I Know it's Probably stupid

I had had unprotected vaginal sex with a CSW in russia and i went to a GUM clinic and had a full std test including hiv. this test was 10 weeks after the exposure.. and they came back all clear and the Hiv test came back negative too after 10 weeks but i have been reading that i should have waited at least 3 months  to be tested... so is my 10 week negative conclusive i'm pulling my hair out about it... i know its probably just fear getting the better of me...

Many thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If you're in the UK, implied by your use of "GUM clinic", you can be sure you had an expert evaluation and that your HIV test result is reliable.  ( For other readers, GUM = genitourinary medicine and GUM clinics are equivalent to combined STD/HIV clinics in the US or "sexual health centres" in Australia).  In any case, a 10 week negative HIV antibody test is 100% reliable, for practical purposes, after a relatively low risk exposure like vaginal sex.  But if in doubt, ask your GUM clinic provider about it.  UK's GUM personnel know just as much about these issues and Dr. Hook and I do.

Indeed, it's your anxiety speaking, not the more objective part of your brain.  You're fine.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[iz824]

I'm just scared that she may of been infected with HIV and now i am... Very sorry to ask this as you probably get asked it all the time but i'm going crazy with fear that my negative at 10 weeks may be a false reading...

Thanks iz

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You sent this comment as I was entering my reply above.  Re-read the last line.

[iz824]

Thank you very much Doc.. you have lifted a unbelievable weight off my shoulders!! i can get back to enjoying life!!

All the Best and Thanks

Iz

Out of intrest why do some places say that testing before 3 months is inaccurate..?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Many education resources take intentionally very conservative positions.  Also, our advice on this forum is based not only on test performance, but on the overall context.  Assume the test is 99% reliable at, say, 6-8 weeks.  If someone had only 1 in 100,000 chance of catching HIV in the first place (e.g., a typical heterosexual event as described on this forum), a 99% reliable negative test converts the chance the person is infected to 1 in 10 million.

Use the search link for "HIV diagnosis", "time to positive HIV test", or "seroconversion" for many discussions about it on this forum.

[iz824]

Ahh got it...

you've been a great help!! once again thank you very much!!

Iz