I had an unprotected (and unwanted) sexual exposure to a male in november 2020, so more than a year ago. I am female by the way and live in western europe.

It took me a lot of time to process what happened back then, but i got professional help. I also got tested for hiv, in march 2022, so this year. I read a lot of other posts on this site already, a lot of them mention the ag/ab test. My doctor ordered for me a hiv antibody-only test. I don't know which technique (Elisa,cmia, eclia,..) they used, i only know it was a hiv antibody-only test.

My question is the following: the result of my hiv antibody-only test was negative. The lab report also mentioned a high level of CRP. It didn't mention anything else, just the negative hiv result and a high level of CRP. My doctor asked if i was sick. I wasn't sick that i know of . I am worried that maybe i had covid-19/ SARS-CoV-2 virus (and didn't know about it, without symptoms) while i got tested for hiv with the hiv antibody-only test. I do not know which variant of SARS-CoV-2/covid19 was the dominant one at that time in my country, i don't know if that matters. I remember taking a SARS-CoV-2 antigen self test at home, before i went to the doctor to have the hiv test, and the SARS-CoV-2 antigen self test was negative. But i know these SARS-CoV-2 antigen self tests are not always reliable.

My questions:

1) is my hiv antibody-only test result completely reliable?

2) do i have to take another hiv test?

3) can i move on with my life knowing that i am hiv negative? 

Thank you alot in advance

I'm sorry to hear of your traumatic experience. But for sure you can stop worrying about HIV; your negative test result is conclusive and completely reliable. The only reason for AgAb testing, rather than HIV antibody testing, is timing:  the AgAb test becomes positive sooner, and so is preferred when being tested soon after a high risk exposure -- with conclusive results after 6 weeks, versus 8 weeks for the standalone Ab tests. Beyond 8 weeks, there is no difference in test performance or reliability. Having systemic inflammation of some sort -- as indicated by your elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level -- does not interfere with HIV antibody test timing or reliability. (It's beyond the scope of this forum to speculate about the cause of your elevated CRP. Indeed, COVID-19 could do it, but so can any number of other infections and non-infectious inflammatory processes. If you continue to feel well, most likely nothing serious is wrong and your CRP probably will return to normal. Beyond that, you'll need to check back with your doctor.)

Those comments pretty well cover your specific questions, but to assure no misunderstanding:

1) Yes. Your test results is completely reliable proof you do not have HIV, assuming no more recent exposures you have not mentioned.

2) There is no need for additional HIV testing.

3) From an HIV standpoint, you certainly can move on without worry. I hope your recovery from the trauma of the event and other aspects also is going smoothly. I'll also add that I hope you were tested for STIs other than HIV. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns along those lines. Best wishes and good luck!

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

HHH, MD

I read in a lot of your previous posts that no known medical conditions, infections or viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 virus or covid-19 disease, have any effect on reliability or timing of the standard HIV blood tests. Does this also apply to my hiv antibody-only test? I'm still worried that i had (without knowing it) SARS-CoV-2 virus/covid19, and that that would somehow interfere with the reliability of my negative hiv antibody test result. Does having the SARS-CoV-2 virus/covid-19 (any variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus) without symptoms, while getting tested for hiv with an hiv antibody test, interfere with the reliability of my negative hiv ab test result?

I really want to move on and not get tested again for hiv.

Thank you for your patience and understanding

Do your best to understand, accept and believe these truths. If you continue to have doubts, it is something to discuss with your PTSD counselor. It really isn't normal to have such doubts after the repeated, reasoned, science-based advice you have had -- probably from your own doctors as well as this forum. Good luck with it.

I want to apologise. I am well aware of the fact that my previous post was anxiety driven. I'm sorry for that.

I am an anxious person in general. On my blood work lab report from march 2022 it said: 

- hiv antibody-only test: negative

- high level of CRP (it said a number, can't remember it now)

The WBC count test and all the rest didn't work. That's something that also made me anxious. 

i am going to move on with my life and there is no need to get another hiv test. I know that i did not get hiv from the exposure i talked about. is that correct and do you agree?

Thanks a lot dr Handsfield, i really appreciate it.

Best wishes and stay safe.