[Question #13872] Hiv 1-2 risk

3 days ago

Hello doctor,

I asked this question before:

I had intercourse with a Russian escort 49 days ago, unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex.

Then I had 4th generation tests on days 12-14-16-18-20-25-26-32-35-39-41-43-46, and also HIV RNA PCR tests on days 21 and 47 (using the GeneXpert Dx system and Xpert HIV-1 VL kit). I've dismissed HIV 1 from my mind, but I'm starting to fear HIV 2. Do I need to get tested for HIV 2 later?

3 days ago

In the old answers, some questions were answered as 6 weeks, some were answered as 8 weeks, I was confused

3 days ago

I couldn't find clear information online; general forums say it's very rare, but there is still a risk.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

3 days ago

Welcome back to the Forum although I’m not sure why you returned with these repetitive questions. I’ve already told you that your results from the virtually no risk encounter you have described were conclusive and do not need to be repeated. That answer will not change with repetition. This is true both in terms of HIV-1 Abd HIV-2. Older responses suggesting that tests are not conclusive until after 8 weeks are out dated. EWH---

3 days ago

Did I understand correctly, doctor? Did you mean 8 weeks for HIV-2?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

2 days ago

You misunderstand. You results are CONCLUSIVE for both HIV-1 and HIV-2, you DO NOT need further testing. EWH---

2 days ago

Doctor, thank you so much for your patient answers... I'm asking because I don't know, isn't the only difference between 4th generation and 3rd generation tests the antigen level? Doesn't the test time increase because HIV-2 doesn't test for antigens?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

2 days ago

I'm sorry your unwarranted anxiety prevents you from accepting the information I have provided. My assessment will not change- you can continue to test with any test you wish as many times that you like- the answers and results are not going to change.

Many 4th generation tests now contain HIV-2 antigen and their sensitivity for antibody detection has evolved to be better than ever.. More importantly, antibody production typically begins about two weeks after infection and some 4th generation tests now contain HIV-2 antigen. In addition, HIV-2 is far rarer than HIV-1, even in West Africa where the infection is most common and is vanishingly rare in the Americas and Western Europe. Your results are conclusive and should be believed.

We provide up to 3 response to each client and this is my 3rd response. The thread will be closed shortly. You need to move on. EWH

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