What Does My HIV Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 28 Nov 2017

Question: What is the accuracy in Rapid finger stick testing at 38 days? My exposure (I am female) was a brief unprotected vaginal intercourse with a heterosexual male. I tested negative at 38 days, an plan on getting tested at the 3 month mark but can that negative be a good indicator of my status?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your repeat HIV test will rule out HIV infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HIV rapid test can detect antibodies against HIV, in the presence of an infection. Antibodies will take 6-8 weeks time to appear in the body, may be delayed upto 12 weeks. So your non-reactive HIV test has of no value by 38 days, even though you had your test 5 weeks after the exposure.
Dr S Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D