Aa
Unprotected Vaginal Sex, Some Questions
Hello!
I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman I assume is HIV positive roughly 20 days ago. This lasted 3-5 minutes and I am circumcised. I had no cuts on my penis and did not have an STI at the time. I have not taken PEP.
I received a 10 panel STD check (including the 4th generation HIV test) at 14 days post-exposure and everything came back negative. I then took an HIV RNA test 17 days post-exposure and will receive the results within a couple of days. I understand I need to wait a while to test again for HIV for any of these tests to be conclusive.
My questions:
I have read that the 4th generation HIV test can detect the p24 antigen as soon as two weeks, how encouraged should I be that I tested negative? I understand it was too soon for antibodies to show up.
I have not experienced ARS symptoms, should I be encouraged?
I plan on taking the 4th generation test again at 28 days post-exposure, is this appropriate?
Thank you for any replies.
I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman I assume is HIV positive roughly 20 days ago. This lasted 3-5 minutes and I am circumcised. I had no cuts on my penis and did not have an STI at the time. I have not taken PEP.
I received a 10 panel STD check (including the 4th generation HIV test) at 14 days post-exposure and everything came back negative. I then took an HIV RNA test 17 days post-exposure and will receive the results within a couple of days. I understand I need to wait a while to test again for HIV for any of these tests to be conclusive.
My questions:
I have read that the 4th generation HIV test can detect the p24 antigen as soon as two weeks, how encouraged should I be that I tested negative? I understand it was too soon for antibodies to show up.
I have not experienced ARS symptoms, should I be encouraged?
I plan on taking the 4th generation test again at 28 days post-exposure, is this appropriate?
Thank you for any replies.
Both tests were a waste of time and symptoms prove nothing.
You can't get a conclusive result from the 4 gen until 28 days - this is not a high school biology test where you might get a pass if you cheat.
The RNA will never give a conclusive result so don't bother doing it again.
You can't get a conclusive result from the 4 gen until 28 days - this is not a high school biology test where you might get a pass if you cheat.
The RNA will never give a conclusive result so don't bother doing it again.
2 Comments
Thank you for your reply. A couple thoughts:
1. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute – June 2015 states that "The latest tests,
referred to as 4th generation tests, can detect HIV by 11-14 days
after infection." I understand a negative test at 14 days is not conclusive, my question is whether it is appropriate for me to be encouraged by the result. Regardless, I don't think it was a waste of time as I was tested for other STIs as well.
Source is here: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/providers/testing/docs/testing_toolkit.pdf
2. It is also my understanding that the RNA test is highly accurate, albeit not conclusive as you stated. I don't see the harm if this will buy me a little peace of mind.
I'm not trying to "cheat" anything. As I'm sure you know, there is a substantial amount of conflicting information. I am navigating it the best I can.
1. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute – June 2015 states that "The latest tests,
referred to as 4th generation tests, can detect HIV by 11-14 days
after infection." I understand a negative test at 14 days is not conclusive, my question is whether it is appropriate for me to be encouraged by the result. Regardless, I don't think it was a waste of time as I was tested for other STIs as well.
Source is here: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/providers/testing/docs/testing_toolkit.pdf
2. It is also my understanding that the RNA test is highly accurate, albeit not conclusive as you stated. I don't see the harm if this will buy me a little peace of mind.
I'm not trying to "cheat" anything. As I'm sure you know, there is a substantial amount of conflicting information. I am navigating it the best I can.
You had an unquantified risk, and a 4th gen test at 28 will provide the only answer that matters.
1. If it isn't conclusive until 28 days it is valueless, unless you want false hope. I would stick to reality though and try to not think about it as much as possible until 28.
2. The early 4 gen test is what I referred to as cheating, since you cant get any useful info from early testing.
Check another thread a few weeks ago about RNA - no one here recommends it.
1. If it isn't conclusive until 28 days it is valueless, unless you want false hope. I would stick to reality though and try to not think about it as much as possible until 28.
2. The early 4 gen test is what I referred to as cheating, since you cant get any useful info from early testing.
Check another thread a few weeks ago about RNA - no one here recommends it.
Hello,
If we also assume your partner was HIV positive your chances of contracting HIV from vaginal inter course would be more less than 1/1000 . Your negative result is encouraging , Your 4th gen test at 28 days will definitely give you a more conclusive answer . Why are you assuming your partner is positive?
If we also assume your partner was HIV positive your chances of contracting HIV from vaginal inter course would be more less than 1/1000 . Your negative result is encouraging , Your 4th gen test at 28 days will definitely give you a more conclusive answer . Why are you assuming your partner is positive?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
