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How Confident??

Hello Doctor,

I had what my doctor in the UK called
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Test "generation" no longer is an issue and HIV diagnostic experts no longer refer to test generation number.  All labs in industrialized countries use recently developed tests that turn positive somewhat more reapidly than the ones used before the mid 1990s.  And the figures you cite aren't mine; another fourm user must have posted them.  They're probably in the right range, though.

Assessing your chance of having HIV is not dependent only on test performance, but on the overall scenario.  Chance your partner had HIV, let's say 1%.  Average chance of infection if she had it, 1 in 2000.  Chance of missing HIV with a negative test at 25 days, say 5%.  The odds you have HIV thus are 0.01 x 0.0005 x 0.05 = 0.00000025.  That's 1 chance in 4 million.  By contrast, for a person who lives in the US, the lifetime chance of being killed by lightning in 1 in 28,000--143 times greater than the chance you have HIV.

In other words, you have no chance of having HIV.  You did not need testing at all, and certainly don't need another test.

Good luck--  HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
You have a better chance of winning the lottery then catching hiv from the one time unprotected vaginal sex.
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"In other words, you have no chance of having HIV. You did not need testing at all, and certainly don't need another test."

Well, I am still confused on this testing thing.  I have had a similar exposrue as most others.  Unprotected vaginal (although not for lack of trying, condom failed) with an escort.  The whole event was ~2minutes - 3 minuttes TOPS unprotected with ejac.  I tested at 5 weeks (34days, negative) and thought that was good enough until I started reading the recent posts of 6-8 weeks.  My doc called this 5 wk test conclusive and no further tests were necessary.  Needless to say I am now waiting for 8 week results, still nerve wracked.

But, my odds should be pretty much identical I would think if not even a bit better due to 5 week test.dont know what gen.) but my doc did say we are up to date with latest technology in testing.  The orig test was for my benefit apparently.

I would assume an 8 week test will be negative as well and I can finally move on??  Could you please answer Dr.?  very much appreciated.  This is extremely confusing.
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Avatar universal
Yes your 8 week is conclusive and move on.  Your chances of contracting it if she was infected are slim too.  It's a good idea to be tested if you are outside mutually monogomous relationships just because you are increasing your chances.  One time episodes are in itself low.  I'm sure you tested for peice of mind, which is why it is suggested for one time encounters.  (Not to be confused with a hundred one time encounters, you get it?)
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After re reading your question, yes 5 weeks are almost conclusive.  It is suggested that you have 8 weeks just to be sure.  You don't have it.  Move on
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I have only got results for a 5week not 8 week although I am waiting anxiously for that one.....thanks for the response though.
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ooops, sorry I did not see your follow up...thanks
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If anyone is interested, my 8 week was negative.  I am done.  The nurse I saw asked me if I knew how many heterosexual males that have tested positive in that clinic since 1985?  I said I had no idea.  4!  of those 4, some(most?all?) had been named a few years later as partners of positive gay males as they do track that info here, not sure about anywhere else.  This clinic tests about ~10000 ppl/year and he had been there from the beginning.

Not that I am saying there is no risk, but it is obvious by what I have read here, and a few other places, and now heard with my own ears, the risk is low.  Don't take this as a message of hey I can go screw anything without protection and I will be fine but for most instances, as the Dr. has said many times, single exposures such as this are very low risk.

I know it is hard to think rationally when waiting to get to a test date and then waiting for results.  I read, and heard, soooo much affirmation that my risk was minimal, but I just could not accept it until verified.  But that's just me.

Hope this may help some others who are going through this or are going to be in the future.
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Avatar universal
Thumbs up..!
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Avatar universal
thanks!
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