HIV Duo Test

[voyager75]

Hi Doctors,

I had an encounter with an escort in London on the 5th of January 2010. It was protected and to the best of my knowledge I do not think the condom tore but I cannot be sure. There was a think white discharge from her vagina which had a funny smell. 2 weeks later I noticed bumps around my penis. I had a full std test at freedomhealth and the bumps were diagniosed as warts and they were treated by freezing.

Since then I have had various symptoms including fever, sorethroat, a rash patch on my hand, dry mouth, bleeding gums, muscle and joint pain, itching and aches under my armpit. It is now 10weeks post exposure.

My questions are more around HIV. I have had the following tests

1. PCR test at 16 days post exposure - result negative
2. Duo test at 4 weeks post exposure - result negative
3. Duo test at 7 weeks post exposure - result negative

My questions are
1. Can these tests be considered conclusive for HIV or should I do another one at 13weeks
2. Why do you say the 28 day Duo test at 4 weeks is conclusive? Everywhere else says that you need to retest at 3 months.

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello,

I've repeated the bulk of your questions beneath to make them easier to reply to - I hope thats ok.

"My questions are more around HIV. I have had the following tests

1. PCR test at 16 days post exposure - result negative
2. Duo test at 4 weeks post exposure - result negative
3. Duo test at 7 weeks post exposure - result negative

My questions are
1. Can these tests be considered conclusive for HIV or should I do another one at 13weeks

These tests are conclusive and you do not need to do any more in respect of the episode you describe. You had a zero risk exposure because you used a condom. You have also had three ultra-sensitive tests which are all negative. You are HIV negative.

2. Why do you say the 28 day Duo test at 4 weeks is conclusive? Everywhere else says that you need to retest at 3 months.

We say that it is 99.89% conclusive at 28 days - manufacturers and independent data. Your episode was protected = zero risk. Zero risk and a 99.89% test at an appropriate interval = certainty. You are incorrect in your statement that "everywhere else says you need to retest at 3 months". We will sometimes suggest that people do retest but in fact most people retest due to their anxiety about the original incident rather than anything else.

You are absolutely fine. Best wishes, Sean

[halfoldman]

this is doctors forum,how ever I wish to pitch in as I have encountered this question several times, a duo test as the name implies looks for antigens and antibodies, the antigens are P24 protien marker of the virus itself and appears as early as 10 days,and is conclusive in 28days,apart from this early detection it also looks for antibodies, when antibodies are well established the antigens slowly fade away.. Now u know the answer for your worry... U dont hav hiv, also the pcr test though has high false positive, it can detect the virus as early as 10 to 15 days.. So your worries are not warrented. Assuming hypothitical case, when u took the duo at 7th week ,even if it was a stand alone antibody test it would have shown positive around that time ,since almost all people would have tested positive at 7 to 8 weeks if they hav cought the virus prior to 7 weeks, the three month mark is very conservative, its for people who may have been on injectable steroids or advanced  cancer therapy or hepatitis C but even for them its very rare to go past the 3 month mark. So u shouldnt worry and move on since all ur symptopms are worry related consult a gp and get back to enjoying life than worrying about what u dont have, hope it helps regards take care

[voyager75]

Is it posible to get an answer to my question from one of the doctors. I have started to develop itching all over my chest and stomach with two bumps appearing but no rashes. My skin seems very sensitive all over. I am beggining to get worried and would appreciate a reply.