HIV/STD Test Reliablity

[TWM123]

I posted in this forum a couple of weeks ago about my worries of possibly having contracted HIV or an STD and was advised that HIV tests are highly reliable at 4 weeks after potential exposure. Exposure was low risk but I'm a bit of a worrier.

I had my test at 35 days (5 weeks) after and I have read and been told that a HIV test at this point is reliable over 97% of the time. I'm just wondering is this figure accurate?

Also what is the reliability of a blood test for syphilis, herpes and other STDs at 5 weeks? I've read and been told that it is a similar percentage of reliability, just wondering if this is correct?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks

[Vance2335]

Low risk for STD's yes.

[TWM123]

Hi Vance,

I had a urine test at just after 2 weeks (15 days) and everything came back negative. The nurse at the clinic informed me that tests for HIV although not 100% are highly reliable at 4 weeks and I have read this on several websites? I understand that the recommended window to be almost entirely sure is at 12 weeks. I know I got tested 6 days before the recommended period for syphilis but wouldn't the test be quite accurate then?

I think my risk was deemed as low risk. It involved brief unprotected oral (insertive) and brief protected vaginal with a CSW. I have had no symptoms of syphilis or herpes either, no sores, itchiness etc.

[Vance2335]

NO blood test is reliable at 5 weeks-gonorrhea and chlemydia is a urine test or swab at 1 week, syphilis is blood test at 6 weeks and herpes 3 months.

What was the risk again?