[Question #8467] HIV testing at 41 days

44 months ago

Hi there,

Sorry to ask a second question so soon, but I should’ve saved my responses from question 4818.

Anyhow, I did a lab based blood test HIV 4th generation ab/ag test from Labcorp at day 37 and again at day 41 after my last sexual exposure. (Protected sex with condom with a cut in between my legs) we used non-latex Skyn condoms.

1) Both tests were negative. How conclusive are those results at day 37 and 41?? I ask bc I thought I read Day 45 was conclusive?

2) Does me having body aches, possible swollen lymph nodes in neck or a 99.1 fever raise any concerns over the last couple days?

Again I know I asked too soon but I’m beginning a period of celibacy.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

44 months ago

I'm also sorry to see you back. As discussed last time, for all practical purposes you had a zero risk exposure and didn't need HIV testing at all. If you have any doubt about it, please re-read all of your previous thread.

Yes 45 days is officially conclusive for the AgAb (4th generation) HIV tests. On this forum we round that to 6 weeks (42 days). There is no signficant difference over those 3 days; or 4 days compared with your 41 day test. The combination of the near-zero exposure risk plus your over-tested negative results prove 100% you do not have HIV. However, if you feel you must have a test result that by itself is conclusive, without considering your exposure risk, then you'll need one more test at 42 days (or if you wish, 45 days) after exposure.

Even if you were to have HIV, your negative test results prove your symptoms are not due to HIV. It isn't possible to have HIV symptoms and a negative HIV antibody test. Anyway, your symptoms dont' ssound abnormla: 99.1 isn't a fever. (Everybody's body temperature varies over the course of the day, up to at least 99.5. 99.1 is entirely normal.)

HHH, MD

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43 months ago

1) Thanks Dr, I followed your advice and got tested at day 45. It was negative. So that means it’s conclusive even if I developed a sore throat and body aches at day 46 and beyond?

2) is being tested for syphilis at 6 weeks also conclusive? It was negative as well. You mentioned for HIV tests you can’t have a negative test and symptoms. Is that true for syphilis? Can you have a chancre sore and test negative? Just curious.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

43 months ago

1) Well, testing at 45 days wasn't actually my advice -- just an option for you to consider! Anyway, I'm glad to hear the result was negative, as expected. And your next question provides the answer to your current comment about stymptoms ("you can't have a negative test and symptoms").

2) Syphilis testing is generally considered conclusive at 6 weeks, although precise data don't exist and some experts think it may take up to 10-12 weeks in some cases. However, as for HIV, the combination of little risk, no symptoms, and negative test at 6 weeks together amount to 100% certainty you don't have it.

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