[Question #10037] Negative combi test after 79 days !
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26 months ago
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Greeting dr handsfield , I had a body to body message wearing a condom with a woman , I don’t know if there was penetration but our genitals were touching(let’s assume there was a penetration) , after 10 weeks of the exposure I had severe diarrhea , vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days , I tested for hiv after 79 days and it’s written on the test Human Immunodeficiency combi (HIV-I p24 Ag, HIV-I Ab including group O, HIV-II Ab), I was Reliefed but after 2 month i was diagnosed with anal fungal infection and I am really scared right now , my questions are :
1) is my test 3rd or 4th generation test and is it conclusive ?
2) I will test next week what is the chance that the test will be positive?
3) I have read that even after window period tests are never 100% , then why don’t experts advice clients to test twice to be sure that the test won’t miss any infection I think one test is not enough even after the window period
Thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
26 months ago
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Welcome. Thanks for your question.
Some questions can be accurately, or nearly so, based only on the title chosen by the user. In this case, before I read anything else, if you have indeed had a negative HIV antigen-antibody (AbAb, "4th generation", or "combi") test 79 days after your last possible exposure, it proves you do not have HIV, no matter how high risk the exposure was an no matter what symptoms or other medical problems you might be experiencing.
Now I have read your question beyond the title. Guess what? As just implied, test results overrule all else. And in any case, an "anal fungal infection" is not a condition that suggests HIV or any other immune deficiency. I'm guessing you actually have a yeast infection (a kind of fungus, but very common regardless of someone's immune status). Symptoms like diarrhea dn vomiting also do not imply immune deficiency or HIV. In addition, you describe an exposure that had absolutely no risk of HIV infection. You really didn't need HIV testing at all. To your specific questions:
1) Any and all tests you had more than 45 days after the sexual exposure you are concerned about proved that you did not catch HIV. Your negative result at 79 days is conclusive.
2) There is no reason for you to test again in a week. (3 month testing is not necessary with the AgAb tests, nor recommended by most experts. If I were you I wouldn't do any more tests. But if you go ahead with another test, you can count on another negative result.)
3) Most experts do not follow the policy you describe. Some extra cautious doctor may recommend a second test in case of an error in the first, but it's almost never necessary and I do not recommend it.
So all is well. You do not have HIV. I hope this information is helpful to you. Best wishes and stay safe!
HHH, MD
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26 months ago
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Dr handsfield I am honored to talk with you , you and dr hook had spent most of your lives fighting this horrible disease , you are real heros, thank you for your answer I will close this part of my life for good but after those last questions:
1) why my test is called combi not combo , are they different ?! I am afraid combi is not agAb test.
2)what is the chance of a lab error? I have read that it’s foolproof.
3)from what i have read even if I had tested with third generation hiv test my test would also conclusive ?after 79 days .
4) is there a very big difference in hiv test reliability between 79 and 84 days
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
26 months ago
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1) "Combi" and "combo" are just names chosen by the test manufacturers, for marketing reasons. The tests are equivalent.
2) Indeed, the test methods are highly automated and basically foolproof. Lab error is extraordinarily rare if it occurs at all. And you had several tests, right? Can you really imagine that ALL were mistaken?
3) Correct -- 8 weeks for the "third generation" blood tests.
4) No difference between 79 and 84 days.
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