Question: Hi, I've a concern regarding my last year's risky unprotected vaginal exposure (condom broke) with a female csw. I've tested negative for HIV at the intervals of 3 months and 6 months from the day of exposure, using 4th generation Hiv Duo test. However, with the completion of one year of this event, all my worries are coming back. Should I be testing again at the 1 year mark to conclude that I'm not at risk OR my previous tests are enough to prove that? The "late seroconversion" term really scares me.

Hello Doctor, Thank you for the answer. I need your final advice, as I'm trying my best to put this behind me. I'll be going for the test tomorrow and will get the result in few days. Can you please tell me about the guidelines again for hiv window period with 4th generation test. I was very confident after I received my 6 months negative and had moved on. But may be it is the memories of the previous year which have brought back the fear again. Sorry for bothering you again with this question.

Hello Doctor! I tested today and my result is Negative. I'm happy I did the test. Just one stupid thing happened from my side. I didn't check whether the nurse was using a new needle to take my test. I jist faintly recall her holding the syringe. I know that according to protocol they are supposed to use a new needle every time. I got it done from a reputed lab - metropolis. I just hope that this should not be a problem.

Thank you Doctor. I just felt worried again yesterday. So today I went to the lab and met the nurse who did my blood collection. She explained me the whole process and told me that a new needle is used each time, the used one is discarded immediately. She also remembered me walking in. One more thing she said is she remembered my face as I had gone there 6 and 9 months back. So she didn't feel it necessary to show me complete preparation (opening the seal and inserting the back portion of the needle in the cylinder). Which means I was right on my part to not have seen her open the seal of the new needle. She however assured me that a new needle was used. I will try my best to get over this. I know that I'm thinking too much. I guess it just has to do with the expectation that I had. I expected this day to end my baggage of worries which I have been carrying with me since last one year. Wanted to end it on a good note and move on. I had no idea that something like this would bring in more worry than before. It will take me a while to get over this fear. Please share your final thoughts doctor, before I close this discussion. I need some motivation to get back to my normal self.

Should I take PeP, considering the worst case that she reused the old syringe and needle of previous vistor by mistake?

Hello Doctor! I'm trying my best to forget this situation and starting to think positively. I also took help from a therapist. Just want you to answer few questions before I close this discussion.
1. Is it necessary for a patient to check whether the needle was completely sealed before use, especially in a reputed lab?
2. Knowing my situation, do you think I should test after 3 months?
3. Can I have unprotected sex with my wife without having the fear of infecting her in anyway?
4. Have you ever come across any case where a person got infected due to accidental reuse of needle?
Sorry for the long list of questions. I just need some reassurance before I move on from this.