Doctor I Had Protected Exposhure 40 Days Back.not Sure It

Posted on Sun, 6 Oct 2019

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

Sun, 6 Oct 2019 Answered on

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Question : doctor i had protected exposhure 40 days back.not sure it was properly fitted as i was drunk.after the incident one week later i had pain ful pimples on my chest scalp shoulder one by one. i was so much afraid went to lab at 16th , 19th, 26th 28th and 30th day for an antigen antibody 4th gen test all came negative and also done a pcr rna test on the 19th which also came back negative. but iam afraid ..i have insomnia not feeling well etc.please advice do i need to test agin. the doctor here said my results are conclusive not to worry.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ASK A DOCTOR.
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all, your exposure was a protected one.
Earliest symptoms in the presence of an HIV infection (Acute infection) can occur only after 3-4 weeks and not earlier.
A non-reactive 4th generation HIV combo test especially after the completion of 4 weeks after the exposure ruled out HIV 1 infection (antigen part of the test). Antibody detection will be considered more conclusive 12 weeks after the exposure. HIV 1 infection is more common throughout the world except certain pockets of XXXXXXX to extent of 99%.
Regarding the RNA PCR the qualitative test is diagnostic and not the quantitative...that too considered more conclusive 3-4 weeks after the exposure.
Consult a physician nearby and get treated for your present symptoms.
Your problem does not seem to be related to HIV infection.
You can repeat the test 12 weeks after the exposure and rule out HIV 2 also.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)

doctor a 4th gen test would look for all hiv 1 and 2types?;or is there any other test specialy for hiv2 variant? as far as i was informed here the 4th gen p24 test both look for the two variants? iam totaly frantic doctor kindly advice

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HIV 2 detection is available with separate PCR test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV 4th generation test has two parts. Detection of P24 antigen of HIV 1, and detection of antibodies against HIV 1&2. Antigen detection is possible as early as 1 week whereas the detection of antibodies against HIV 1&2 is possible only after the window period which may be delayed up to 12 weeks after the exposure.
HIV 2 detection can be done with any of the antibody tests after the window period.
HIV 2 antigen PCR test is available with very few laboratory on request.
Dr S Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng