Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Negative OraQuick Test Result After 3 Weeks Of Exposure Conclusive?
Question: Good evening, Doctor
I had been in an exclusive relationship with someone I met in Denmark while I was studying abroad. He came to visit me in the US 3 weeks ago. We were having protected vaginal sex when the condom broke. I realized we had never talked about STDs or anything because we had been using condoms. When I asked about his HIV status, he said that he tested negative in December, but he had 2 unprotected vaginal intercourse incidents after that, before he met me. I have horrible anxiety, so I began to panic. He said I needed to relax because HIV rates in Denmark are low and that he was confident he was not affected by the virus. After having a mental breakdown, he agreed to do an Oraquick Oral swab. The results were negative. I have been having trouble trusting these results because I left him at home while I ran to CVS to buy the test. He said he did not eat or drink while I was gone and that it had definitely been at least 30 minutes since he had anything to eat/drink. 3 weeks after the incident I am still paranoid. He is back in Denmark now, and our relationship has ended in part because of my horrific anxiety. I have been begging him to take a blood test at a clinic. He said he would do so soon, but I do not know when that will be.
Maybe I am being ridiculous about this whole thing. It has gotten to the point where I have been coming up with my own theories with him purposefully brushing his teeth or eating before i came home to produce a negative result. I'm just being unreasonable.
Summed up info: 1 time heterosexual vaginal penetration exposure receptive. Me: white female low 20's, Him: white male mid 20's from Denmark.
1. Can I trust the Oraquick oral test?
2. Is my risk low?
I know I have a mental health issue, and I am planning on seeking help for it. I just need someone with a clearer head than me to assess my risk.
I had been in an exclusive relationship with someone I met in Denmark while I was studying abroad. He came to visit me in the US 3 weeks ago. We were having protected vaginal sex when the condom broke. I realized we had never talked about STDs or anything because we had been using condoms. When I asked about his HIV status, he said that he tested negative in December, but he had 2 unprotected vaginal intercourse incidents after that, before he met me. I have horrible anxiety, so I began to panic. He said I needed to relax because HIV rates in Denmark are low and that he was confident he was not affected by the virus. After having a mental breakdown, he agreed to do an Oraquick Oral swab. The results were negative. I have been having trouble trusting these results because I left him at home while I ran to CVS to buy the test. He said he did not eat or drink while I was gone and that it had definitely been at least 30 minutes since he had anything to eat/drink. 3 weeks after the incident I am still paranoid. He is back in Denmark now, and our relationship has ended in part because of my horrific anxiety. I have been begging him to take a blood test at a clinic. He said he would do so soon, but I do not know when that will be.
Maybe I am being ridiculous about this whole thing. It has gotten to the point where I have been coming up with my own theories with him purposefully brushing his teeth or eating before i came home to produce a negative result. I'm just being unreasonable.
Summed up info: 1 time heterosexual vaginal penetration exposure receptive. Me: white female low 20's, Him: white male mid 20's from Denmark.
1. Can I trust the Oraquick oral test?
2. Is my risk low?
I know I have a mental health issue, and I am planning on seeking help for it. I just need someone with a clearer head than me to assess my risk.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. It is very common to develop anxiety after an unprotected intercourse in individuals. The fear and abnormal thoughts that are coming in your mind are due to this anticipated fear or anxiety only.
We can trust on Oraquick test also. The test has sensitivity of about 93% based upon various studies and if that was negative then we can trust this. In most of high risk patients the test have good sensitivity.
You are not at risk. As your intercourse was about 3 weeks back so to remain on safer side you can go for antigen tests on yourself. Go for tests that detects p24 antigen. These tests are useful even in first few weeks of exposure. The test has sensitivity of about 99% and if it comes negative then no need to worry.
He had intercourse with two females but he is from low risk country and has not gone to a professional sex worker. So he was not in very high risk. He tested negative on quick test, which also keeps you in safe side.
So don't remain worried. You are absolutely normal.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. It is very common to develop anxiety after an unprotected intercourse in individuals. The fear and abnormal thoughts that are coming in your mind are due to this anticipated fear or anxiety only.
We can trust on Oraquick test also. The test has sensitivity of about 93% based upon various studies and if that was negative then we can trust this. In most of high risk patients the test have good sensitivity.
You are not at risk. As your intercourse was about 3 weeks back so to remain on safer side you can go for antigen tests on yourself. Go for tests that detects p24 antigen. These tests are useful even in first few weeks of exposure. The test has sensitivity of about 99% and if it comes negative then no need to worry.
He had intercourse with two females but he is from low risk country and has not gone to a professional sex worker. So he was not in very high risk. He tested negative on quick test, which also keeps you in safe side.
So don't remain worried. You are absolutely normal.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
No need to fear from psychiatric consultation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
Don't even frightened due to minor risk. You are absolutely safe. The test is confirmatory and if its negative then no need to worry. Its conclusive.
Thanks. Still have more to ask then ask again.
No need to fear from psychiatric consultation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
Don't even frightened due to minor risk. You are absolutely safe. The test is confirmatory and if its negative then no need to worry. Its conclusive.
Thanks. Still have more to ask then ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
