Antibody HIV test time after unprotected heterosexual encounter

[viffer]

Hi,

This is a follow up question to an inquiry I made in January 2012.

I am in my late 50s, DWM, heterosexual. Married over 25 years prior to my divorce. This singles thing and dealing with te emergence of HIV/AIDS has me spooked.

I started a new relationship in with a medical profesional, DWF early 50s, several kids, not promiscious. Before we had unprotected sex for the first time 11/18/11 she assured me that she is HIV negative, had been tested, and had been with no one else since long term boyfriend three months before, who is a physician. She tested because the boyfriend had cheated on her with a DWF in her early 50s who is a teacher. I have known both she  and her former BF for over 30 years.

Well, I found out her test was only "about 3 weeks" after she last had sex with her former unfaithful boyfriend. He had been seeing another DWF in her early 50s. We had been having unprotected sex all that time, up until 3/1/12. I have not had unprotected sex since.

In answer to my previous question, Dr. HH assured me that based on demographics, statistics, etc. I had little cause for concern. My cousin, who is an infectious disease physician, said testing really is not necessary in this scenario.

Anyway, just to ease my mind, I did Clearview HIV antibody test at 9 weeks, 5 days after my last unprotected sex. It was negative.

Looking at all the posts about "timelines" and "windows" for testing, it appears that I am fine. I suppose I am a little too paranoid, but I need to put this behind me. Your thoughts?  Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, I would encourage you to move on. EWH

[viffer]

Thanks  for your prompt reply.  Can I move on and not worry about this anymore?
Condoms will be used in my future encounters until I am absolutely certain my partner is STD free. Learned my lesson.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I agree with Dr. Handsfield that this is a low risk relationship. Despite that, there is nothing wrong with getting tested.  In fact, in your life as a "single" it may be that you qualify for periodic STD (including HIV)  "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) if you have new or multiple partners over a period of less than a year.  As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has entered a new relationship or had two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).  

As far as testing is concerned, you can be confident that an HIV antibody test obtained more than 8 weeks after you last exposure will provide completely reliable results.   Thus, based on your CLearview results you can be confident that you did not get HIV.

I hope this comment is helpful.  EWH