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Is Negative HIV RNA Test After 7 Weeks Of Sexual Exposure Conclusive?
Question: Please help I'm completely in full stress and axienty mode. I made a mistake and had unprotected sex with a female who claims to be completely clean of all stds. I got tested 4 weeks after exposure using a 3rd generation test and a panel std test and everything came back negative. I got very paranoid and paid for some additional test at 7 weeks and got the HIV RNA test and HIV combo test. They both came back negative but im still stressed out and feel like I'm having symptoms of something. I was told the RNA test is 99% accurate and conclusive after 28 days. The combo test is 97% to 99% and conclusive at 12 weeks. Can someone please help I'm getting married in a weeks and i am complete scared for me and her over this stupid mistake?
Brief Answer:
HIV 1 infection ruled out.Repeat test after 12 weeks to rule out HIV 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HIV RNA PCR Test is highly reliable and became conclusive by 4 weeks. So your negative RNA PCR HIV test done at 7 weeks ruled out HIV 1 infection beyond any doubt. RNA PCR usually detects only HIV 1 antigen only unless it is specified also for HIV 2. But HIV 1 Infection is prevalent to the extent of 99.5% all over the world except in certain pockets of XXXXXXX where it is little more up to 20-25%. HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5% only.
HIV COMBO test has also two parts (Antigen and Antibody test). Here also negative test ruled out only the HIV 1 infection as the Antigen part detects only HIV 1 infection whereas the antibody part can be able to rule out both HIV 1 and 2,but it becomes conclusive only after the completion of window period (12 weeks).
Similarly STD panel at 4 weeks also almost reliable but more conclusive by 6 weeks.
But your symptoms were not necessarily due to HIV and could be due to common infections or might be due to your anxiety.
Dr S.Murugan
HIV 1 infection ruled out.Repeat test after 12 weeks to rule out HIV 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HIV RNA PCR Test is highly reliable and became conclusive by 4 weeks. So your negative RNA PCR HIV test done at 7 weeks ruled out HIV 1 infection beyond any doubt. RNA PCR usually detects only HIV 1 antigen only unless it is specified also for HIV 2. But HIV 1 Infection is prevalent to the extent of 99.5% all over the world except in certain pockets of XXXXXXX where it is little more up to 20-25%. HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5% only.
HIV COMBO test has also two parts (Antigen and Antibody test). Here also negative test ruled out only the HIV 1 infection as the Antigen part detects only HIV 1 infection whereas the antibody part can be able to rule out both HIV 1 and 2,but it becomes conclusive only after the completion of window period (12 weeks).
Similarly STD panel at 4 weeks also almost reliable but more conclusive by 6 weeks.
But your symptoms were not necessarily due to HIV and could be due to common infections or might be due to your anxiety.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I thought HIV 2 mostly occurred in west XXXXXXX and not really in the US. What are the odds that i have hiv 2?
Brief Answer:
Everywhere in world except in some parts of XXXXXXX HIV 2 is rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In XXXXXXX HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5%. In U.S. it is found only with the migrants from XXXXXXX countries and incidence is very low. So you are unlikely to have HIV 2 infection.
The testing is just for a completion sake.
Dr S.Murugan
Everywhere in world except in some parts of XXXXXXX HIV 2 is rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In XXXXXXX HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5%. In U.S. it is found only with the migrants from XXXXXXX countries and incidence is very low. So you are unlikely to have HIV 2 infection.
The testing is just for a completion sake.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I am getting married in about a month. Do I pose a serious threat to my partner? She wanst to have kids right away and I am concerned for her well being. I make 3 month since the mistake on May 2nd what are the odds that after all those tests that i took 2 weeks ago the results change with no other exposure since that reckless night ?
Brief Answer:
your would-be has negligible risk for HIV after marriage
Detailed Answer:
Hi Welcome back
As we have discussed already, HIV 1 had been ruled out for you and the probability of HIV 2 infection is unlikely. So your would-be also would remain safe after marriage. You can have sex with her without any reservations.
After seeing the negative result of HIV on May 2nd you can have sex and prepare to receive your child as well.
Dr S Murugan
your would-be has negligible risk for HIV after marriage
Detailed Answer:
Hi Welcome back
As we have discussed already, HIV 1 had been ruled out for you and the probability of HIV 2 infection is unlikely. So your would-be also would remain safe after marriage. You can have sex with her without any reservations.
After seeing the negative result of HIV on May 2nd you can have sex and prepare to receive your child as well.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
So the symptoms that I'm having is mostly do to anxiety and stress related? I've been having Rashes on my back calf muscles and forearms that literally appear and quickly disappear and only in those places. The don't last long at all. When I first went to my doctor about these issues week I was given gonorrhea and chlamydia medication just in case but I don't think rashes are related to that and more about stress. The RNA and Combo test 100% rules out HIV 1 at 7weeks? I just want to make sure and retest for HIV 2 on May 2nd. Should I be concerned about thing else in your opinion or can I relax a little bit and not let the stress and fear get to me? I have really appreciated all your help and thank you very much.
Brief Answer:
free from HIV1 and 2 beyond any doubt
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Both negative RNA PCR and Combo tests ruled out HIV 1 infection totally. So your symptoms are likely to be due to anxiety. Nothing to worry. You can relax.
Dr S Murugan
free from HIV1 and 2 beyond any doubt
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Both negative RNA PCR and Combo tests ruled out HIV 1 infection totally. So your symptoms are likely to be due to anxiety. Nothing to worry. You can relax.
Dr S Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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