[Question #12860] HIV

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4 months ago
Good afternoon I have been stressed and reading too much conflicting information that I decided it's time to just ask a expert.  My last sexual encounter was 3/12 PROTECTED with someone who is hiv positive ( he or I did not know at the time) we both did a oraquick 3/20 his came back positive mine negative. 3/21 did a rapid finger prick and a 4th generation test came back negative the same exact thing again 3/31 and a oraquick yesterday ( was free) negative.  I guess my question is how likely is my status going to change when I test again this month? And do condoms really help. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
4 months ago
Welcome to our Forum.  Thanks for your question.  I'll be glad to comment.  I'll be glad to comment.

At the time of your 3/12 encounter your partner had most likely only been recently infected and, as a result, likely had high levels of HIV present in his blood.  That said, using a condom dramatically reduced your risk for infection and may have eliminate it entirely.  Had the encounter been unprotected, your statistical risk of infection would have been, on average, about 1 infection in 2000 exposures.  I'm delighted to hear that your 4th generation test  on 3/21 and /31 were negative.  Your OraQuick tests duplicate this good news.  Unfortunately, different types of tests give conclusive results at different times. Your recent tests are a bit early to be conclusive.  The results of 4th generation tests will not be conclusive until on after after 4/23 and OraQuick results will not be conclusive until 2 weeks beyond that.  I would advise you to see a HIV RNA PCR test which will provide conclusive results at this time. 

I hope this information is helpful.  Your condom use is likely to have prevented infection from this exposure but I know you would like a definitive answer sooner than later.  An HIV RNA PCR test will do that.  EWH
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4 months ago
Thank you for your advice, I will definitely look into the RNA test.  I believe he was exposed 01/ 19-23.
What is the likleyhood hood of my results changing from negative to positive im the next month? I hear so much conflicted information. The clinic told me the 4th generation test would cover the day I was exposed but what you're saying makes sense. Just so much aniexty.


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Edward W. Hook M.D.
4 months ago
What you were told in the clinic was incorrect.  There are no day-by-data data on how quickly tests become positive.  The numbers are not precise however your 3/31 4th generation test would detect around 75% of infections acquired 3 weeks earlier.  At 4 weeks (April 9) a 4th generation test would detect over 98% of recent infections.

An HIV RNA PCR test is conclusive any time more than 11 days after exposure.

Hope this helps.  You have one follow up remaining.  EWH
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