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Is HIV Test Done After Three Months Conclusive?

Posted on Thu, 8 Jun 2017

Question: Doctor im a male from mexico here is my situation My last sexual exposure was 4 months ago, so 6 days ago I went donw to the HIV clinic and perform a rapid blood test (prick my finger) it was negative, so I was able to buy 2 more rapid blood test ( same brand from the clinic) and I prick my finger both negatives, So then I thougth I should probably get 2 more but from a diferent brand and they were also negative, So I have 5 negatives 3 from one brand and 2 from another all 4 moths after my last exposure, I saw one of your replies to a costumer that said "Most of the test available are more than 98% sensitive and specific. For more confirmatory, two types of antibody tests with diferent type like ELISA and a rapid or two diferent types of rapid tests are said to be confirmatory" Doctor do you believe im hiv negative ? can I rely on my results from this types of test ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You are absolutely free from HIV.
All girls are not HIV positive.
Nonreactive HIV tests done 3 months after the exposure ruled out the possibility of HIV.
As you pointed out by you all the tests available in the market are highly reliable up to the extent of more than 97%. As per WHO guidelines, two nonreactive tests with two different tests makes the sensitivity up to the extent of 100%.
So I can confidently assure you that you are totally free from HIV infection.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (40 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply Doctor, Im so glad to hear that acording to WHO standards "two non reactive test with two diferent test makes a negative result" Doctor is this a stated stament by WHO guidlines ? Bacause it would make me very happy. Doctor have you use or are familiar with this types of test on your everyday practise? would you feel comfortable, dismising a patient as NEGATIVE for hiv with my results ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are almost free from HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I am providing care to HIV positive patients since 1989 on wards. I am quite comfortable with reliability of the rapid tests and ELISA and the 4th generation test.
HIV Testing Strategies AS RECOMMENDED BY NATIONAL AIDS control organization in XXXXXXX which is following WHO guidelines:
Serial Testing Strategy:
Serial testing strategy usually is configured as two or three test algorithms and refer to the use of one screening test followed by one or more other ELISA / Rapid (E/R) tests, depending on the results of the first. A non-reactive result from the initial screening test completes the testing, i.e., report is given out as HIV negative. If the initial test is reactive, it is followed by a single test
(in a two test algorithm), or two more tests (in a three test algorithm) for resolution.
(http://www.naco.gov.in/sites/default/files/National_Guidelines_for_HIV_Testing_21Apr2016.pdf)
Not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

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

Doctor in your frist brief answer you wrote " You are FREE from hiv infection" and in your second brief answer you wrote "You are ALMOST free from hiv infection" now im freaking out ! why dis you change your opinion ? In regrads to your answer if I understood correctly is : Two diferent test in a NEGATIVE result are conclusive, is this correct ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection.No further test is necessary

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
The answer in the box was selected wrongly (pre-typed answers to somebody else question).
You are free from HIV beyond any doubt.
Forget the incident and relax.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (24 hours later)

WOW Doctor since 1989,you have been dealing with HIV for a long time, Doctor when do the rapid hiv test starting beeing use ? I guess they have evolved a lot to improve their sensibility, its amazing how such a small test kit can contain such inmportant information for an individual ! Doctor would you dismiss a patient of yours with my same results as NEGATIVE and be confident in your decision? and Finally Doctor if decided to take an Elisa test, Do you believe my results would change ? Have you have patients that had negative rapid test and the Elisa was still the same ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection beyond any doubt.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV ELISA was introduced early from 1987 on wards. Rapid tests were available since 1998 on wards I think.
I definitely leave the individual if his HIV test showed a negative result 12 weeks after the high risk activity without further test. That too, especially when his two different tests were non reactive, I would assure him with more confident.
That means, I don't expect your HIV result would change in future unless you have a fresh exposure.
I had seen patient's result came reactive with ELISA after a negative result with Rapid test, but with very few (remote chance), but never with multiple rapid tests (that too with different kits) non reactive individuals.
So be confident that you are free from HIV infection and relax.
Dr S.Murugan

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