Should I Take A Follow Up Test After Having A Negative HIV DNA PCR Test?

Posted on Sat, 18 Jan 2014

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

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 Answered on

Thu, 6 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I took a HIV DNA RT by PCR (ICMA) test at 3 months after exposure and the results were Negative. Do I still need to follow up with a test at 6 months?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: HIV free. No further test is need. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to XXXXXXX Thanks for posting your query. HIV DNA PCR (ICMA) test is detecting the antigen (viral particle itself).This highly specific and sensitive test for HIV. If this test is negative after 4 weeks the you are free from HIV. You had this test 3 months after your high risk contact and the same was negative. It confirms that you are not infected with HIV. No further tests are needed. Forget the past. Dr S.Murugan

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