3 months neg test also definitive for HIV-2?

[worriedniels82]

Hi Dear,

Many thanks for time you'll dedicate to question. I am a French male living in France.

I tested with 4th generation test HIV1/2 p24 @3 weeks, 4.5 weeks, 9 weeks from a potential risk. All negative. Here in France, an HIV 4th gen negative test are considered definitive at 6+ weeks.

I fully understand why some agencies like here in France rely on 6 weeks definitive results as long as HIV-1 is concerned since they take credit of the p24 HIV-1 antigen detection component. That's national choice I won't ask you to comment.

But as far as HIV-2 is concerned (and independantly of how rare it could be), my understanding is that a 4th generation test does not improve HIV-2 detection because it only relies on antibodies. As a consequence, I assume that HIV-2 component of a 4th generation test is more similar to a 3rd generation test in terms of performance.
Is that correct ? Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

Because I was in doubt regarding HIV-2, I took an additional 4th gen test at 96 days. It came back negative.

My question is therefore the following: does this 4th generation test taken > 3 months could also be considered definitive for HIV-2?

Would you kindly please confirm that HIV2 also is thoroughly well considered when establishing guidelines for testing period in your country,  irrespective of this type prevalence?

Looking forward to reading your answer.

Whish you a wonderful day.

kindest regards from France.

[Chima7]

As you were told previously, you didn't even have a risk for HIV in the first place because you used a condom and oral sex is not considered a risk. Testing was not needed since you were never exposed to HIV. Furthermore, worrying about HIV2 is even more pointless for you due to how highly rare it is first of all and secondly because once again you had no risk anyway. Three negative tests for a non risk is really obsessive. You need to stop obsessing about this and move on.