[Question #10533] Window period worry

22 months ago

Dear Dr.

My exposure was receptive protected oral and my penis accidentally touched her outer vagina for 5 seconds without condom. I never penetrate her.

1. I know you rely on CDC HIV window period, which is 6 weeks as you said it will rule out HIV infection. However, US CDC actually said 99% people will be tested positive if they have HIV from a exposure after 6 weeks. It’s 99%, not 100%. So why do you think it’ll be conclusive after 6 weeks? If I wanna 100% know I’m not infected with HIV, when should I test? (not 99%) I tested agab duo test on 31, 55 and 92 days after exposure, and I didn’t use PEP. Will my test 100% rule out infection?(not 99%)

2. I got coronavirus 2 weeks after my exposure, and recovered in one week. I felt well. Coronavirus didn’t make me uncomfortable. I heard coronavirus can lower people’s CD4, so I wonder will coronavirus make me compromised immune system and can not produce HIV antibody? Will coronavirus affect HIV window period?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

22 months ago

This repeats the questions on your thread completed yesterday. Repeat questions are not permitted, and it is also against forum policy to have two different usernames and accounts.

1. The AgAb tests are 100% conclusive at 6 weeks, not 99%. Statistically, it takes more data than currently available to be truly certain, hence agencies like CDC may cite "only" 99%. But there has never been a case of HIV in which it took longer than 45 days for a conclusive result.

2. There are no medical conditions, including coronavirus infection, that have any effect on the reliability or timing of any HIV blood test.

There will be no opportunity for discussion.

You do not have HIV. Believe it and move along with no further worry.

HHH, MD

---
---