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Is HIV RNA Test Done Two Months Post Exposure Reliable?
Question: My question is on behalf of my friend. He had a protected sex with a girl from a club whose HIV status was unknown then. However, she showed her reports of ELISA test taken 3 months back and then the recent test of HIV RNA taken a week after the sex she had with my friend, which was also negative. However the concern is the gap between the 2 tests are around 3 months (Elisa taken in March). Can the HIV RNA test detect the virus if the exposure had happened 2 months back, if the girl had sex with any other person who was affected with HIV?
Brief Answer:
The HIV RNA test can detect the virus even in earlier period by 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Welcome to HCM.
First of all, your friend had protected intercourse with the girl and her reports of ELISA and HIV RNA were also negative so he need not to worry at all.
The HIV RNA test can definitely detect the presence of virus after 2 months of exposure or even in earlier period by 2 weeks.
Thank You
The HIV RNA test can detect the virus even in earlier period by 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Welcome to HCM.
First of all, your friend had protected intercourse with the girl and her reports of ELISA and HIV RNA were also negative so he need not to worry at all.
The HIV RNA test can definitely detect the presence of virus after 2 months of exposure or even in earlier period by 2 weeks.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks.. However he is worried that before they got into actual intercourse, they had rubbed their genitals unprotected and she was wet and if there are chances of her vaginal fluid entering his urethra.. Moreover the test was taken for her 6 days after 6 days of the intercourse.. If she had contracted anything within 10 days, will that be detected as well in HIV RNA?
Brief Answer:
The chances of getting HIV infection are very less from rubbing of genitals
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
They had not done penetrative, it was just unprotected rubbing of their genitals and the girl was wet, so the chances of getting HIV infection are very less.
There might be some possibility of infection if her vaginal fluid came in direct contact with penile urethra but it is not the scenario in your friend's case so he need not to worry much.
Lastly, as I have already told HIV RNA can detect the presence of infection in earlier period by 2 weeks or after 10 days also.
Thank You
The chances of getting HIV infection are very less from rubbing of genitals
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
They had not done penetrative, it was just unprotected rubbing of their genitals and the girl was wet, so the chances of getting HIV infection are very less.
There might be some possibility of infection if her vaginal fluid came in direct contact with penile urethra but it is not the scenario in your friend's case so he need not to worry much.
Lastly, as I have already told HIV RNA can detect the presence of infection in earlier period by 2 weeks or after 10 days also.
Thank You
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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