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What Is The Window Period For An HIV Test?
Question: I just finished Pep. I had vaginal sex me the receiver 3 times in two days no ejaculation. So that was why I was given PEP. I did a 4th generation lab blood draw HIV test 20 days into treatment because I was just going crazy I know I will need to retest but what are the chances my next test will be will be negative.
Brief Answer:
I suggest you to repeat the test since you have finished PEP
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr. kakkar (MD, skin and STDs). I have gone through yor query and I have noted your concern.
Timely institution of PEP has been reported to reduce the risk of Hiv by about 50-80% in various studies.
A 4th generation Hiv test includes testing for both P 24 antigen and Hiv antibodies. After Hiv infection, normally seroconversion i.e Hiv antibodies would take about 6 weeks but PEP would delay seroconversion. Moreover, since PEP would inhibit viral replication, hence P 24 antigen (which is detectable at 3-4 weeks after infection with a 4 th generation test) testing at 3-4 weeks will not be reliable and has to be repeated later i.e at 3 months of exposure
The recommendation is to test for HIV at baseline, at 4-6 weeks (i.e just after finishing PEP) and again at 3 months. The test just after finishing PEP is indicative and a negative test would most likely stay so, at 3 months.
Therefore, my advice would be to repeat the test since you have finished PEP and that would most likely be indicative of your status. Though you should also need to repeat the test at 3 months, according to recommendation in order to be conclusive.
Regards
I suggest you to repeat the test since you have finished PEP
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr. kakkar (MD, skin and STDs). I have gone through yor query and I have noted your concern.
Timely institution of PEP has been reported to reduce the risk of Hiv by about 50-80% in various studies.
A 4th generation Hiv test includes testing for both P 24 antigen and Hiv antibodies. After Hiv infection, normally seroconversion i.e Hiv antibodies would take about 6 weeks but PEP would delay seroconversion. Moreover, since PEP would inhibit viral replication, hence P 24 antigen (which is detectable at 3-4 weeks after infection with a 4 th generation test) testing at 3-4 weeks will not be reliable and has to be repeated later i.e at 3 months of exposure
The recommendation is to test for HIV at baseline, at 4-6 weeks (i.e just after finishing PEP) and again at 3 months. The test just after finishing PEP is indicative and a negative test would most likely stay so, at 3 months.
Therefore, my advice would be to repeat the test since you have finished PEP and that would most likely be indicative of your status. Though you should also need to repeat the test at 3 months, according to recommendation in order to be conclusive.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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