My RNA tests (through LabCorp) at 9 days and 13 days post-exposure were negative.

My 4th gen duo tests (also LabCorp) at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, and 8 weeks were all negative.

There are 4 more weeks to go until the 12 week mark which all bodies deem to be conclusive, but I have also seen several experts and organizations use 6 or 8 weeks as conclusive. I want to believe that my tests are conclusive at this point but the 12 week conclusive mark is still worrying me as to the possibilities of results changing in the next 4 weeks. I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions:

1. Would you consider an 8 week 4th gen test to be conclusive?

2. Have you ever seen an 8 week test result change later?

3. Is there any chance the p24 antigen would not have been detectable as early as 4 weeks or as late as 8 weeks?

4. Any chance antibodies are not produced by 8 weeks?

4. Any other assurances you could provide?

Thank you.

 

Welcome to the Forum. The exposure you describe was, statistically low risk for HIV even though you may have had a condom malfunction.  I say this becasue most CSWs do not have HIV and, even if your partner had HIV, the risk of acquiring HIV from a single unprotected exposure is less than 1 infection per 2000 exposures.  Since the exposure you have repeatedly proven that you did not acuire HIV since both your RNA PCR test and all of your 4th generation tests obtained more than 6 weeks after exposure are definitive.  There is no reason for continuing concern and certainly no need for continued testing.  In answer to your specific questions:

1. Why is 12 weeks still regarded as conclusive by the major bodies?

2. I have read about late seroconverters. Would an 8 week test cover this possibility?

3. In what sort of instances have you seen late seroconversion?

1. Why is 12 weeks still regarded as conclusive by the major bodies?

It is not.  CDC publications now acknowledge that combination HIV antigen/antibody tests provide defintive results at 6 weeks.  In some instances, the manufacturer's package inserts, which must be approved by the FDA, list the 12 week time point for definitive results but this is the result of the way their studies to support FDA approval were designed and conducted, not the true performance of the test.

2. I have read about late seroconverters. Would an 8 week test cover this possibility?

Yes.  If you are reading about late seroconverters you are getting it on the internet where this myth of late seroconverters persists despite that FACT that there is no scientific proof that such persons exist unless they have taken anti-HIV therapy at around the time they acquired infection.  I would urge you not to believe much of what is on the internet.

3. In what sort of instances have you seen late seroconversion?

See above.  Late seroconversion is an internet-fueled myth which do not exist.  EWH