Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
How Does PCR Test Work After Unprotected Sex?
hi had a sex with massage parlour girl and i got scared and i took her to the near by nursing home after 7 days of my exposure ans her blood test was negative PCRand test used was card test..and a got tensed and went For PCR test on the 10th of the exposure and the report was negative so am confussed .i heard that PCR technique will find the virus after 5 days of potential exposure so plz suggest me something about PCR
Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
HIV DNA PCR can detect the presence of HIV as early as 1 week, if the individual got infected. But in some the antigen appear in circulation with a delay to be detected in the adequate concentration. So the test becomes more conclusive after 3-4 weeks rather than the result with 10 days. But as that girl also showed a Negative HIV PCR, your test can be taken more reliable.
But most often these PCR tests detect or rule out only HIV 1 infection and not the HIV 2 infection. At the same time HIV 1 infection is more common (99%) than with HIV 2 infection throughout the world except in Africa.
Dr S.Murugan
Welcome to HCM.
HIV DNA PCR can detect the presence of HIV as early as 1 week, if the individual got infected. But in some the antigen appear in circulation with a delay to be detected in the adequate concentration. So the test becomes more conclusive after 3-4 weeks rather than the result with 10 days. But as that girl also showed a Negative HIV PCR, your test can be taken more reliable.
But most often these PCR tests detect or rule out only HIV 1 infection and not the HIV 2 infection. At the same time HIV 1 infection is more common (99%) than with HIV 2 infection throughout the world except in Africa.
Dr S.Murugan
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....