Is The HIV 1 RNA Quantitative Test Conclusive 9 Days After Exposure?

Posted on Sun, 22 Jan 2017

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

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 Answered on

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a high risk exposure to hiv about a month ago. I had a rna pcr quantitative done at 9 days and it came up negative. Could this be a false negative?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (12 minutes later)

Hello!

It is less likely to be false negative. Anyway, I recommend repeating the HIV test after 5 months.

Kind regards!

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

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (37 minutes later)

Do have any percentages. I plan on following up at three and six months as well as the p25 antigen test. The reason I was asking is because every doctor I have spoken to has given me different information and the internet as well has multiple guidelines. One doctor even recommended that i not retest (which I will). Anyway thanks for your time.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I understand your concern and would explain that the fact that p24 antigen test has resulted negative after the first month of exposure, indicate that there is a great chance that you have not been infected.

P24 antigen shows up in the blood before antibodies do, which means that it is a more sensitive test in the first stages of the infection.

Anyway, this infection (as every other infections) needs a period of time to show up with antibodies in the blood (which is also called sero-conversion), which for this infection goes up to months.

That is why I would recommend checking again after 6 months. You can check even after three months, if this can help you be more calm and reassure you.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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