Hello. On The 3 May 2018 I Exposed Myself To

Posted on Sun, 21 Oct 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 Answered on

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Question : Hello.
On the 3 May 2018 I exposed myself to hiv. It was receiving oral sex without protection, touching of the vigina with peeled skin that was a few days old and kissing. No intercourse.

I have done multiple tests. All with negative results

6 weeks elisa test at the lab

8 weeks elisa test at the lab

12 weeks two rapid hiv test

16 weeks rapid test

22 weeks elisa test at the lab.

I was told that all tests are the latest technolgy and its accurate. Am i done now with testing.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (11 minutes later)

Are these tests all accurate

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, they are accurate...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

For all practical purpose, the tests (ELISA) are accurate and chances of false negative reports are extremely rare. So I would not be further worried about HIV infection in your case.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need any more information.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (23 minutes later)

Thank you very much.

So just to confirm. I am really hiv negative. Since the tests are all anyi body tests by the last test taken at 22 weeks or just three days short of 5 months, if there was hiv present it would of definately pucked up

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, for all practical purpose you are negative...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As I mentioned in my earlier reply, for all practical purposes all those test are sufficient to say you are negative for HIV and you need not be bothered further.

Theoretically though, window period of HIV where antibody production is low lasts between 3 - 6 months. So if you wish you may repeat the ELISA test at the end of 6th month. I do not mean there is a doubt, but to fulfill protocols of testing.

Hope this is clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Thank you very much Doctor. Namaste and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Testing is difficult for me. I suffer with anxiety and this is really elivating it.

I just want to move on. So will take tests as final. Just need to work on forgetting the incident

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need not be overly burdened by this...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I wish to reassure you here. I'll take the results of your earlier tests as conclusive for all practical purpose. The repeat test is just to make sure the testing protocol is followed. I suggest test at 6 months for all my patients with history of exposure. None of my patients have tested positive when the test after 3 months yielded negative results. So you need not be overly burdened.

You can rest assured that there is no infection and go on with your life. Make sure you avoid risky exposures in the past.

Hope it helps. I'll be glad to answer further questions if any.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (4 days later)

Hi Dr

I took another rapid test at 173 days. Still negative. Can that now be the final one.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (7 hours later)

Helo doctor

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are negative...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As I mentioned earlier, you should not be worried about HIV anymore. All the tests you had in the past are sufficient to rule out HIV. I mentioned about repeating the tests only for purpose of theoretical protocols. For all practical reasons you have no HIV infection.

Hope this is clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (14 hours later)

Hello Dr

Thank you very much. Is there any way you suggest for me to forget this and move on.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Counselling and behavioural therapy...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If you are finding it real hard to move on despite repeated confirmation, I think you should consider counseling and behavioural therapy. This is the most effective and appropriate option to help you deal with the fear and proceed with life.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (14 hours later)

Thank you for all the advise. Im going to focus on moving on

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
That's a positive move...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You have taken a positive move in the right direction. Do not be worried about HIV any more.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions. If there are none, request you to close discussion and review.

Regards

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