HIV Test Result and HEP C

Hello Doctor

I had after a risk situation, the following test

-5 weeks HIV-1 / 2 AB + HIV-1p24 AG negative
-9.5 weeks HIV-1 / 2 AB + HIV-1p24 AG negative
-11 weeks HIV-1 / 2 AB + HIV-1p24 AG negative
-12 weeks HIV-1 / 2 AB + HIV-1p24 AG negative

If I had HEP C infection (bevor the risk situation and untreated), the tests were still 100% sure?
Can there be a slowed HIV-antibody formation (due to HEP-C) type, which lasts longer than 12 weeks?

Can I still be 100% sure that I am HIV negative?



Thank you for your help.

Greetings from Switzerland

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, you can be 100% certain you did not catch HIV during the "risk situation" that concerns you.  In fact, your last 3 tests were a waste of money and time.  The duo test, i.e. for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen, is 100% reliable at 4 weeks or more after exposure.  Common advice about needing to test at 3 months applies to the stand-alone antibody tests (and even with those tests, 6 weeks is generally sufficient).

Hepatitis C has no effect on HIV test results.  In fact, there are no medicines or illness that make HIV testing unreliable, with the possible exception of advanced (terminal) illnesses and cancer chemotherapy -- and even these are theoretical, with few if any actually proved cases of delayed or unreliable HIV testing.

I hope this helps settle your concerns.  You can go forward with complete confidence you do not have HIV.

Regards--  HHH, MD