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HIV Risk or not ?

Dear Dr.

I tested at a lab for HIV (85 days after exposure) and I couldn't wait for my results due to anxiety, thus I decided to order an HIV rapid kit online.
I used the HIV rapid kit (Finger Prick Test) and I got a negative result. I wanted to discard the kit 10-15 minutes later and by mistake my pricked finger got in contact with test pad. That's after applying the buffer solution and the blood.

P.S. the lab also replied later that my HIV results were negative too.

My Questions are:
1) Did I put myself at risk again due to the pricked finger contact with the test pad?
2) As I understand, rapid tests have HIV antigens and it tests for antibodies against them, thus are HIV antigens contagious or they are different from the actual virus ?
3) Do I need to test again or I can finally conclude that I'm HIV negative ?

Thanks,
2 Responses
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936016 tn?1332765604
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Martin

You can relax about this. The HIV testing kits pose no risk at all of HIV infection. There is no live or active virus in the kits.

1) Did I put myself at risk again due to the pricked finger contact with the test pad?

DEFINITELY NOT

2) As I understand, rapid tests have HIV antigens and it tests for antibodies against them, thus are HIV antigens contagious or they are different from the actual virus ?

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - THEY POSE NO THREAT OR RISK TO YOU

3) Do I need to test again or I can finally conclude that I'm HIV negative ?

YOU ARE HIV NEGATIVE

Kind regards, Sean
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Dear Dr, Cummings,

Thank you so much for your kind reply.

Best Regards,
Helpful - 0

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