[Question #10948] HIV Testing and affect of Multivitamins
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18 months ago
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I had unprotected anal sex (Male to female) on 10/28/23. No symptoms since then.
4th gen antigen/ antibody test on 01/22/24 ( 88 days) later and got negative result. I take One a day multivitamin (MV) and consumed it the night before the tests.
Question is:
1. Do i need additional testing or are these tests conclusive.
2. I read online that biotin could affect the 4th gen test results. Can the one a day multivitamins affect the results.
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18 months ago
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I could add this to the earlier message due to the length. I again tested for 4th gen antigen/ antibody test on 02/06/24 ( 100 days) later and got negative result. I take One a day multivitamin (MV) and consumed it the night before the tests. I also took Oraquick test on 01/26/24 and 02/05/24 and got negative results.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
18 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your question and your implied confidence in our service.
The encounter you describe was low risk. Few women have HIV and even when they do, less than % of single encounters with an untreated HIV-infected person leads to infection. More importantly however, you have proven that you were not infected. Your 4th generation test was taken at a time when the results were conclusive and have since verified your negative result with additional testing.
Your multivitamin will have no impact on your test results. While biotin in very, very high levels, can inhibit some HIV tests the amount of biotin needed to do this is far more than what is contained in standard multi-vitamins. Further having consumed your vitamin the evening before you tested means that the level of biotin in your blood the next day was negligible. The issue of biotin inhibition of HIV test accuracy is overblown in the internet and unfortunately, this mis-information has caused considerable concern for out clients,
Please don't worry- you do not have HIV from the encounter you describe. Your results are conclusive. There is no need for further testing. EWH
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18 months ago
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Thank you for the response Dr. Ed.
To conclude the earlier response since I did my 4th gen test on 88 days and 100 days after the exposure. I do not need additional testing and the HIV infection it would have been detected in my blood by then.
For my information is it true that 4th gen test after 45 days negative result does not need a confirmatory test
Some websites mention a 6 month confirmatory test. Is it true that this is not needed if i did the 4th gen blood test at the above dates?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
18 months ago
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Thanks for your follow up questions. They allow me to clarify some all too common misinformation.
Fourth generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody tests are uniformly and entirely conclusive 45 days after a sexual contract. Beyond that there is no reason for further testing whatsoever. Recommendations that additional testing be carried out at three or six months or even later are overly conservative and unnecessary.
I hope this information is helpful. You are in the clear. Time to move forward without concern. EW.
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18 months ago
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Thank you for the response. Why do all say 99% sure. With the testing i have done at 88 days and 100 days can i be 100% sure that i dont have HIV from that encounter.
By the way probably doesnt matter as i tested negative that the encounter happrened at a massage parlor with unprotected anal sex but it lasted for 1-2 seconds where only the penies head went in after which i pulled out and washed it.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
18 months ago
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Sigh. I’m not sure “all” are. Are you looking on the Internet? There are no perfect single tests, because sometimes errors are made in the laboratory or other unexplainable occurrences but with two negative tests at 88 and 100 days, there is simply NO way you could have acquired HIV from the encounter you describe. If you look at my reply to your question.” Uniformly and entirely conclusive…”. There is no way you could have HIV from the encounter you describe.
This completes this thread. Please don’t worry. EWH
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