[Question #5941] HIV test

72 months ago

Hi doctors I have had sex with a girl infected with HIV 2 and I became afraid of getting infected So I made analyzes like the following 4th generation after 4 and 6 weeks But I still have have HIV symptoms .

My  question is . What Is the window period for HIV 2

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

72 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.

You don't give enough information for me to judge your risk, such as details of your partner's HIV status (viral load, whether on treatment, etc) and more about the exposure (vaginal sex? condom? etc).You also don't describe what you mean by "HIV symptoms". (Our experience on this forum is that >90% of the time, peolpe who believe they have HIV symptoms in fact do not have typical symptoms of HIV infection.)

But the inportant information is that you have had two negative HIV angien-antibody (Ag/Ab, i.e. 4th generation) blood tests with negative results. The windpo period for HIV2 with these tests is 4-6 weeks (never longer than 6 weeks), and so your results are conclusive: you do not have HIV2 (or HIV1) and can stop testing and stop worrying about it.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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72 months ago

Thank you very mush for your reply

But doctor, why in some site say that HIV 2 needs 3 months to appear in the analysis Is it safe to have sex with my partner after the analysis of 6 weeks analysis of the fourth generation with the presence of symptoms

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

72 months ago

No, 6 weeks is conclusive. Some sites take conservative stances on such things, or have not caught up with newer data about testing. Also, it is impossible to have HIV symptoms with negative anbitody testing. Even if you did have HIV, the test result would be 100% proof something else is causing the symptoms. It is perfectly safe to have sex with your wife; that’s what I would do if I were in your situation.

As I said above, I would be happy to reassure you further about your symptoms if you would like to describe them.

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72 months ago

Thank you, Doctor, for the reply. The result will not change in the future and only the analysis of the fourth generation after 42 days will be enough even with the symptom.But I am still afraid because the relationship was without a condom Is my fear too much

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

72 months ago

Sorry, I can't say more than I have. My comments above are rational, science based, and intended to be reassuring. I suggest you carefully re-read my replies carefully adn that you're able to move forward without fear. I'm sorry you didn't accept my offer to evaluate your symptoms, but this is the third and therefore final reply. Best wishes.---