Hive Prevention

[Chillz2169]

Good afternoon and thank you for taking the time to respond.  I recently found out that a person I had high risk sexual behavior with was HIV-positive.  this was approximately 56 days ago.  I had two oral antibody tests done and one blood anti-body test done all of which were negative on 12/8/13.  This person states that the last time he had any type of sexual relations was in The first week of February 2013, it is now December 10,2013.  He said he had a blood test in March, an oral and urine hiv test in August and they were both negative.  He gave blood about 3 weeks ago and they contacted him and he found out he was positive.  It doesn't make sense that he is now just testing positive (at least to me).  Needless to say I  a little scared, regardless of the 7 week negative results that it might take just as long to develop in me (if I have it).  Does he have a strain that takes longer to develop?  If so will it take that long in me?  Im a little scared..  I thought about having a PCR/RNA or a DUO test done but it seems that those can be inaccurate at times.  Any thoughts on what I should do/where I stand?  Please and thank you for your time.

Needless to say this is a very big lesson learned in life and my motto is absitnance.

Kind regards,

Tim

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I cannot comment on the timing of your partner's positive test or if it is correct.  Virtually all persons with HIV develop positive antibody tests within 8 weeks of their exposure and have positive PCR or antigen tests well before that time.  Blood banks in the U.S. typically use PCR type tests for testing and therefore detect infections earlier (they also sometimes have falsely positive results with this method).  Irrespective, I can tell you however that your tests at 56 and 57 days are conclusive and you can be confident that you did not get HIV from him.  There is no need for further testing.  

I hope this comment is helpful.  You have no reason to be worried about HIV from your exposure two months ago.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.Even with the best immune system in the world I would have developed the antibodies by now?
Yes, you should belive your test results.

2. Is it true that it can lie dormant and undetectable by tests for an extended period of time? (>3, >6, >1yr)
no, this is a myth. Tests would still be positve.  EWH

[Chillz2169]

Thank you for your time doctor.  This alleviates a lot of the stress I have been putting myself through.  If I may, one follow up question.  I am a researcher myself, but being an expert in the field you will know best.  

1.Even with the best immune system in the world I would have developed the antibodies by now?
2. Is it true that it can lie dormant and undetectable by tests for an extended period of time? (>3, >6, >1yr)

I will not ask anymore questions.

Please and thank you sir.  

[fabien292013]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/8-week-test-conclusive/show/1705501


sorry i made a huge mistake and thought it s a community forum

[Chillz2169]

Thanks Fabien292013.  Can you provide the link to that thread if you do not mind.  

[fabien292013]

most people test positif between 4 and 6 weeks..
nobody will test positif after 8 weeks as medhelp doctors said..
so you can be confident you didn t catch it...just wait for 12 weeks to confirm your result

[Chillz2169]

Oral tests were completed at 56 days.  Rapid blood test was completed at 57 days.  All were negative.