Hi, I've A Concern Regarding My Last Year's Risky Unprotected Sex I've Tested Negative For HIV At The Intervals Of 3 Months And 6 Months From The Day Of Exposure With The Completion Of One Year Of This Event, All My Worries Are Coming Back. Should I Be Testing Again?

Posted on Thu, 9 Feb 2023

Question: Hi, I've a concern regarding my last year's risky unprotected vaginal exposure (condom broke) with a female csw. I've tested negative for HIV at the intervals of 3 months and 6 months from the day of exposure, using 4th generation Hiv Duo test. However, with the completion of one year of this event, all my worries are coming back. Should I be testing again at the 1 year mark to conclude that I'm not at risk OR my previous tests are enough to prove that? The "late seroconversion" term really scares me.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your previous test results are conclusive enough.

Detailed Answer:
Dear,

You had risky unprotected encounter before 1 year and the test result for 4th Generation HIV Duos test was negative at an interval of 3 months and 6 months after the exposure then these results are 100% accurate as well as conclusive enough to say that you are absolutely safe and risk free from HIV so as such no further testing is required.

If still you are anxious enough then go for 4th generation HIV Duos test again for your mental satisfaction and the result will surely come negative so just calm down, forget the episode and live your life normally. For any further help feel free to ask me and I am here to help you out always.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (47 hours later)

Hello Doctor, Thank you for the answer. I need your final advice, as I'm trying my best to put this behind me. I'll be going for the test tomorrow and will get the result in few days. Can you please tell me about the guidelines again for hiv window period with 4th generation test. I was very confident after I received my 6 months negative and had moved on. But may be it is the memories of the previous year which have brought back the fear again. Sorry for bothering you again with this question.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The result is definitely conclusive.

Detailed Answer:
Dear,

The window period for HIV varies from 15days to 3 months after the exposure so you need not worry at all as you are 100% safe and risk-free and there is no possibility of late seroconversion so just calm down, go for the test and the result will definitely come negative.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (23 hours later)

Hello Doctor! I tested today and my result is Negative. I'm happy I did the test. Just one stupid thing happened from my side. I didn't check whether the nurse was using a new needle to take my test. I jist faintly recall her holding the syringe. I know that according to protocol they are supposed to use a new needle every time. I got it done from a reputed lab - metropolis. I just hope that this should not be a problem.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Absolutely not.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Welcome back once again.

Metropolis is very reputed laboratory and they are supposed to use new needle every time so don't get afraid about the quality of test performed. Calm down, forget the episode and live your life normally. If still any query is there feel free to ask me and I am here to help you always.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (19 hours later)

Thank you Doctor. I just felt worried again yesterday. So today I went to the lab and met the nurse who did my blood collection. She explained me the whole process and told me that a new needle is used each time, the used one is discarded immediately. She also remembered me walking in. One more thing she said is she remembered my face as I had gone there 6 and 9 months back. So she didn't feel it necessary to show me complete preparation (opening the seal and inserting the back portion of the needle in the cylinder). Which means I was right on my part to not have seen her open the seal of the new needle. She however assured me that a new needle was used. I will try my best to get over this. I know that I'm thinking too much. I guess it just has to do with the expectation that I had. I expected this day to end my baggage of worries which I have been carrying with me since last one year. Wanted to end it on a good note and move on. I had no idea that something like this would bring in more worry than before. It will take me a while to get over this fear. Please share your final thoughts doctor, before I close this discussion. I need some motivation to get back to my normal self.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are 100% safe and risk free from HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

You are thinking excessively nothing else because your test result is 100% conclusive and there is absolutely no chance of HIV infection in your case so just calm down, forget about the episode and live your life normally. You are definitely safe and risk free from HIV so be relaxed and move on. For any further help in future feel free to ask me any time.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (2 hours later)

Should I take PeP, considering the worst case that she reused the old syringe and needle of previous vistor by mistake?

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need of PEP Medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

There is no need of taking PEP medicines unnecessarily as the exposure you had mentioned is not risky. If still you are anxious then consider counseling services with the help of any psychiatrist for mental piece and relaxation. For any further query related to HIV feel free to ask me again.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (2 days later)

Hello Doctor! I'm trying my best to forget this situation and starting to think positively. I also took help from a therapist. Just want you to answer few questions before I close this discussion.
1. Is it necessary for a patient to check whether the needle was completely sealed before use, especially in a reputed lab?
2. Knowing my situation, do you think I should test after 3 months?
3. Can I have unprotected sex with my wife without having the fear of infecting her in anyway?
4. Have you ever come across any case where a person got infected due to accidental reuse of needle?
Sorry for the long list of questions. I just need some reassurance before I move on from this.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to test after 3 months.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Welcome back and thanks for follow-up.

You need not to worry about the reuse of needle as reputed lab will not do it and there is no need of testing after 3 months because you are absolutely safe. You can definitely resume unprotected sex with your without any fear of HIV because such kind of incidences are very uncommon. Calm down, forget the episode and live your life normally.

Thank You

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad