[Question #11330] Follow Up Testing After 1 Year

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15 months ago
At the end of April 2023 I had insertive vaginal intercourse unprotected with a person whom claimed(multiple times) to have had negative HIV testing done prior and since the encounter. At 36 days post potential exposure I took a blood test for all STDs with also a test for HIV RNA “early detection”. This was the 10 panel test from stdcheck .com with RNA early detection and the testing was done by a Quest Lab. 

From February 2024 to end of March 2024(11-12 months post exposure) I took three Oraquick rapid tests (at least one of which were while I had symptoms of illness) and all were negative. I am fairly confident I administered all of these oral tests correctly. 

So far in 2024 I have been more ill. Starting with a stomach flu, followed by a week of bettering health, then what seems to have been a strep or a bacterial infection which included an eye infection and was passed by a household family member to me. I have generally been more sick the last two months but I am bettering currently but have some various discomfort like stomach, mild cough, and a fleeting night sweat that seems to associate more with my health anxiety than anything else. 
1. Is the HIV RNA result at 36 days post exposure conclusive?
2. Should I have received PCR and RNA results on my test for a “10 Panel” with added “RNA early detection”?
3. Is the negative HIV RNA result at 36 days post exposure even more conclusive with the 3 negative oraquick results nearly a year after? 
4. Should I consider more HIV testing based on my recent health?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 months ago
Welcome to the Forum.  Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment.  Tests are called by a variety of names - it can be confusing.  The RNA "early detection" test you had is also referred to as an RNA PCR test.  Results of these tests are conclusive any time more than 11-12 days following an exposure.  Your subsequent OraQuick tests conform your initial result and add further proof that you were not infected.  Thus, in reply to your specific questions:

1. Is the HIV RNA result at 36 days post exposure conclusive?
Absolutely

2. Should I have received PCR and RNA results on my test for a “10 Panel” with added “RNA early detection”?
See above.  This is confusing wording but your early detection test was a HIV RNA PCR test

3. Is the negative HIV RNA result at 36 days post exposure even more conclusive with the 3 negative oraquick results nearly a year after? 
Yes, the RNA test is slightly more sensitive than the OraQuicks

4. Should I consider more HIV testing based on my recent health?
There is no need for further testing.

Your recent health issues are not due to HIV- your test results prove this and are almost certainly unrelated to your 2023 encounter mentioned above.  

I hope that this information is helpful.  EWH


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