Testing and Window Period

[jay20203]

Hi doctors, I've really liked reading all your answers and comments. I have a question. I'm a 28yr old, bi male in NYC. Last November 2011 at the beginning of the month I had unprotected sex with a transgendered woman. Then mid-November I had sex with another transgendered woman who I'm 90% wore a condom (I received). Whether she wore a condom or not, she did not cum inside me (mouth or anus). I then got back together with my girlfriend at the end of November. I haven't had sex since December 5th because I want to make sure I'm clean.and have gotten the rapid HIV test:

December 28th, 2011
January 12th, 2012
January 25th 2012

All were negative. Is this conclusive? I ask because I got tested again this past Wednesday (February 15th, 2012) with my doctor (they took blood, not sure what test that is) and won't find out until Tuesday. Kind of anxious. When the nurse at the free clinic tested me on the 28th of December 2011, she said the window period was 3 months. But she said on 1/25 when I got tested again that the window period is now 6 weeks with the tests they administer so it changed. Is this accurate? Thanks for your help.

[jay20203]

Ok thanks for the further confidence.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If the person you refer to acquired HIV there is no evidence it took him longer than 8 weeks for his test to become positive.  You state that your test was at 103 days.  This is far beyond the 8 weeks that it maximally takes for HIV tests to beocme positive.  Believe your test results.  EWH

[jay20203]

Understood, but what do you mean by "Further, even if this happened, it did so well within the time frame of your testing". Sorry I'm confused by your wording.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The case you refer to is still under investigation.  Further, even if this happened, it did so well within the time frame of your testing.  You need to believe you result. Take care. EWH

[jay20203]

Doctor, as just a follow up and to (what I thought) 100% clear my conscience, I got tested again via Rapid Antibody at the Bellevue Hospital Center in NYC on March 16th and it was negative again. The nurse again told me their tests have a 6 week window period and are definitive after 6 weeks. So, since the last time I had sex was December 5th, it had been 103 days. I felt that this would be definitive for me, but I recently came on here and saw the following post: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/hiv-testing/show/1705404 and it has scared me. You both have mentioned before that in the 8 years since this forum was established, not one person acquired HIV after an exposure they asked about, so now I'm scared that I could be an exception like the above mentioned case and be positive later on.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There are few medicines which might delay a positve test.  Your treatment for gonorrhea would have no effect on your test results.  EWH

[jay20203]

Just one follow up to clear my conscience. I read on here that some medications can delay a positive result. I tested positive for Gonorrhea on December 5th 2011 and received a shot to clear the infection the same day. Could the shot/medication I received delay a positive result?

[jay20203]

Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As I said before, there is no medical need for further testing.  

Time for this thread to end. EWH

[jay20203]

Hi Dr. Hook, thanks again for your help. I received my results today and everything was negative. Big relief, but I'm sure you are not surprises. Just to confirm, at this point I don't need any further testing?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  Sorry, there are many types of blood tests.  

2.  No, it has been many years since I have seen anyone who had a negative test at 8 weeks who then became positive. The tests have improved substantially since then.  I remain confident your test will be negative. EWH

[jay20203]

Dr. Hook, thanks for the comment. It was very helpful. I was supposed to get the results back today from my doctor, but they are now saying I have to wait tomorrow. So, I have two follow up questions:

1- Do you know what type of test this is? They took blood then sent it off to a lab. I also had this test back on Dec. 6th 2011.

2- I'm not worried about December 5th with my girlfriend, I'm more worried about mid-November. So, that would be over 8 weeks with a negative rapid anti-body test. Have you ever seen or heard of someone testing negative after 8 weeks, then test positive at 12 weeks?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  Over the years, tests for HIV have become more and more sensitive and, as a result, give definitive answers regarding HIV sooner and sooner.  There are also currently a number of tests now on the market, some of which can provide results sooner than others.  The tests which are most widely used and which take the longest to provide definitive results are tests which test for only antibodies.  These tests now provide definitive test results by 8 weeks following an exposure and for most people sooner than that.   The interval between Dec 5 and January 25 is 7.5 weeks.  At that time, nearly all persons with HIV would have positive tests.  Your Feb 15 will most certainly be definitive.  

If I were you, I would not be worried that you have HIV from your encounters on or before Dec 5.

I hope this comment is helpful.  EWH