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Do I Need Further HIV Testing After Three Negative 3rd-generation Tests At 4, 6, And 8.5 Weeks Post-exposure?
Hi, Good morning doctor.
I had an exposure 2 months ago, and I am completely asymptomatic, I took the SPOT HIV 1 and HIV 2, 3rd generation test in the lab but the test was SPOT/Rapid , they used my blood Serum for the test, and I took this test at , 4 weeks as well as 6 weeks as well as 8.5 (60 days) weeks.
The reports were like:-
1) 4 weeks:
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
2) 6 weeks:
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
3) 8.5 weeks (60 days):
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
Do I need further testing?
I had an exposure 2 months ago, and I am completely asymptomatic, I took the SPOT HIV 1 and HIV 2, 3rd generation test in the lab but the test was SPOT/Rapid , they used my blood Serum for the test, and I took this test at , 4 weeks as well as 6 weeks as well as 8.5 (60 days) weeks.
The reports were like:-
1) 4 weeks:
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
2) 6 weeks:
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
3) 8.5 weeks (60 days):
HIV 1: NEGATIVE
HIV 2: NEGATIVE
Do I need further testing?
posted on
Mon, 16 Sep 2024
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 9 Sep 2025
Answered on
Tue, 30 Sep 2025
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Most of the HIV antibody detection tests will be reliable by 6-8 weeks after the exposure as antibodies against the HIV virus would be appearing by this time in the presence of an infection. Therefore, negative HIV tests by 8 weeks is almost confirmative.
It will be more conclusive after 12 weeks or 90 days after the exposure as with some individuals, there may be a delay in the appearance of antibodies against HIV.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan, HIV AIDS Specialist
Most of the HIV antibody detection tests will be reliable by 6-8 weeks after the exposure as antibodies against the HIV virus would be appearing by this time in the presence of an infection. Therefore, negative HIV tests by 8 weeks is almost confirmative.
It will be more conclusive after 12 weeks or 90 days after the exposure as with some individuals, there may be a delay in the appearance of antibodies against HIV.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan, HIV AIDS Specialist
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