[Question #10504] Testing clarification
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22 months ago
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Hello, during a night out 36 days ago a stranger French kissed me. I decided to see a Dr the following day and was told low/risk.
I decided to test at 29 1/2 days
Gen 4 HIV ag/ab lab test: non-reactive results.
Questions:
1.) Can I consider this conclusive?
2.) Why the past change from 28-45 days.
3.) Is the second window a concern for delayed seroconversion?
Thanks for the help!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
22 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thank you for your questions. The encounter you describe did not put you at risk for acquisition of HIV. Your testing conclusively confirms that you did not get HIV from the encounter you describe.
1.) Can I consider this conclusive?
Yes, you can be confident that you did not acquire HIV from the encounter you describe.
2.) Why the past change from 28-45 days.
Over 99% of persons who acquire HIV will have a positive test by 4 weeks (28 days) following an exposure. In recent years a very small proportion of exposed persons have been described whose tests converted from negative to positive between 4 and 6 weeks. This group is very, very low and we have never seen such a case ourselves.
3.) Is the second window a concern for delayed seroconversion?
Delayed seroconversion for HIV in persons who have not taken anti-HIV medications after 42-45 days has not been described. This is an urban myth which is unfortunately widespread on the internet.
Bottom line- your encounter was no risk and your test results prove that you did not acquire HIV from the exposure you described. There is no reason for concern and no reason for further testing. EWH
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