[Question #8613] Conclusiveness

41 months ago

Hello Dr Hunt & Dr Hook,

I am seeking your advice in terms of HIV test conclusiveness as I am rather confused with the testing window and conclusiveness. I had two sexual encounters in late 2020 both being unprotected fellatio and protected vaginal sex lasting not more than 5-10mins. I was taken back by a personal loss and had a little too much to drink before both encounters (the encounters are few days apart). Both women (local asian women not of any African origin) are not CSW and i met them via online dating sites but unsure of their HIV stats.

I then went ahead and took the following tests (both drawn from vein and sent to lab):

1) Hiv 1 & 2 Ab/ag - Day 31

2) Hiv 1&2 Ab/ag - Day 54 (7.5 weeks)

I referred to your advice here and assumed that test (2) is conclusive but recently i have the following questions

1) Is the test taken on day 54 conclusive for both Hiv 1 & hiv 2? As i see mixed window of 6 and 8 weeks for conclusiveness. Is 2 days short of 8 week really going to make it inconclusive for hiv-2?

2) Can i safely move on from this and live a happy life? (i am expecting a child with my wife)

during this time i did not have much symptom other then some body aches etc.

Appreciate your advice so can calm my mind down.

41 months ago

apologies forgot to mention its negative result for both tests.

41 months ago

Terribly sorry i wanted to add that i submitted for the test on day 51/52 and the test result was out on day 54. Not sure if that makes a big difference here considering the 6 week mark

Edward W. Hook M.D.

41 months ago

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment. Let me start by telling you that the risks associated with the exposures you describe are virtually zero. There are no instances in which anyone has been proven to acquire HIV from receipt of oral sex. In addition, as long as the condom is worn throughout the sexual encounter, condom protected sex is also Safe, no risk sex as long as it does not break. When you add these facts to the fact that most people do not have HIV, your risk from the exposures you describe was virtually zero and it is debatable whether or not you even needed testing although certainly I agree that the assurance testing provides is a good thing.

HIV-2 is really not much of a consideration unless your sex partner was from India or west Africa. There are fewer than 50 cases of HIV-2 Diagnosed in the United States each year. With this background let’s specifically address your questions:

1. The results of your test for HIV-1 are absolutely conclusive and need not be repeated. Because the test for HIV-2 is an antibody only test rather than a combination antigen/antibody test, the period of time for these results to be conclusive is generally considered to be eight weeks (56 days). As I mentioned however in North America at least HIV-2 is really almost a non-consideration and thus your 51 day result is, to my way of thinking, conclusive although it was only taken a few days short of eight weeks. At 51 days will over 95% of persons who required HIV to would’ve had a positive test.

2. My advice is for you to put any concerns that you might have a side and move on without further concerns. Were are, you I see no need for further testing.

I hope this perspective and information is helpful. If any parties unclear, please don’t hesitate to use your up to two follow-ups for clarification. EWH

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41 months ago

Thank you for the reply Dr Hook, however i just have one area to clarify.

1) Both women that i had contact with are from south east Asia (where i am based) and are not from(india / west Africa) but if we take out the stats and rely on the test alone (plus the that the condoms didnt break), can i accept my day 51 test as conclusive for Hiv-2 as I am only a few days short from the 8 week mark? And any chance that if I retake the test it would turn positive? I read on your forum that there has never been a case of positive after 6 week negative.

I really hope to move on from this without retesting at this stage as its been over a year and i took the general 6 weeks advise instead of 8 weeks.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

41 months ago

Thanks for the additional information. Yes, even if we focus on the test alone, you can be confident in your results. There are still no instances that I have seen where a test negative at 6 weeks became positive at week 8. I encourage you to move forward without concern. EWH---

41 months ago

Thank you for the confirmation Dr Hook and for your kind advice, you may close this thread as I plan to completely forget about this and move on with my life.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

41 months ago

Will do. Take care. EWH ---