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How Accurate Is HIV PCR RNA Taken On The 9th Day And HIV 4th Gen Duo Test On 29th Day?
Question: How accurate is HIV PCR RNA taken on the 9th day (8 days 12 hours to be approx) and HIV 4th gen duo test on 29th day. I had protected sex with a female, no oral sex or kissing was involved. Both tests came out negative. But I am super stressed and mentally weak reading about all the informationonline asking for a re-test after 3 months and also I have different thoughts that keeps bothering me and various scenarios run by my mind, since I was in a state of anxiety during the encounter and even though I had used protection, I think about situations what if the protection ruptured or broke and I didnt notice, if I had contact with her fluid while removing protection, cleaning my gentials, using the same hand to drink water afterwards which might have still some female fluid on it while cleaning/removing etc and countless such possibilities and hence I did these 2 tests, would all these additional possibilities I am thinking about be good enough to ignore after being negative on these 2 tests ?
Brief Answer:
HIV transmission is unlikely. HIV 1 infection had been ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
First of all, that girl is unlikely to be HIV positive. Then there is no question of HIV transmission.
Moreover, you had protected sex. Even with discordant couples (one partner has HIV whereas another remain uninfected with HIV), we advise to use condoms to have sex as they cannot abstain from sex when they regained their health back. In spite of regular protected sex for years, the other partner remained non reactive for HIV.
Nothing to worry at all, in your case. Regarding the tests, even though HIV PCR tests can detect the presence of HIV, if any, as early as 7 days, but they can be considered conclusive by 3-4 weeks after the exposure.
Regarding negative result of the 4th generation HIV DUO test on 29th day ruled out the possibility of HIV 1. HIV 1 is the commonest HIV infection throughout the world except in few African countries to the extent of more than 95%.
If you want to rule out HIV 2 also then you have to wait till 12 weeks and repeat the 4th generation test or any other rapid HIV test once again. As you had protected sex, it is unnecessary. If the condom had been broken it would be obvious it could not hold the semen during withdrawal and it is quite unlikely to get infection while removing and with contaminated hands or fingers.
Not to worry.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
HIV AIDS Specialist
HIV transmission is unlikely. HIV 1 infection had been ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
First of all, that girl is unlikely to be HIV positive. Then there is no question of HIV transmission.
Moreover, you had protected sex. Even with discordant couples (one partner has HIV whereas another remain uninfected with HIV), we advise to use condoms to have sex as they cannot abstain from sex when they regained their health back. In spite of regular protected sex for years, the other partner remained non reactive for HIV.
Nothing to worry at all, in your case. Regarding the tests, even though HIV PCR tests can detect the presence of HIV, if any, as early as 7 days, but they can be considered conclusive by 3-4 weeks after the exposure.
Regarding negative result of the 4th generation HIV DUO test on 29th day ruled out the possibility of HIV 1. HIV 1 is the commonest HIV infection throughout the world except in few African countries to the extent of more than 95%.
If you want to rule out HIV 2 also then you have to wait till 12 weeks and repeat the 4th generation test or any other rapid HIV test once again. As you had protected sex, it is unnecessary. If the condom had been broken it would be obvious it could not hold the semen during withdrawal and it is quite unlikely to get infection while removing and with contaminated hands or fingers.
Not to worry.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
HIV AIDS Specialist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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