Is A HIV Antibody Test Done At 22 Days Post Exposure Conclusive?

Brief Answer:
I suggest testing for HIV,syphilis & Genital herpes at appropriate interval

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have taken note of your query and I have understood it well.

Protected vaginal sex is considered to be safe in terms of HIV.

However, a condom protected sex is not entirely safe in terms of other STD's like Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Syphilis and Molluscum Contagiosum.

The reason being, a condom covers only portion of shaft of penis and therefore leaves a lot of skin (base of penis and adjacent pubic area) exposed for direct skin-to-skin contact and contact with infected vaginal secretions.

Protected oral sex is safe in terms of risk for HIV and other STD's.

Regarding screening for STD's, I would say that it is always a good thing to get screened for HIV and other STD's after casual sex with a CSW, regardless of whether the sexual act was protected or unprotected, just for your own peace of mind.

Screening for HIV is earliest at 4 weeks with an antibody based test. Earlier than that, it may be falsely negative
The test should be repeated at 12 weeks/ 3 months to cover for the window period and therefore for a conclusive result.

You tested at 3 weeks (~22 days) and that is a bit early. I suggest you to take another test at 4 weeks/ 1 month and a repeat test at 12 weeks/3 months.

Although it is very likely that the tests would be negative because the sexual act was a protected one but still I would suggest you to go ahead with it.

As I mentioned a condom does not guarantee against Genital Herpes, Genital warts, Syphilis and Molluscum Contagiosum, therefore, if you notice any sores, ulcers, warts or growths in the pubic region and region of base of penis (the areas that would be exposed to direct skin-to-skin contact and infected vaginal secretions, even during a protected sex) you must get yourself checked with a venereologist.

A blood test for Genital Herpes can either confirm or rule out possibility of HSV infection.
The test would detect circulating antibodies (HSV ELISA) to the virus and can be taken up earliest at 2-4 weeks after sexual contact.

Similarly, test for syphilis by RPR/ VDRL can be taken up at 4 weeks/ 1 month (average incubation period of syphilis is 3 weeks) and should be repeated at 12 weeks/3 months (because range of incubation period of syphilis is 9-90 days).

Coming to your questions...

1. Am i safe from any HIV or STD? Ans: AS far as HIV is concerned you are most likely safe but still testing is advisable as discussed above.
Other STD's like Genital Herpes, Genital warts, Syphilis and Molluscum Contagiosum are not completely avoidable by a condom therefore you need to test for Herpes and Syphilis, at appropriate intervals mentioned above.

2. do i need any further hiv or std testing in future ? Ans: yes, i have already discussed this i.e Screening for HIV, Syphilis and Herpes at 4 weeks/ 1 month and repeat testing for HIV and Syphilis at 12 weeks/3 months.

3. can i have unprotected sex with my wife? Ans: It would be safe to hold on for some time till you are all clear by tests.

Regards
Hope this helps!

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Brief Answer:
Protected sex is safe and risk of HIV is negligible

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Though protected sex is considered safe and risk of HIV is negligible but as a safety measure I still suggest you to undergo screening.
Most likely your screening tests for HIV would turn out to be negative.
However, HIV antibody test at 22 days is a bit early and it cannot be taken as reliable.
Recommendation is to test at 4 weeks and then again at 12 weeks.

Regarding other STD's..
Infection with HSV may be clinically silent and therefore absence of sores at 22 days does not totally rule it out. That's why I advised testing for it as well at 4 weeks with a HSV ELISA.
As I also mentioned, Incubation of period of syphilis varies from 9-90 days (average 3 weeks) and therefore you cannot say that if had'nt had a sore for 22 days you still cannot get it. This is the reason to test for VDRL/RPR at 4 weeks and then again at 12 weeks/ 3 months/ 90 days.
Genital warts and Molluscum have long incubation periods varying from weeks to months e.g warts have an incubation period of an average of 3 months and it varies from a few days to 20 months!

Of course a short contact (~5 minutes) is less likely to transmit an STD as compared to a contact that lasts longer but that is a relative thing and cannot be argument against transmission of STD's.

Always better to be sure and safe by testing then to live with a dilemma in mind.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Risk of STD is less if sexual contact was for a short period but not Zero!

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

There is no such incident reported of HIV getting transmitted provided the condom was intact throughout.
Definitely a short lasting sexual contact is less risky in terms of an STD because there will be less wear and tear and therefore less chances for the microbes to enter through the skin/ mucosa.
I can't tell you the exact risk or probability of an STD from a short lasting sexual contact.
However this risk/ probability is relatively less but not Zero! even from a short sexual contact.

Regards

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