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Accuracy of 9 week OraQuick HIV test

I had two recent exposures on Sept 29th and on Oct. 12th.  I'm assuming both were lower risk.  The one on the 29th was protected oral and vaginal from a stripper(I was very drunk and I can't remember taking the condom off and that is what scares me since I can't be sure if it failed or not).  The one on the 12th was from an escort and was protected oral(her on me), unprotected oral(me on her) and protected vaginal.  A few days after that last exposure i came down with tonsillitis, fatigue, numbness and weakness in hands and lower legs and started to think about ARS.  I actually get tonsillitis frequently and subsequently had them removed on 12/1.  I had a rapid oral swab HIV test done yesterday(12/15) that came back negative.  I am heterosexual and married.  Can I feel confident in this result or should I go for a future test?  Is so what test would you recommend?  Thank you for all that you do.
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to help.  EWH
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for the quick response.  The fear of getting HIV was really starting to get to me and your response really helps.  I was concerned that the test wasn't done at the 3 month mark and I was still in the window period.  Thank you again!
Helpful - 1
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for your questions.  I agree with your assessment of the risk of these exposures - most strippers/commercial sex workers do not have HIV.  Further, the exposures you describe- giving and receiving oral sex (protected and unprotected) are not associated with risk for HIV.  Neither Dr. Handsfield nor I am aware of persons who have clearly acquired HIV through oral sex.  Similarly, condom protected sex is safe sex and does not put you at meaningful risk for HIV.  Finally, the OraQuick tests are highly reliable and give excellent, reliable test results at any point more than 8 weeks following an exposure. Thus I would urge you to believe yesterday's test result and not worry further about HIV.  I see no need for additional testing.  

I hiope this comment is helpful to you.  EWH
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, oraquick test at 9 weeks was started.
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My advice is to believe your test results.  The combination of anxiety and antibiotic effect on the bacteria normally present in the mouth are a far, far more reasonable explanation than the chance of a falsely negative test.  The white tongue may be thrush, a fungal overgrowth which occurs commonly in persons taking antibiotics. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a little concerned about the possibility of a false negative result.  I saw that there have been questions surrounding the accuracy of the oral test and that got me worried.  I have had dry mouth at night for a few months and have had a whitish tongue in the morning.  I also have a sinus infection and have been on antibiotics for a while from my tonsillitis, surgery and now sinus infection.  Can my anxiety over the test results and taking antibiotics be causing the dry mouth and white tongue?  Should I retest or just move on and believe my 8 week negative result?
Helpful - 0

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