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What Is The Window Period For HIV Test?
Question: Hello Doctor,
Roughly 24 days ago I was exposed to possible risk for HIV. He came inside of my anus. This wasn't the first encounter. I have had a couple encounters before with him in a span of 8 months. However recently, I started to get paranoid because I was experiencing eczema on my elbows, brain fog, tiredness, minor cough with phlegm but NO FEVER and NO SORE THROAT. I researched these symptoms with "HIV" attached to the end and it worsened my paranoia. At roughly 12 days I got tested with a RAPID Blood test, results negative. At 21 Days (3 weeks) I was again Rapid Tested (blood drawn from finger), results still negative. Now on the 24th day I noticed one small red spot (painless) on yhe roof of my mouth (but no sore throat). I know the only way to confirm I do not have HIV is to get tested but the time for waiting the 3 month period is absolutely killing my relations with friends, family and myself. Could this all be coincidence or am I psychologically making myself this way?
Roughly 24 days ago I was exposed to possible risk for HIV. He came inside of my anus. This wasn't the first encounter. I have had a couple encounters before with him in a span of 8 months. However recently, I started to get paranoid because I was experiencing eczema on my elbows, brain fog, tiredness, minor cough with phlegm but NO FEVER and NO SORE THROAT. I researched these symptoms with "HIV" attached to the end and it worsened my paranoia. At roughly 12 days I got tested with a RAPID Blood test, results negative. At 21 Days (3 weeks) I was again Rapid Tested (blood drawn from finger), results still negative. Now on the 24th day I noticed one small red spot (painless) on yhe roof of my mouth (but no sore throat). I know the only way to confirm I do not have HIV is to get tested but the time for waiting the 3 month period is absolutely killing my relations with friends, family and myself. Could this all be coincidence or am I psychologically making myself this way?
Brief Answer:
Get tests after 6-7 weeks by HIV PCR.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.
It has just been 3 weeks passed since exposure. At this early stage there are no conclusive tests and rapid test is unreliable. You have to wait till 6-7 weeks after which you can get tested by PCR TEST to determine if positive it is highly reliable with sensitivity of about 97-99%. After 12 weeks you can get tested by 4 th generation ELISA TEST to determine antigen and antibodies which is also highly sensitive up to 99.99%. But one test is again needed at 6 months to be absolutely sure. The symptoms you are suffering is common viral infection. Do not worry wait for right time to get tests. Do not jump upon conclusions. As of now you aren't having any typical symptoms of HIV. Yes what you are having might just be a co incidence. Have a positive attitude towards life and stay fit. Practice meditation. Practice safe sexual practices. Stay in touch for follow-up.
Hope I answered your query.
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Get tests after 6-7 weeks by HIV PCR.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.
It has just been 3 weeks passed since exposure. At this early stage there are no conclusive tests and rapid test is unreliable. You have to wait till 6-7 weeks after which you can get tested by PCR TEST to determine if positive it is highly reliable with sensitivity of about 97-99%. After 12 weeks you can get tested by 4 th generation ELISA TEST to determine antigen and antibodies which is also highly sensitive up to 99.99%. But one test is again needed at 6 months to be absolutely sure. The symptoms you are suffering is common viral infection. Do not worry wait for right time to get tests. Do not jump upon conclusions. As of now you aren't having any typical symptoms of HIV. Yes what you are having might just be a co incidence. Have a positive attitude towards life and stay fit. Practice meditation. Practice safe sexual practices. Stay in touch for follow-up.
Hope I answered your query.
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I appreciate the reply. however a couple of questions still circulate.
at the clinic I was tested at, they said that the window period was three months for a rapid test, and that after 21 days, although not conclusive, getting a negative result is a good sign that odds are in your favor. they stated they have never seen a test switch results from negative to positive after 21 days. I do plan on getting tested at 6 weeks, 3 months, then finally 6 months, but the time is killing me.
another question:
you say I do not show any symptoms that point towards HIV. can you clarify what exactly are the symptoms and to what intensity those symptoms are? And for whatever symptoms you may experience i.e. sore throat, rash, headaches etc, isn't it always accompanied by a fever? The excema on my elbows are the same color as my skin, where as online it states they are red spots (like measles) in mass proportions.
I need further clarification if at all possible.
thank you.
at the clinic I was tested at, they said that the window period was three months for a rapid test, and that after 21 days, although not conclusive, getting a negative result is a good sign that odds are in your favor. they stated they have never seen a test switch results from negative to positive after 21 days. I do plan on getting tested at 6 weeks, 3 months, then finally 6 months, but the time is killing me.
another question:
you say I do not show any symptoms that point towards HIV. can you clarify what exactly are the symptoms and to what intensity those symptoms are? And for whatever symptoms you may experience i.e. sore throat, rash, headaches etc, isn't it always accompanied by a fever? The excema on my elbows are the same color as my skin, where as online it states they are red spots (like measles) in mass proportions.
I need further clarification if at all possible.
thank you.
Brief Answer:
You cannot rely upon symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Weellcome dear.
1. Yes it is true that if patients are negative in early stages of testing then the likelihood of the test to be negative is high on further tests. So don't worry. One in a million a person reverts to positive. 99.999% chances are you will be negative. This in itself is a positive sign. So don't worry.
2. The symptoms of HIV in early stages is Fever (this is the most common symptom), Swollen glands, Sore throat, Rash(pink raised papular), Fatigue, Muscle and joint aches and pains and Headache. Eczema is not seen in early phase.Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for 10 years or more. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether you have HIV. The only way to know for sure if you are infected with HIV is to get tested.
You have been tested negative on several occasions. You must take a XXXXXXX of relief. I assure you that your tests will be negative even in future. So live healthy and fit.
Best of health.
You cannot rely upon symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Weellcome dear.
1. Yes it is true that if patients are negative in early stages of testing then the likelihood of the test to be negative is high on further tests. So don't worry. One in a million a person reverts to positive. 99.999% chances are you will be negative. This in itself is a positive sign. So don't worry.
2. The symptoms of HIV in early stages is Fever (this is the most common symptom), Swollen glands, Sore throat, Rash(pink raised papular), Fatigue, Muscle and joint aches and pains and Headache. Eczema is not seen in early phase.Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for 10 years or more. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether you have HIV. The only way to know for sure if you are infected with HIV is to get tested.
You have been tested negative on several occasions. You must take a XXXXXXX of relief. I assure you that your tests will be negative even in future. So live healthy and fit.
Best of health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you doctor. I appreciate all the information you have given. But to what instesity are these symptoms? I hear that if you aren't bed ridden with flu-like symptoms and not cold-like symptoms* then you shouldn't worry because the HIV symptoms are as intense as the Flu or Mononucleosis.
and one last question before things are wrapped up. below I have attached a picture of a painless sore I developed over night last night. it isn't raised nor has any pain. what do you think this may be? it's located on the soft palate with a little soreness but not much.
Thank you for everything you have provided me with Doc. Much appreciated.
and one last question before things are wrapped up. below I have attached a picture of a painless sore I developed over night last night. it isn't raised nor has any pain. what do you think this may be? it's located on the soft palate with a little soreness but not much.
Thank you for everything you have provided me with Doc. Much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Apthous ulcer likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
As I explained you must not rely upon intensity of symptoms as such. As different people have different levels of immunity and they respond differently. Therefore symptoms has very little or no role in diagnosing early HIV.
The sore looks like an apthous ulcer developing. Isolated mouth sores in people with no other symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness are usually caused by a viral infection or recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Do not worry do gargle with chlorhexidine for 6-7 times per day. Multivitamins and multimineral supplements are quite beneficial. Frequent, gentle tooth brushing with a soft brush. Stay in follow-up.
Take care.
Apthous ulcer likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
As I explained you must not rely upon intensity of symptoms as such. As different people have different levels of immunity and they respond differently. Therefore symptoms has very little or no role in diagnosing early HIV.
The sore looks like an apthous ulcer developing. Isolated mouth sores in people with no other symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness are usually caused by a viral infection or recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Do not worry do gargle with chlorhexidine for 6-7 times per day. Multivitamins and multimineral supplements are quite beneficial. Frequent, gentle tooth brushing with a soft brush. Stay in follow-up.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
so in other words a canker sore?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes a canker sore.
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes a canker sore.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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