HIV exposure and tests

[Scaredguy0146]

I just received a text a few days ago from a woman I had unprotected sex with almost 16 weeks ago who informed me she just recently tested positive for HIV.  Fortunately for these questions I know the exact date of key events. According to her she contracted it about three weeks prior to us having sex which puts her at a highly infectious state. The week after being with me she came down with ars. Six weeks and one day after our encounter i got tested 4th gen duo negative. The day after taking my test I got a 5 day intense flu like illness. A few days ago I did two oraquick oral swab tests after she texted me both of which were negative. I am scheduled for an appointment on Monday to get another lab test where I will be almost 16 weeks out. My concern is that if I was a late seroconverter and got ars the day after my 6 week 4th gen test then the antibody portion of that test is not reliable. That leaves the p24 portion and through my research testing for p24 only has a 55-75% level of accuracy. That would leave the oral swabs which have only a 92% level in detecting positives.

1. What percentage of people take 6weeks to seroconvert?

2. Everything I read says the fourth gen test is 95+% accurate at 6weeks and some even say it's conclusive. How can this be the case if some don't seroconvert till 6 weeks or later and the test is essentially only relying on p24 which has a pretty low sensitivity?

3.  On the oraquick test I learned that some of the 8% false negatives are due possibly to user error or problems with the equipment. I did the test right and used two so I feel like I don't have that factor. What is left from what I read is 95% when that is factored out based on clinical results with the same test. I would assume this 5% just hadn't produced the p41 antibody the test uses even at 13+ weeks out. given all of these facts how nervous should I be on this final lab test?

[Scaredguy0146]

I also want to add that I take 500mg valtrex a day and have been at the time of the incident till present. A lot of information says this doesn't delay seroconversion but I know within the last year or so studies have shown valtrex lowers HIV viral load and I've seen nothing current on the topic of if valtrex will cause a delay in seroconversion. It seems that if it suppresses viral reproduction both p24 and antibodies would remain low possibly below detection for quite some time.

[Claire_MHModerator]

Hi there,

The function of this forum is to provide risk assessments and information regarding STDs, from one member to another.  It looks like you've done a good assessment of your own situation and have also done a fair amount of research.  Your best bet would be to stay in touch with your doctor, who can interpret your risk and testing.  We wish you the best!