HIV risk and testing

[jnovus32]

I have been very worried the past few weeks about possible exposure to HIV. I was with a partner whom I was committed to for a long time and we both went to get tested together on June 1st at the clinic because we hadn't since our last relationships. Anyways, long story short we got into a fight a couple days later and didn't talk until June 7th when we had unprotected anal sex again. I was the inserting partner but he also ejaculated in my rectum that night. I was stupid and didn't even think about the possibility that he could have went out and had sex during that week we were apart, caught HIV and then passed it on to me. After asking him several times he still says he did not have sex with anyone else. It just sucks because I was confident in our negative results and now I know they may no longer be accurate.
I am however very very paranoid about HIV and can't rest until I know again that I am negative for sure. When is the soonest I can obtain an accurate result with a home access kit from Walgreens?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Think about it this way.  As I already told you, your partner was unlikey to have HIV.  Now you have further reduced the already low probability that he was infected by more than 90%. If I were you I would rest easy.  EWH

[jnovus32]

Doctor Hook, I tested negative today at 4 weeks after the last risk. You said about 90% of recent infections would show up by now. In my case how likely do you think I would have to worry about a positive result at 3 months?  Don't you think if I wouldve been infected on the 7th I would have shown up positive by now? This is just all kind of confusing. Thank you so much

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If he does not test, then at 4 weeks your Home Access test woul detect about 90% of recent infections and thus would be quite reassuring. EWH

[jnovus32]

Now assuming that he does not test, when can I test with home access to get a result for myself? Would 4 weeks be a good indicator?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I can understand your concerns.  The major question here is what is the likelihood that your partner got HIV during your 7 days apart?  He says he did not have sex and indeed, most people do tell the truth – you should probably trust him.  Even if he did have sex while you were apart, if he did the statistical chances that his partner(s) had HIV is low and even if he did have sex with an infected partner, the chances that he would become infected are less than 1% per episode of sex.  Thus, statistically the odds are very much in your favor.

So, what can you do and when can you test?  The answer is that if your partner had become infected and was in the process of developing a positive test, his test would be positive at this time. The most direct thing you can do at this time is for you both to get tested- if you are both negative, you can be confident that you were not exposed and move forward from there.

I hope this is helpful.  EWH