I had two exposures about an year ago and have gotten tested multiple times. there was a condom that broke with a csw, and also menstrual blood on condom with an attempt to penetrate but stopped. as for testing i have tested with the following:

1)alere determine antibody/antigen duo test @ 6weeks negative 2)oraquick at home oral swab @ 3 months negative 3)alere determine antibody/antigen duo test @ 11 months and a week 4)alere determine antibody/antigen duo test @ 11 months and a week 5)alere determine antibody/antigen duo test @ 11 months and 2 weeks 6)insti rapid test at 60 secs 4th gen @ 11 months and 2 weeks 7)insti rapid test at 60 secs 4th gen @ 11 months and 3 weeks 8)oraquick finger prick test @ 11months and 3 weeks 9)oraquick finger prick test @11 months and 4 weeks total of 9 tests are my tests conclusive? without a doubt negative? i am so afraid of false negatives that I took multiple tests recently having the fear of hiv. please help.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your detailed description of your test history. While any single test might be incorrect because of lab error or testing too early, that is certainly not the case for you. You have been tested 9 times at times when the results are highly reliable using different tests. It is time to accept these results, to allow yourself to believe that you were not infected with HIV and to move forward without concern. there is certainly no reason for you to test further related to your exposures about a year ago. EWH
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95 months ago

Thank you for the reply. One doctor i spoke to online, healthtap, said i should get a elisa and western blot test to be sure. Do you disagree? I have tested so many times but he says if i want to be sure, get a western blot. My anxiety went up drastically as ive been told that my tests are reassuring. Please let me know your honest opinion. Thank you.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

I do agree. The doctor you spoke with was being overly conservative. My suspicion is that he felt that it would not "hurt" to test again and while the results will not change, this sort of advice only serves to increase your anxiety and concerns (as you acknowledge), not to mention adding unnecessary costs. I am completely confident that you did not acquire HIV from whatever exposure you had nearly a year ago. EWH
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95 months ago

But according to Dr. H Hunter Hansfield, western blot test for confirmation is "outmoded", but you also recommend it? Im really lost for words on what i should do or believe. I recently took a quest diagnostics 4th generation antibody/ antigen with reflex test. And that test also argues that western blot is no longer the ideal confirmation test. it is offered on stdcheck.com. What do you say of this?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

I agree that the Western blot test is outmoded but it is still offered and if you got it, the result would be negative., proving once again (using older tests) that you were not infected. The tests you have taken supplant and replace these older tests which are still available. As I said, the doctor who recommended further testing was being overly conservative. He or she may have been out of date as well.

You need to calm yourself, control your anxiety and accept that you did not get HIV from the exposure that concerns you.

This is my third reply to your questions. I hope the information I have provided is helpful. There will be no further replies as part of this thread and it will be closed later today. Take care. EWH

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