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Hello Doctor, What Is Maximum Window Period For Hiv. I

Posted on Wed, 20 Mar 2019

Question: hello doctor, what is maximum window period for hiv. I have taken lot of hiv test after one time unprotected sex upto 1.5years and all are negative. I had lot of confusion more doctors says window period is 3 months and some doctors 10 years. my family plan my marriage, what should I do, can I wait some time. my tests are hiv duo tests like 3month, 6 month, 9 month and 1year and 1.5 years and after 33 days hiv pcr rt qualitative tests and all are negative. kindly advise doctor. is there any test available to rule out hiv 100percentage

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV Infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Window period for HIV is 6-8 weeks after the exposure and may be extended up to 12 weeks. In very rare instance, if the individual is on immunosuppressive drugs or in situations, PEP started and discontinued before completion, seroconversion can be delayed up to 6 months.

HIV 4th generation combo /duo test is reliable up to 99%. When the repeated tests are Non-reactive, then the reliability is almost 100 %.

In case, if the individual is infected, the symptoms may be delayed to appear even after 10 years. But it is not true, that sero conversion can be delayed more than 6 months after the exposure.

In your case, you are absolutely free from HIV Infection and can get married without any hesitation.
Dr S Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Thanks for your advice Doctor, I have some doubts regarding hiv doctor please clarify my doubts doctor, I know doctor, you are Expert in this field. 1.when I searching in internet maximum documented window period means, it showing one case that having antibodies to develop 4 years but it included in this study the infection found 4 months using hiv duo and Naat test but my doubt some person told and even some doctor told window period extend up-to 10 years, where they can found that 10 years?is there any other study available? 2.is it possible to virus to hide in cells without mixing with blood ,because we have hiv study only with blood? 3.why some people is infected with virus but symptoms not shown in long period example more than 10 years if some part is damaged in our body means it should shown some symptoms immediately 4. sero negative patients are also available with our study doctor that means their body not producing antibodies but that can detect in naat test also, but we have some limitations in naat also below 20ml virus is also not detected so how can we detect that people even naat also failed there 5. Finally can I go with my marriage confidently doctor because for this reason only I postpone my marriage almost already 2.8years.i read more and more about hiv past 2.8years.sorry doctor some of the questions above may be irrelevant. and thanks for reading this doctor.I asked all doubts about hiv is stored in my mind. if I am a medical student I ask all these questions to my lecturer

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hiv/253657?iL=true" >AIDS Symptoms occur only when the immunity goes down beyond critical level.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
First of all stop referring online references. All unauthorized information will confuse further.
If anybody or doctors told HIV window period as 10 years then they don't know anything about HIV. In MBBS curriculum, the subject on HIV is not given adequate importance, so they have poor knowledge about HIV. The concepts about HIV is going on changing especially with treatment and monitoring aspects, so one should keep on updating himself , then only he will be able to answer all questions.
HIV can remain dormant in tissue cells and not amenable for ART drugs, that is why we may not be able to achieve a complete cure... But it does not mean that virus present only in deeper cells and not in blood. It will first invade blood cells and also certain tissue cells. So sero-conversion would be affected on any situations.
In HIV infection, the symptoms is not caused by the virus in most situation. Symptoms caused by the immune deficiency caused by the virus in the long run as they destroyed the important cells responsible for human immunity against infections.When the immunity going to alarming level, the individual starts manifestations due to opportunistic and secondary infections. It varies with individual to individual. Body loose in the battle against virus elimination and start manifestations.
There is no situation that body can not produce antibodies against any organism; so, the negative test after 3 months means there is no organism. That is all.
Don't postpone your marriage due to this reason. You are free from HIV infection.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (28 minutes later)

thanks doctor, sorry for some irrelevant questions in above conversation that's my doubts only.once again thanks doctor for clearing my doubts. I will go with my marriage confidently and thanks doctor

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are most welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I am happy to hear from you.
You are welcome. Advance wishes for your happy married life.
Avoid unprotected sex out of marriage in future.
Have a great day.
Dr S Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj