Hello, I have engaged in unprotected anal and vaginal sex 3 months ago. I have been tested 4 times for HIV, the last one is 12 weeks later the encounter. All results were negative. Now some web-sites argue that simultaneous infection of HIV and HCV might delay the seroconversion of HIV so one needs to be tested at 6 months. However, some say there is no relation between HCV and HIV, so 3 months is more than enough for HIV.
I have not been tested for HCV and now I am so scared that the 3 months for HIV is not sufficient.
Please, may I kindly ask you to give me an explanation with reasons instead of no/yes answer as I need to clarify this issue which is killing me.
Thank you indeed
Insomnia
Hi Insomnia,
Thank you for using the AIDS Vancouver Helpline as your source for HIV/AIDS related information. I hope that this information will clear up some things for you.
While there are differences when dealing with an HCV and HIV co-infection, the window period for HIV detection should not change unless you are undergoing other anti-retroviral treatments.
So, if you have Hepatitis C (HCV), and are later exposed to HIV, the window period for HIV testing (4-12 weeks) will not change. Your body will still produce antibodies to try and fight the HIV infection, even if you were infected with other STIs as well as HCV at the same time. However, if you are currently undergoing treatment for HCV, this may delay the window period, and testing is recommended until 6 months for HIV as a precaution. That said, even in this case, negative results at 12 weeks (3 months) are very unlikely to change. In your case, as long as you are not currently undergoing this treatment, you can take your negative HIV test results as conclusive.
As far as HCV goes, having advanced, untreated HIV can sometimes lead to false negative results in Hepatitis C antibody tests because the immune suppression caused by HIV reduces the body's ability to produce antibodies. More tests may be required if this is the case. If you do not have advanced, untreated HIV, then the window period for HCV testing is 2-4 months after exposure. It is often recommended that you wait 26 weeks to be tested for HCV. To read more accurate information on HCV-HIV co-infection please check out: http://www.hepcinfo.ca/en/detail/what-hepatitis-c/co-infection-hiv
It may also be helpful to note that HCV is rarely transmitted through sexual contact because HCV transmission requires blood to blood contact. HCV is not transmitted via sexual fluids. So, it is quite rare that HCV is contracted from the activities you described. More common STIs from unprotected vaginal or anal sex include Herpes (HSV), Genital Warts (HPV), Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. If you have not been tested for other STIs, it might be a good idea to do so at this time.
If you would like any additional information please let us know. Or if you would like to call us and speak to someone at the Helpline, you can do so anonymously and confidentially by calling 604-696-4666, Monday to Friday between 9am-4pm.
Cheers,
Cameron
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
E-mail: helpline@aidsvancouver.org
Phone (Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666
Web: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline
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