Is 3rd Generation Antibody Test Done After 18 Weeks Conclusive?

Posted on Tue, 27 Jan 2015

Question: After an incident of 100% condom protected vaginal sex and deep kissing I had 3rd generation antibody test after 18 weeks of exposure. Result was negative.
Can I rely on the result 100%?

Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing is 100% in medical sciences

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question.I am Dr Matin and will be answering your queries.
3rd Generation tests test for HIV antibodies only.They have the sensitivity
(power of picking of positive cases among HIV +population) of more than 98% but not 100%.
Protected sex -vaginal/anal /oral keeps HIV away and deep kissing may be a risk factor only if some body had ulcers in mouth .
I understand , you did not had 'mouth ulcers / bleeding in side your mouth when you had indulged in kissing and having indulged in protected (with condom and without being slipped /torn) sex makes the transmission of HIV-- very unlikely in your scenario and your negative report @ > 90 days (18 weeks) post exposure proves it too.
Hope this helps

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (1 hour later)

Is it a final test for me? Or I need further antibody tests?

Also please let me know. Is it require to have bleeding both the partners' mouth to transfer HIV or one's mouth bleeding is enough to pass HIV. How common is HIV through french kiss?

Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , both of you should have sore/bleeding

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Let us understand the dynamics of HIV. First of all there has to be an HIV positive person in the near your vicinity , then the virus from him/her ,it has to enter in your blood stream. Here it is not certain whether the women you had french kissed was HIV + or not . Naturally the virus has to come out and enter your body.

HIV is present in all body fluids of the body but highest quantity is found in blood , seminal fluid, vaginal fluid and human milk.The other body fluids do contain few virus but can only be infective if they are tinged with blood.

You will likely not need any further testing.

That is to say 'only saliva' is not sufficient to cause HIV it can only cause infection when it is tinged with blood and it can be transmitted only when the lady concerned had sores from where it would reach to you in case you too had some gum bleeding/sores.

But since many times even you don't know, you could be carrying some ulcers or breach in the continuity of the mucous membrane of your mouth and so it is always advisable to avoid 'deep kissing' as you never know who is HIV+ and HIV has got no specific signs and symptoms which can be point to HIV in that person (unlike leprosy where you can see the disease by even symptoms )

Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (4 hours later)

Thanks for detail clarification. Just the last question I had unprotected sec with csw 11 months back. After 8 months I did my last antibody test. Is it final? Did you see anybody seroconverted after 6 months or even after 4 months?

Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is final you are HIV negative

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Yes, the period you mentioned, is far beyond the specified 'window period' of HIV and so there is no HIV. Rest assured about it.

Be safe and happy
Wishing you a very happy 2015

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju