NEGATIVE AT 7 WEEKS AFTER ORAL EXPOSURE

Dr. Handsfield,
I've tested HIV negative at 12 weeks after unprotected vaginal sex and 7 weeks after giving unprotected oral with a ORA/QUICK finger prick rapid test.  I know oral carries a low risk. Partner was tested negative prior to these exposures although there my be some suspected cheating.  Can I rely on these results?  I've also had a full panel of all other STDs including HCV.  All negative.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the HIV forum.

All the information needed to reply to your question is included in the title. With the HIV antibody tests in routine use worldwide, nearly all infected people have positive results by 6 weeks.  And oral sex rarely results in HIV anyway.  So with the combination of an oral exposure plus negative test 7 weeks later, you can be certain you did not catch HIV.

Now I have read the question itself.  You definitely can rely on the negative HIV test result. That would be the case even if your partner was known to have HIV -- but you in fact know the opposite, that s/he almost certainly was not infected.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[lesjen]

  I know it's all anxiety driven especially since testing equivocal on HSV IGM test a few months ago in which you had relieved some fears I had about that.  And yes they had all turned out to be negative is well.  Thank you.