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AIDS Vancouver

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Testing results accuracy?

Original Post Date: 
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Question: 

Hi,
i was involved in a high risk exposure (unprotected oral and unprotected vaginal sex) with a prostitute on October 9th 2011. I was also involved in another high risk exposure (unprotected oral and unprotected vaginal sex) with another prostitute on October 12th, 2011.I got my HIV chemiluminscense antibody test on 90th day (jan 10th, 2012) post the 2nd exposure which turned out to be negative.
My question is -
1)Will these succesive high risk exposures (which have occured 2 days after one another) affect / increase my window period beyond 90 days and do I need further testing?? Please note my hiv antibody test was done on the 90th day post my second exposure.
I am really tensed about the conclusivness about my test and will appreciate a response from you.

Answer: 

Hi there and thanks for using the AIDS Vancouver online helpline as your source of HIV/AIDS related information.

It's great to hear that you are getting tested & staying informed about your sexual health! Provided that you have not had any further exposures in the interim, having 2 successive potential exposures will not affect the window period for testing. As such, you can view your negative result, taken 90 days after the last possible exposure, as conclusive for no current HIV infection. Also, please note that all unprotected sexual activity is a high risk for HIV transmission, and not just that with a sex worker, especially given that sex workers may be more conscious about their sexual health (use protection and test more frequently) than a layperson. Moreover, if you have not done so already, it may be a good idea to get tested for other STIs (such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea) as they are often much easier to pass from person to person from a one-time encounter than HIV.

So, again, yes your tests are conclusive at 90 days post your most recent high risk exposure. No further testing for HIV is required for any sexual activities that occurred more than 12 weeks ago.

I hope this helped to answer you question, and please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.

Cheers,
Jonathan

AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
helpline@aidsvancouver.org
(Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666
www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline

Comments

Submitted by Micheal (not verified) on

Thanks Jonathan!
I havent had any other risky (neither high risk nor low risk activities) exposures ever in my life till today than the above 2 mentioned ones. So am I safe? Do i need further testing?? Please answer

helpline2's picture
Submitted by helpline2 on

Hi there,

Given that you haven't had any subsequent risky exposures and your test at 90 days post exposure was HIV negative you can be confident in your results.  You should not need any additional testing regarding those two exposures.  I hope this puts your mind at ease.

Cheers,
Cameron
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
e: helpline@aidsvancouver.org
p: (Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666
w: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline

Submitted by Micheal (not verified) on

Thanks Cameron.
So the information that 2 succesive high risk HIV exposures that occur 2 days after one another increasing the formation of HIV antibodies beyond 90 days post exposure is not a true and a reliable source of info right? I read this piece of information on the internet and have been worried since then.
Please note I have a normal healthy immune system and havent had any exposures post the above 2 mentioned ones that I spoke about in the first question which was answered by Jonathan. I also got my HIV antibody test done on the 90th day post the second exposure which turned out to be negative.

Helpline1's picture
Submitted by Helpline1 on

 

Hi there and thank-you for again using the AIDS Vancouver Helpline as your resource for HIV/AIDS related information.

Two successive high risk exposures occurring 2 days after each other absolutely does not increase the formation of HIV antibodies beyond the 90-day post-exposure.

All HIV detection testing is conclusive after 84 days (or 12 weeks or 3 months).  If, as you stated, you have not exposed yourself to any high risk activity in the last 12 weeks, you can be assured the results of your 90-day post-exposure testing is conclusive.

I trust this has addressed your concern, however if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

Stay safe and healthy!

Jon,

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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