Is HIV RNA Test Accurate At 9 Days Post Exposure?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jan 2017

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

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 Answered on

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello I had a high risk encounter and and tested negative on a hiv rna test at 9 days post exposure. I plan on taking follow up tests but to put my mind at ease I was wondering how likely this is a false negative? Thank you in advance!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
less than 0.3%

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.

After 9 days RNA test is 99.7% accurate. It means that only 1 in 300 tests will have false negative results which is minor risk if you ask me.

Hope this is clear now, feel free to ask further, if need be.

Wish you good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (20 minutes later)

Thank you! That is a huuuuuge burden off of my chest.
So what you are saying is at this point you would say that the other follow up hiv tests are more of a formality?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
Yes.

RNA is detecting viral RNA and this is very accurate test today. Even few days after exposure since it may detect even minor number of viral particles, If you want to rule out these 0.3%, you can do re-test but I don't think this is required.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee