How accurate is a 4th gen test at 21 days?

[Seekpeace]

I am a woman who had unprotected and pretty rough sex with a man 28 days ago tomorrow. I was not the most coherent and at some points, we had sex 2 times the second time was worse than the first. No anal entry, I was aware long enough to refuse that.  I am unsure if his background, other than he is a bartender, but feel he may be hiding his bi-sexuality. Not that/that's an issue, but I feel like he hides everything else. He claims he's safe and was tested. I was inebriated and had no intention on having unprotected sex until it happened. Now, four weeks later my tongue is white and I have muscle cramping. I have tried to ask the tough questions of him but really can reply on his response about resting. My question is how much do symptoms play a role in testing positive? Also, I took a baseline 4th gen test that was negative at 17 days, which was neg and took another at 24 days. I find out the results tomorrow. I am on pins and needles because to nurse told me at 21 days the rest is absolute. Now I'm reading is 30 days to be on the safest side. Please provide your expert insight. Thank you.

[lovedayarthur]

Did u do a 12 week test to conclude?

[AnxiousNoMore]

Thread is old so she moved on and won't read it.

[iommi]

You're welcome.

[iommi]

4~6 wks is the best time frame to take a 4th generation test. The world health organization considers a 6 week 4th gen test to be conclusive. I mention that so you understand it's effectiveness to detect hiv.
The cdc recommends a 4th gen test during the window period be followed by an antibody test at 12 weeks to be sure.
Your negatives at this time are very encouraging and is most likely your true status.
You were already advised about symptoms.
Hope this brings you some peace your looking for while going through this time.

[Seekpeace]

Thank you for your response and for providing so much valuable information. It is appreciated.

[Seekpeace]

24-day 4th gen test was negative. I will test again in 6 weeks to be absolute. This site has helped me tremendously. It's one of the few sites that have real conversations about real circumstances without judgement. Thank you.

[iommi]

We are here to help and appreciate your kind words.

[Seekpeace]

Just an update, my 45 day (6 weeks post possible exposure) 4th gen test was also non-reactive Thanks again!

[AnxiousNoMore]

Your symptoms are irrelevant because they are self-diagnosed and highly likely to be incorrect. You are living with fear which makes you sweat and tense up, so the self-diagnosed "cramping" may just be tensing too much.
In fact the highest probability is they either existed before and you ignored them or else they are just in your head because fear makes you over-analyze your body looking for things that you do not have the background to diagnose.
So nothing is pointing toward HIV - only a test can be conclusive so try to relax while waiting for the results.

Since he said he is negative, also use that to help relax.

I presume the nurse works at an Std clinic so should know the proper test timelines, but you can ask her which national guidelines she is going with so you can check online at that medical site.

[Seekpeace]

Thank you for responding and you may be right but I left out some pertinent information. The sex was so rough and dry I could wipe myself for a week, when I did wipe it was slightly bloody, my groin glands were swollen for two weeks.  The clinic thought I had herpes so they did a swab for that and all the other STDs that could be tested in a vaginal swab. Those all came back negative. I had never had such rough, dry sex before to cause such damage that I felt like he may be infected and was looking to infect me. This is why I came to the conclusion to get tested for everything, including hiv.