accurracy of hiv tests within window period

i had an exposure to hiv about 3 weeks ago, about a week ago i devoloped sore, swollen groin, i took my hiv test and it came back negative. my question is that if i was exibiting symptoms, how accurate were my results within the window period?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

About 70-80% of newly infected people have positive HIV antobdy tests 3 weeks after exposure.  Most people have symptoms, although they often are mild.  The antibody test is almost always positive by about 10 days after onset of symptoms.

This thread will be moved to the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.  However, before you ask any additional follow-up qustions, please look for innumerable other threads with the same information; these issues have been discussed literally hundreds of threads. Use that forum's search link and enter such terms as "HIV diagnosis", "window period", and "time to positive HIV test".

Regards--  HHH, MD

  

[scared506]

i accidently posted in the wrong forum. i apologize it wont happen again

[scared506]

So a almost a week later i have started getting a sore throad with swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, I dont have a fever. is it common to get symptoms a week later and have no fever with ars?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

A week later than what?  If it's a week after exposure, it is conceivable that such symptoms are due to HIV, although more likely it's just a cold, especially in the absense of fever.  It you mean a week after your previous message -- i.e. 4 weeks after exposure -- it's too late to be HIV.  Either way, it's probably a cold.  But of course see a health care provider if you are concerned about it, especially if you had a truly high risk exposure.  (The large majority of quesitons on this forum are from people who are unduly frightened after an exposure that in fact carries little or no risk.)

I'll be happy to comment further if you want to describe the nature of the exposure or if you return to report the result of professional evaluation.  Or just have another HIV test after 6 weeks, with the expectation the result will be negative.

[scared506]

so on july 20th, had some oral, and genital rubbing ( no intercourse) from a stripper/sexworker. more than 2 weeks later, i started having swelling in the groin. I got tested the next week, which came back negative. A couple days after that i developed the sore throat, swollen nodes, and fatigue. My doctors checked me for mono and strep which also came back negative. My doctor did not seem concerned and said that i probably have a virus of some sort, but the swelling in my groin does not seem to be std related, and they think it is very unlikely that i have hiv. But the symptoms seem to coincidental to me. also i still have the symptoms.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

That is a zero risk exposure for all practical purposes, and I agree with your doctor.  Let's consider the "coincidence".  Your symptoms are very common; in the US, it's a fair bet a few million people every month have many or most of your symptoms.  And every month a few million people have new sexual encounters.  It stands to reason both things happen to lots of people, simply on a random basis.  Such a coincidence is hundreds of times more likely than the chance you caught HIV from the sort of exposure you describe.

Follow your doctor's advice.  If s/he recommends additional HIV testing, feel free to report the result here.  But this thread is closed to any comments other than that.