Brief Answer:
Herpes and HIV: Various time frames for tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query tot he forum.

I can understand your concern for the herpes and HIV after the incidence.

As your intercourse was of unprotected type so it is always advisable to get tested for the various STDs. In an unprotected sex there are always the chances of one or other STDs if the partner is infected from same.

So I suggest you to get tested especially for herpes and HIV.

TO guide you individually regarding the testing and time frames for the same:

For Herpes: There are two types of antibody detection in Herpes- the one is IgM and the other is IgG.

IgM is the first antibody to develop. IgM antibodies are usually detectable 9–10 days after exposure and last 7–14 days or sometimes up to maximum 6 weeks.

IgG is next to appear. The time required for the development of IgG antibodies following HSV infection varies from 21 to over 42 days with most individuals having detectable IgG 21–28 days after exposure.

So getting above information you can judge that the best to time to get tested is around 14 days for IgM and for IgG is 28 days in case of herpes.

In my settings I prefer to get tested for both IgM and IgG for herpes.

Let you know about HIV infection: In an unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person the HIV viruses gets entered into the body and divides in innumerous numbers(millions of viruses per ml).

After a period of 2-6 week there is mounting of antibodies against the viruses. These antibodies can take at the maximum of 8-10 weeks of the period to get expressed.

Therefore the HIV infection can be analyzed by two ways -

-A): By HIV virus detection: done by RNA- PCR. It tells us the number of copies of virus present in per ml of blood. By the latest of methods the viruses can be detected anytime after 2 weeks of period.

B): By HIV antibody Detection: As told earlier once the antibodies appear maximum of 8-10 weeks then these antibodies to HIV virus persist throughout life. The protocol of the antibody tests done for HIV is as follows: One HIV antibody test at 6-8 weeks and then a follow up final test at 3 months (84 days or 12 weeks).

So you got the exact time periods of various types of tests for herpes and HIV. You can go for the tests as per the time frame of your incidence.

Let me know if you have any more doubts.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases)

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Brief Answer:
Herpes &HIV : various time intervals of tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Welcome again to the forum.

For the detection of herpes I always prefer to do an IgM followed by IgG at around 14 and 28 respectively.

For the best confirmation it is always better to go for both the tests.

In case of HIV testing : if you are within 3 months of period then it is better to go for RNA PCR. If you ate beyond 3 months then the simple antibody test is sufficient.

I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to guide you any further.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia

MD-DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases.

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