Is The HIV Antibodies Test Done At 12 Weeks Conclusive?

Posted on Fri, 27 Feb 2015

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

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Answered on

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I was on Methotrexate 7.5 mg for 4 months till 2 weeks and stopped since then for Psoriasis. I want to get HIV antibodies test done at 12 weeks. Will it be conclusive ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest you to take up a repeat test at 6 months for a conclusive result

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

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

After a risky sexual encounter, screening test at 12 week/ 3 month is conclusive in most individuals and almost certainly rules out HIV.
However, since you were on an Immunosuppressive drug (Methotrexate) therefore to be on the safer side you must take up a repeat test at 6 months and that would be conclusive.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

i have not taken Methotrexate for past 2 weeks. Is it still in the system to effect my HIV test at 12 weeks ? In the last 2 weeks I took 2.5 mg per week only

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Methotrexate may delay antibody response because it is immunosppressive

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Since you took Methotrexate for 4 months, therefore, most likely you were already on it when you had risky sexual contact and also for few weeks after that, therefore, it would be safe if you test at 3 and then again at 6 months for a conclusive result.

Methotrexate being an immunosuppresive can interfere with development of antibodies, even at lower dose and therefore it may take longer for antibodies against HIV to appear in blood i.e antibody response may be delayed.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (22 minutes later)

Just a penetration for 5-10 seconds with unknown status female, will you term it as risky ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest screening for HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

A short lasting sexual contact carries less chances of transmission of HIV because there will be less wear and tear and therefore less opportunity for the microbe to enter into the body, however, the risk cannot be dismissed as Zero! even if it was a short contact.
It is always better to get tested after an unprotected sexual contact regardless of how long the sexual act was, for your own peace of mind.

Regards
Always practice safe sex with a condom!

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (38 minutes later)

Hi !
Accepted that I will have to get retested after 6 months but if my partner with whom I had this encounter, tests for hiv just after 12 weeks of our exposure, will the result be conclusive and applicable to me also ? She takes drug for diabetes only.

request you not to publish my name on your site

Please answer

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HIV testing of your partner can be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

If your partner has sex only with you and no one else apart from you and you are sure about this then she can take a test at 12 weeks of your last sexual act & that would be conclusive for both of you.

These discussions never disclose the name and identity of an Individual.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 hours later)

My female partner with whom I had this brief encounter had ELISA HIV test on 85th day after exposure, i.e, at 12th week. It is negative. I did not have any other exposure with anybody after that.

I do not know whether she is having sex with someone else or not but surely she has with her husband as she is married.

I also got my HIV Elisa test done at the same time and this too is negative.

What is our HIV status now ?

Hi doc !

I have paid but still you are not replying. What is use of taking so much time ? I can go and consult anyone else ?

I have not followed your logic of saying that " if your partner has sex with you only ". We had encounter on 3rd December and HIV test on 27th February. After 3rd December I had nothing to do with that female, so why should I be worried if she had sex with someone else or not after 3rd December as long as her test is negative. s it not ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You are safe

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I really apologize for some delay in my reply.
Since you and your sexual partner both have tested negative at 12 weeks after sexual contact then there is nothing to worry at all and you can feel safe.

There is absolutely nothing to worry.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

Hi !
So, the fact that I was on Methotrexate for 4 months and stopped 2 weeks before my test will not matter now since my partner too tested negative ?

Can I take it that my HIV status is negative conclusively ? Please read all my previous queries before answering so that you do not miss out any fact

Thanks and regards

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No further testing required

Detailed Answer:
Hello
The negative test result at 12 weeks of your sexual partner can be taken as conclusive for both of you and therefore there is no need for you to test again at 6 months.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E