Please calm my fear (HIV window period)

[freedomgirl7]

Hello,

Back in 2014 I saw a guy who seemed to believe he didn't have HIV or any STI's.  I broke things off with him and to be safe went to my Dr's office and had an HIV blood test done.  The test I had was an HIV Ag/Ab combo test which tests for the p24 antigen and HIV1 & HIV2 antibodies - I had this test done at 5 weeks and then again at almost 11 months after my last sexual encounter, both negative.  I was also tested for all the other STI's they routinely test for and all came back negative.  The only thing I didn't test for was hepatitis C as I didn't fit the criteria my Dr's office gave ie.  IV drug user (I have never used any drugs of any kind) and multiple multiple sexual partners (it was just the one guy). I felt confident about my 2 negative HIV tests until I came across information on the internet that if you got an HIV/hepatitis C co-infection, the HIV window period needs to be extended to 12 months....I was never tested for hep C and now I am all worried that IF I somehow got hep C my negative HIV Ag/Ab combo tests at 5 weeks and almost 11 months may not be 100% conclusive....now I am all worried again and I don't want to have to re-open this door and go through testing again.  Here are my questions I am hoping for a thorough answer from someone who is experienced with HIV testing as I need to be reassured:

As I mentioned, based on information I have come across on the internet, an HIV/hepatitis C co-infection means that you should wait 12 months for a conclusive HIV test result.  Is this based on old information from older tests no longer in use?? Guidelines from the 1990's seem to be the source of this recommendation, after a couple of healthcare workers co-infected with HIV/hep C took longer than 6 months to test positive for HIV.  Would this still be an issue with modern HIV tests?? I would assume modern HIV tests are much more sensitive and can detect lower amounts of HIV antibodies in the blood, and that this HIV/hep C co-infection concern is now outdated??

Please respond, I really need help with this!!  Thank you so much

[JamesD1991]

PEP extends the window period to 3 months after your last dose.

Now, all that matters is that you are conclusively negative. It's safe to put this behind you

[freedomgirl7]

Thanks Vance.  What about antiretroviral therapy taken during the window period delaying antibody production to 12 months?  I saw this on wikipedia. Is this also outdated information with today's HIV tests?  I didn't even think antiretroviral therapy delayed HIV antibodies, and why would someone even take it during the window period anyway, before they even know they have HIV?

[Vance2335]

The co-infection does run the possibilty of a lower antibody production/delay but the tests today will pick up antibodies by 3 months basically no matter what.

[freedomgirl7]

So why would an HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection delaying the HIV test window period to 12 months have ever been a "concern"?  Sorry, I'm just trying to get the right info, there's not a lot of clear info about this online that I have found,,

[JamesD1991]

I've already told you that.

[freedomgirl7]

Hi James,

I'm sorry to continue, been trying to calm my anxiety over this, I'll try to make this my last question.  I just want to absolutely confirm that we do NOT need to worry about an HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection delaying the window period of a MODERN HIV test beyond 3 months, is that correct?

[freedomgirl7]

Thanks!

[JamesD1991]

Yes. HIV tests are improving every 2-4 years

[freedomgirl7]

Is that because of all the advancements with modern HIV tests?  I just want to know why there have been previous guidelines of a 6 month window period and even a 12 month window period (as was the case in the 90's with HIV/hep C co-infection).

[JamesD1991]

Everyone will test positive by 3 months. Your test is more than conclusive. You don't have HIV