Test Question

[soworred]

Kissing and Mutual Masturbation with a TS, Fluids may have been exchange in the mutual masturbation from hand to penis. I had 4 Mouth swab oral quick antibody test. My questions...are these test conclusive or do i need to take another type of test to be 100% reliable for not contracting HIV.

Test 1.......3 weeks (negative)
Test 2.......6 weeks (negative)
Test 3.......8 weeks (negative)
Test 4.......12 weeks (negative)

Thankyou

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The 3 and 6 month recommendations are out of date.  The recommendations for testing at 3 and even 6 months are the result of two factors- data from older tests no longer used (you really do not need to worry about which generation of tests you were tested with, at this time virtually all tests are far more sensitive that they were even 2-3 years ago when the 3 month recommendation was made) and secondly, the fact that some, mostly governmental agencies which have to provide recommendations for virtually everyone without the sort of interactions such as those you get with your doctor or on personalized sites such as this one, feel the cannot "afford" to be wrong and therefore make recommendations and guidelines which leave most people unnecessarily nervous for 4-6 weeks longer than the 6-8 weeks it takes virtually everyone to develop HIV antibodies.  

Again, believe your test results- you do not have HIV. EWH

[soworred]

Doctor i also read what lambi posted about the antibody showing up. The only reason why it may not show is because of taking a medical drug that suppresses the imune system is that correct?....or going through the Haart treatment?

[soworred]

Doctor can you help me understand why the CDC says come back in 6 months or at least thats what the woman said who gave me the test?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our forum.  You can be confident that you did not get HIV in the exposures that you mention and that you do not have HIV at this time.  HIV is transmitted by genital or ano-genital penetrative sex.  It has never been convincingly shown to be transmitted by kissing, mutual masturbation or oral sex, even when participants get each others’ genital secretions on one another- never.  In addition, the tests you have had are reliable. Your tests were tests for HIV antibodies and HIV antibody tets are conclusive at 8 weeks following exposure. thus your 8 and 12 week test results prove that you did not get HIV.

There is no reason for further concern related to the exposures you describe and no reason for further testing.  I hope this information is helpful to you.EWH