hiv ag ab accuracy

[anxiouscol]

Hi,

I had sex with a prositute at the end of the december. I was drunk and believe I wore a condom during most of the time but might have had penetration without condom at some instant... Ive had two hiv ag ab 4th generation tests, one at aprox 15 days, and antoher at 33 days. Both non reactive. I ve been having sore throat and mouth ulcers for the past weeks. Should I test again?
In percentage how accurate is the ag ab test at 33 days?
Can I have unprotected sex with my girlfriend?

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If severe, such symptoms could be due to a new herpes infection.  However, herpes symptoms would start within a few days of exposure and typically are extremely painful in the mouth.  Most likely these symptoms are not due to either HIV or any STD; any number of day to day viruses can do the same thing.  If the symptoms persist, see a doctor or clinic about it.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

The combination tests for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen are virtually 100% reliable any time more than 4 weeks after the last possible HIV exposure.   Your negative result at 33 days proves you didn't catch HIV.  If this is your only potential risk, then you indeed can safely have unprotected sex with your girlfriend.  (That reassurance, of course, counts only for HIV and only for this particular exposure.  I have no way of knowing whether you might otherwise be carrying an STD like herpes, HPV, chlamydia, etc.)

Here are links to two thread that goes into more detail about HIV test reliability at various intervals after exposure, and about the antibody/antigen tests:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/-A-Question-on-Testing/show/1347755
ttp://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Need-your-help/show/1345664

So all is well.  I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[anxiouscol]

Thanks, very clear and reassuring.

Are sore throat and mouth ulcers  symptoms of other stds? The sore throat is more like front of the neck pain than regular sore throat and its been going on for a couple of weeks.

thanks again