Is It Possible To Have Manifestations Of Acute Retro Viral Syndrome 10 Weeks After Possible Exposure?

Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015

Question: Can acute retroviral syndrome start 10 1/2 weeks after exposure and last 9+ weeks? Fourth generation hiv test was neg at 14 days. Waiting on latest test results

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms 10 weeks after exposure unlikely to be due to Acute HIV infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

It is quite unusual to have the manifestations of acute retro-viral syndrome 10 weeks after the high risk contact. It usually manifests around 3-4 weeks after the exposure in the presence of an infection. Moreover it would not last for more than 4 -5 weeks. So the symptoms manifested after 10 weeks and lasted for 9 weeks unlikely to be due to acute retro-viral syndrome of HIV disease.
A negative 4th generation test 14 days after the exposure possibly ruled out
HIV 1 infection (becomes more conclusive by 3-4 weeks). Your latest HIV test report will answer all your doubts.
Dr S.Murugan

Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

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