[Question #1299] HIV Scare
97 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
97 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll start by congratulating you on your commitment to safe sex and acknowledgement of the fact that when used properly condoms break about 1% of the time. Please don't let your prior condom failure keep you form using them in the future. Condoms remain the best method for prevention of STI acquisition when exposed to an infected partner.
As far as your HIV test results. I can confidently and emphatically inform you that you were not infected by HIV at the time of your 4/24 condom failure. Fourth generation HIV tests are definitive at any time more than 4 weeks after an exposure. Unfortunately some very conservative governmentally funded sites continue to state that results are not conclusive until 3 or rarely, even 6 months after an exposure but this is clearly overly conservative based on many, many carefully conducted studies from around the world. Sadly, when people mention these conservative guidelines they fail to appreciate the harm and anxiety they provoke by keeping people worried for longer than is needed.
You are clear. Believe your tests. There is no need for further testing of any sort related to the 4/24 exposure you have mentioned. I hope my comments are helpful. EWH
97 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
97 months ago
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97 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
97 months ago
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No change in my assessment or advice. Believe your test results.
This will end this thread. Take care. EWH