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Is HIV-1 RNA Quantitative Test Done 25 Days Post Exposure Conclusive?

Posted on Thu, 7 Sep 2017

Question: Had a sexual exposure almost a month back. Got myself tested at 8th day with hiv1 rna and hiv1/2 p24 combo test, both came negative. Did hiv1/2 p24 test again on 16th dau came negative. Again did a hiv1 rna quantitative test on 25th day along with hiv1/2 p24 test, both came negative. How conclusive is this. Do i have a chance of turning positive in future?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (12 hours later)

Brief answer......most likely negative and 99% conclusive but not 100% conclusive
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Your all the tests done till date are negative.
Although these tests do tell us that you are HIV negative in almost all probability but still we can't say that it is 100% conclusive.
Getting the ELISA test done at 3 months time is 100% conclusive.
If you think that you have to get peace of mind,then get the test done at 3 months.
A negative ELISA at 3 months would make you 100% sure that you are HIV free.
No need to get any test done any more till it is 3 months post exposure.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (7 minutes later)

Thanks, i have heard that rna test looks for the virus itself, if at 25 days the virus is not present as pwr the report, then shouldn't this be conclusive?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (35 minutes later)

Hello,
Sometimes the concentration of virus may be low and hence it may not be 100% conclusive ,although you are reasonably assured that there is no HIV,but a negative test at 3 months is 100% surety.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (40 minutes later)

Thanks. One more query, i was reading that hiv combo test is taken as conclusive by many doctors at 6 weeks mark. Is that correct? Actually i am a bit anxious, and don't want to wait till 3 months mark. I hope you understand.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (4 hours later)

Hello,
You see that protocol and guide lines say that HIV test is rendered conclusive at 12 weeks only.
All the tests which are done before 12 weeks are 95% to 99.99% conclusive and not 100%.
In your case all the tests done by you are negative till date. It tells us that your test at 12 weeks is also going to be negative in almost all the probabilities but,as a doctor,we would label you 100% negative HIV only by a negative test at 12 weeks.
If you want a 100% conclusive answer,then you have to wait till 12 weeks. There is no short cut to that and hence you have to wait till then.
Thanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (24 minutes later)

Thanks sir. Also, i had chlamydia iga positive while igg negative. I consulted a doctor and took azithromycin 500 mg for 9 days. Do u think, i should stop taking it now? Has chlamydia been treated with this? Also, to confirm whether it has been treated .. is there a need to get tested for chlamydia again, if yes, then after how many days?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (19 minutes later)

Hello,
Yes you can stop azithromycin now,as it is already nine days.
You should get yourself tested after two weeks of stopping your antibiotic.
Thanks

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