Is An HIV PCR Test Result Conclusive After 2 Months Of Exposure?

Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015

Question: good morning doctor I have done protected sex on may 15 2015 but I m not sure about condom broke or not it doesn't fit me tight after 2 month I have done hiv test at vadil al go hospital and it was non reactive after 2 month and 8 day I have done pcr quantitative test and it was also non reactive what are the chance for me to get hiv plz suggest about more test

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your chance of HIV infection is low but please get tested as below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. If you were wearing a condom then there is low risk of HIV transmission. However because you are not certain about condom break therefore it is good that you got HIV tests done.

2. The chance of you getting HIV is 1 in 4000 for unprotected sex to 1 in 10000 for sex using condom that did not break.

3. There are many types of HIV tests. If your test was for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies then it is to be done at 3 months and 6 months for confirmation.

4. If your test was for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen then it is confirmatory for HIV 1 at one month.

5. The PCR test is negative and is not important for you.

6. In XXXXXXX it is also good to repeat HIV 1 and 2 antibodies test after 6 months for peace of mind because 2 percent of infections are because of HIV 2 virus.

7. Please upload a copy of your HIV 1 and 2 antibodies test so that I can know if you have been tested for p24 antigen also. If it has been done then there is no fear of HIV 1 but small risk of HIV 2 is there and that might be ruled out by doing test at 6 months.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (17 minutes later)

Thanks for reply doctor but I have done hiv antibody test 1&2 at 2 month and 15 days and also pcr qualitative test at 2 month and 8 days doctor at civil says pcr test done after 8 week is conclusive. Plz guide me

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find clarification below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Your doctor is correct but the DNA PCR test is not routinely used for screening of HIV. It is better for detecting viral loads in patients. Rarely the DNA PCR might be false positive. If your report is negative then there is no need to worry.

2. The earlier reply about HIV 1 and 2 and p24 antigen testing is the latest test done in countries like USA and UK.

3. I gave you suggestion based on latest testing method in USA. This is called the rapid 4th generation test for HIV 1 and 2 and p24 antigen. This is conclusive for HIV 1 at 30 days and for HIV 2 at 6 months.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 minutes later)

Thank u for reply dear doctor the test done at hospital is antibiotic hiv 1 & 2 combo aid test 123 all negative and pcr done at 8 week 6 days non reactive will this be taken as final conclusion or I have to retest after 3 month also

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are 99.99 percent safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. If you were my patient then I would tell that you are 99.99 percent safe.

2. For peace of mind, I would suggest doing combo HIV 1 and 2 and p24 test again at 6 months.

3. It is always better to follow international guidelines and be 100 percent safe.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (46 hours later)

Hello doctor I think condom was not broke but condom slipped half the penis and my penis was loose if the fluid of sex worker have gone inside is there any chance of hiv. I have done 3rd generation antibody test at 2 month and pcr qualitative test at 2 month 10 days and again 3rd generation antibody test 1 and 2 at 2 month 13 days all result were negative. Is this result conclusive or I have to go for 3 month test And 6 month test

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is a 1 in 2000 chance of getting HIV for you

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. If the fluid of the sex worker went inside the penis then there is a 1 in 2000 chance of having HIV infection following condom slipping.

2. The rules for 3rd generation test are that it should be done at 3 months and 6 months after probable exposure and both reports should be negative to be called as conclusive.

2. I agree that chances are less for you to get HIV infection and till now the antibodies and PCR test is negative.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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