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How Accurate Is The HIV RNA Test?

Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015

Question: Hi Doctor I had protected sex with a sex worker on august 28th, The condom seemed intact after the act as my fluids stayed in it, But I'm scared of what if it had a hole or something I'm scared that I contracted hiv, I took an hiv rna qualitative test 13 days post exposure from labcorp and it came back negative but on saturday 15 days post exposure I got a rash on my arm and today 20 days post exposure The rash is going away but Now today I have 2 small blisters inside my mouth on my lips, I dont have any other symptoms but I'm so scared, what is the accuracy of the test I took? I dont remember having any other rashes before in my life I'm 20 from the united states, is this test accurate here?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer...there is no need to worry because you are not having any HIV
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
After reading your query I can say that your apprehensions are misplaced.
HIV RNA test Is the most sensitive and most accurate HIV early detection test available in market. While other HIV tests measures antibodies,HIV RNA test detects HIV virus in itself. This test done around 10-14 days( post exposure ) ,as you have done,gives the fastest and most accurate result.
As far as rashes on body and blisters in mouth are concerned,they are not related to HIV.
Just relax and forget everything.
I can say with confidence that you are HIV free.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (41 minutes later)

Thnks Doctor I'm worried because I never had a rash before in my life, and I have it now after I had sex with a prostitute.. I will never do it again because I have been very stressed and worried from this, The rash looks a little bit red with bumps slightly raised and some of them have red dots in them. Is it possible to get an hiv rash without other symptoms? I got this rash 2 or 3 days after I took the test, do I need to take other tests? And what tests? I see some people saying this test is not very reliable, why? have you ever seen this test fail and patients turning positive later on? What do you think might be causing this rash? I developed pain on my muscle in my leg 4 days after exposure also but that does worry me as much as this rash, today has been 21 days post exposure

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Hello,
These rashes appear to be allergic.You see you are having excess of anxiety which is troubling you.
In case you don't feel satisfied with my reply,then you can consult a HIV specialist to have your doubts cleared.
I again say that you are not having HIV and there is no need for any other test.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (17 hours later)

I feel satisfied with the answer doctor thankyou, today when I woke up my muscles by my neck hurt, do you think this could be due to stress? Should I take the Hiv duo test for peace of mind doctor or is it enough with this test like you said?

If I start having pain in other muscles do you think it could be related to hiv or stress?

Also I forgot to mention that after I took the condom off I put hand sanitizer (hand soap) in my penis , would that have made it easier for the virus to get in me or you think it didnt do anything?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Hello,
No. It wouldn't have done anything to you. You are completely safe.
Thanks

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar