Aa
HIV test question
Dear Doctor,
I have a few questions for you involving two separate encounters, subsequent testing and information I have been given by an employee at a testing center.
Firstly, in January of 2009 I had what I remember to be an unprotected sexual encounter with a heterosexual American male in the Army. Our condom broke. He claimed to be clear of all STDs.
In January of 2010 I had 2 separate sexual encounters with a heterosexual American male in Medical School who I had dated briefly. He also claims to be negative on all counts when it comes to STDs.
I have recently found myself having a bout of hysteria about the risk I put myself in for HIV. I was tested with a rapid HIV test in May of '09 (negative), November of '09 (Negative), May of '10 (negative once again) and October of 2010 (2 weeks ago - Negative). I have always tested 2x a year.
This past time, I was told that 'HIV' not AIDS could lay 'dormant' (I do know that it could take years for HIV to turn into overt AIDS) and that NO HIV test could 'ever' be 100% accurate. Which lead to me wonder - how can I ever be 100% sure I don't have it? Which is why I turn to the expert.
I know that rapid HIV tests look for HIV antibodies and that is why there is some fear about people getting 'false negative' results. I waited out my window period as indicated by the CDC, but now I am scared that somehow - after almost 2 years (Mr. 2009 is the main worry I have) HIV could suddenly become an issue for me.
If you could, please let me know if I need to be tested again, and if I can truly be certain I am 100% HIV negative. I am currently in a long term relationship and have been since March. I need to know I will not give anything to my boyfriend. Also, can you please answer for me why people say HIV can lay dormant? This is not true, is it?
I greatly appreciate all of the advice and information you give,
Thank you so very much for (hopefully) putting my fears and concerns at bay.
I have a few questions for you involving two separate encounters, subsequent testing and information I have been given by an employee at a testing center.
Firstly, in January of 2009 I had what I remember to be an unprotected sexual encounter with a heterosexual American male in the Army. Our condom broke. He claimed to be clear of all STDs.
In January of 2010 I had 2 separate sexual encounters with a heterosexual American male in Medical School who I had dated briefly. He also claims to be negative on all counts when it comes to STDs.
I have recently found myself having a bout of hysteria about the risk I put myself in for HIV. I was tested with a rapid HIV test in May of '09 (negative), November of '09 (Negative), May of '10 (negative once again) and October of 2010 (2 weeks ago - Negative). I have always tested 2x a year.
This past time, I was told that 'HIV' not AIDS could lay 'dormant' (I do know that it could take years for HIV to turn into overt AIDS) and that NO HIV test could 'ever' be 100% accurate. Which lead to me wonder - how can I ever be 100% sure I don't have it? Which is why I turn to the expert.
I know that rapid HIV tests look for HIV antibodies and that is why there is some fear about people getting 'false negative' results. I waited out my window period as indicated by the CDC, but now I am scared that somehow - after almost 2 years (Mr. 2009 is the main worry I have) HIV could suddenly become an issue for me.
If you could, please let me know if I need to be tested again, and if I can truly be certain I am 100% HIV negative. I am currently in a long term relationship and have been since March. I need to know I will not give anything to my boyfriend. Also, can you please answer for me why people say HIV can lay dormant? This is not true, is it?
I greatly appreciate all of the advice and information you give,
Thank you so very much for (hopefully) putting my fears and concerns at bay.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A negative test 9 months after the last exposure is 100% proof you don't have HIV. A negative rapid (finger stick) test is just as reliable as the tests done in laboratories. You don't need any additional testing. If your sexual lifestyle stays as it is, you can expect to go for a lifetime without catching HIV.
And for clarity's sake the test I took two weeks ago was the rapid HIV antibody test where they prick your finger.
Thank you, I'm sorry for any unclear information I gave you.
My most recent test was in October of 2010, just two weeks ago. This test occured 9 months after the most recent encounter and 21 months after the one in 2009.
I guess this means I'm in the clear!?!?!
And, admittedly, during the past two weeks I have spent MUCH too much time researching. It's done me absolutely no good - that's why I decided to ask you.
Thank you for the information.
My most recent test was in October of 2010, just two weeks ago. This test occured 9 months after the most recent encounter and 21 months after the one in 2009.
I guess this means I'm in the clear!?!?!
And, admittedly, during the past two weeks I have spent MUCH too much time researching. It's done me absolutely no good - that's why I decided to ask you.
Thank you for the information.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
It sounds like you have been spending more time than you shoudl searching the web and worrying about HIV. Interpretation of HIV tests is much more clear and definite than you seem to have "learned".
In the US, heterosexually transmitted HIV is a lot rarer than you might assume from media reports. You are in an extremely low risk category. It is exceedingly unlikely that an active duty US military member has HIV. They are tested on recruitment then repeatedly -- and most who are infected are discharged very soon. And your other partner sounds to be at equally low risk. Almost every woman in the US with sexually acquired HIV was the regular partner, usually for years on end, of an infected man. Very few catch HIV from the occational encounter with infected partners.
The doctor who told you that you can never be 100% sure (based on blood test results) is simply wrong. It is not possible to have HIV with negative tests.
Your message isn't clear on exactly when you were last tested. If it was more than 8 weeks after your last sexual exposure, then it is 100% certain you don't have HIV. If that's the case, I see no need for additional testing.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
It sounds like you have been spending more time than you shoudl searching the web and worrying about HIV. Interpretation of HIV tests is much more clear and definite than you seem to have "learned".
In the US, heterosexually transmitted HIV is a lot rarer than you might assume from media reports. You are in an extremely low risk category. It is exceedingly unlikely that an active duty US military member has HIV. They are tested on recruitment then repeatedly -- and most who are infected are discharged very soon. And your other partner sounds to be at equally low risk. Almost every woman in the US with sexually acquired HIV was the regular partner, usually for years on end, of an infected man. Very few catch HIV from the occational encounter with infected partners.
The doctor who told you that you can never be 100% sure (based on blood test results) is simply wrong. It is not possible to have HIV with negative tests.
Your message isn't clear on exactly when you were last tested. If it was more than 8 weeks after your last sexual exposure, then it is 100% certain you don't have HIV. If that's the case, I see no need for additional testing.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
