after 6 months after the exposure before Getting married.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Thanks doctor... so can I say that for practical purposes l don't have HIV and that the test at 6 months is just a confirmation of the 3 month status, i.e free from HIV?... also what are the chances of seroconversion happening later, if HIV is undetected in the tests.... should I get PCR test done or is Elisa antibody p24 antigen duo combo test enough?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You are absolutely correct. You are already free from HIV infection. The HIV test after 6 months is just an extra confirmation.
HIV 4th generation Combo test is reliable to the extent of more than 99% after 12 weeks. It was nonreactive for you after 3 months. You need no further HIV PCR test for you.
Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T