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When Should HIV Test Be Done After An Exposure?
Question: I am a male who encountered a sexual adventure with another male whose HIV status is unknown (although he claimed to be negative). We had oral sex twice and he inserted the tip of his penis for few seconds inside my rectum and withdrew immediately. However, 3 weeks later, I started experiencing symptoms, such as: fever, muscle soreness in the arms, cold legs, weakness, fatigue, insomnia and night sweats including disturbing dreams, lack of appetite, loose stool and upset stomach and lately a sinus infection with postnasal drip, sore throat, stuffy nose, white tongue and allergies. How long should I continue waiting before getting tested? It's been 7 weeks and I am really nervous and experiencing panic attacks and lots of anxiety.
Brief Answer:
You can get tested now!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I understand how nerve wrenching it is when it comes to waiting to get tested for HIV. 7 weeks is enough time after exposure to get tested fro HIV. You could have done this earlier using a PCR test that looks for the virus and not antibodies. Right now, either of the tests would be sensitive enough at this time to provide reliable and trusted results.
I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Keep me updated with the outcome of your test and let me know if you need any help in the period leading up to this test or thereafter.
You can get tested now!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I understand how nerve wrenching it is when it comes to waiting to get tested for HIV. 7 weeks is enough time after exposure to get tested fro HIV. You could have done this earlier using a PCR test that looks for the virus and not antibodies. Right now, either of the tests would be sensitive enough at this time to provide reliable and trusted results.
I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Keep me updated with the outcome of your test and let me know if you need any help in the period leading up to this test or thereafter.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would you consider my risk to be high or low? What are the chances that I caught an STD based on my encounter?
Brief Answer:
High risk!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Every encounter with someone who is not known to be disease free is considered to have it until proven otherwise. This means that you were exposed and the chances of getting an STI from this is real. Whether you got infected or not can only be determined after a careful clinical evaluation and maybe testing.
Anal sex is more likely to favor disease transmission for several different reasons.
One thing remains certain, we cannot undo what has happened. We shall continue to work with you to evaluate if you got any disease from this encounter, manage all properly and prevent future exposures.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more help if required.
High risk!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Every encounter with someone who is not known to be disease free is considered to have it until proven otherwise. This means that you were exposed and the chances of getting an STI from this is real. Whether you got infected or not can only be determined after a careful clinical evaluation and maybe testing.
Anal sex is more likely to favor disease transmission for several different reasons.
One thing remains certain, we cannot undo what has happened. We shall continue to work with you to evaluate if you got any disease from this encounter, manage all properly and prevent future exposures.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more help if required.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Lastly, would a 3 month test be conclusive? Or would I have to test again in 6 months?
Brief Answer:
Would be informative enough1
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
A 3montsh test would be informative enough and may be conclusive. However, if there are any doubts, a second test at a later date may be warranted just to make sure all is sorted out and all details understood. This would only be applicable if the test is negative and doubts about your status exist. A positive test would be conclusive.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks and feel free to keep the discussion going if need be.
Would be informative enough1
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
A 3montsh test would be informative enough and may be conclusive. However, if there are any doubts, a second test at a later date may be warranted just to make sure all is sorted out and all details understood. This would only be applicable if the test is negative and doubts about your status exist. A positive test would be conclusive.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks and feel free to keep the discussion going if need be.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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