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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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How Accurate Is HIV Test After 3 Months Of Exposure?

hi. i am about to get married in 3 months. last month i got to know that my ex bf was cheating on me. so i broke up with him and asked him to undergo a hiv test, after 3 months of his exposure period. the result was negative. i underwent a hiv test and my result was negative after one month of exposure period. how accurate is hiv test after 3 months of exposure?
Mon, 26 May 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
In case there is any suspicion for HIV infection, an ELISA test should be done immediately.
In case the HIV ELISA test comes out to be negative, it should be repeated after 3 months.
This is because there is a window period in HIV infection during which time the ELISA test for HIV comes to be negative.
If againt the test turne to be negative after 3 months, HIV is ruled out for all practical purposes.
In case the test turns out to be positive initially or after 3 months, it has to be immediately followed by a confirmatory western blot test.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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How Accurate Is HIV Test After 3 Months Of Exposure?

Hello and welcome to HCM, In case there is any suspicion for HIV infection, an ELISA test should be done immediately. In case the HIV ELISA test comes out to be negative, it should be repeated after 3 months. This is because there is a window period in HIV infection during which time the ELISA test for HIV comes to be negative. If againt the test turne to be negative after 3 months, HIV is ruled out for all practical purposes. In case the test turns out to be positive initially or after 3 months, it has to be immediately followed by a confirmatory western blot test. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal