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Is HIV 4th Generation Test Conclusive At 16 Weeks Post Exposure?

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Question: i was virgin then for the first time in my life I had unprotected exposure with my girlfriend 4 months ago then we stopped having sex. 16 weeks after exposure both of us got tested in lab quest for 8 test panel including herpes blood test 1/2 igg and HIV 4th generation. the results were negative for both us in everything. Is the lady harboring any stds? Is my test results conclusive? could she infected me by any stds if she tested negative 16 weeks after exposure? for more information my girlfriend and i started dating 4 months ago. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HIV 4th generation test is conclusive at 16 days if you are in US

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. Usually the 8 panel test for STDs is conclusive after 30 days. If you both have done the test after 16 weeks and the report is negative then it is conclusive. You have not mentioned any symptoms during this period and therefore I guess that both of you did not have any symptoms.

2. Regarding HIV testing, international guidelines recommend the 4th generation HIV combo HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen test at the end of 30 days and the report is conclusive.

3. The p24 antigen which is tested in 4th generation test is very sensitive for HIV 1 infection when done after 30 days therefore if you have got the test done at 16 weeks then you can never get HIV 1 infection. HIV 2 infection is very rare and unlikely if you are in the US.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (16 minutes later)

I have dry white patches on my penis and black dots. is hiv 4th generation test looks for both hiv 1/2 antibody? do i have to retest again? should i move on from the last exposure? do i have to be worried about herpes or hcv c?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The 4th generation test is for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen. HIV 1 and 2 antibodies can take up to 6 months to come positive but the p24 antigen will surely come positive after 30 days if a person has got HIV 1 infection. p24 does not test for HIV 2 infection. However HIV 2 infection is seen only in XXXXXXX middle east and asia. Therefore the risk for HIV 2 is almost nil if you are in US.

2. If you were in XXXXXXX or asia then I would have recommended doing HIV test at 6 months.

3. Herpes is a very common infection and most people do not have symptoms. If your herpes test is negative then there is no need to worry. Hepatitis B and C infection might take 6 months to appear. For peace of mind you might get hepatitis B and C antibodies tested after 6 months.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (15 minutes later)

I have read in many websites that hiv 4th generation test conclusive in 12 weeks. im not on chemotherapy or taking any medication. i have hiv anxiety and cant eat or sleep but the doctors told me that i should accept my negative results and move on especially if your partner tested negative 16 weeks after exposure but now after i took your advise, the anxiety came back. thank you so much doctor. I will do my best to wait for 2 months until i get my conclusive results in 6 months.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please do not have anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. I reassure you that you might be completely safe and if you are in the US then no further testing is required.

2. Please do not have any kind of mental anxiety since the 4th generation test at 16 weeks shows negative results for HIV.

3. The 6 months test is only for peace of mind.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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