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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Negative HIV Tests Post Months Of Exposure, Have Bumps Around Elbows That Are Itchy All The Time. Chance Of False Negative Results?

Hello, I was exposed to HIV infection 2 months and 18 days ago, Out of anxiety , i couldn t wait for the 3 months mark so i took a rapid test 10 days ago which turned out negative. I have been sick twice after exposure (fever, cold and headaches ). For a week now, I have been seeing little bumps around my elbows and I feel itchy all over all the time and I m wondering if I got a false negative test result. Please, I would appreciate your advice and views.
posted on Tue, 9 Oct 2012
Twitter Tue, 9 Oct 2012 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 29 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI, thanks for using health care magic

The rapid tests detect the presence of antibodies in the body.In some persons these antibodies take a few months to form which is why there is a window period of 3 to 6 mths.The window period is the time taken for a test to detect the presence of a disease if it is present.
Since you did the test close to the end of the window period it is likely to be truly negative but it is understandable to be concerned.

To allay your fears , you should consider repeating the antibody test after the 3 mth mark or you can do the other HIV test which checks for the virus itself (because of this , its window period is 21 days )

I hope this helps and wish you the best
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HIV AIDS Specialist,  Dr. (Prof). Ram's  Response
HI
RELAX REPEAT THIS TEST AFTER 3 WKS AND 3 MONTHS IF NEGATIVE RELAX
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Negative HIV Tests Post Months Of Exposure, Have Bumps Around Elbows That Are Itchy All The Time. Chance Of False Negative Results?

HI, thanks for using health care magic The rapid tests detect the presence of antibodies in the body.In some persons these antibodies take a few months to form which is why there is a window period of 3 to 6 mths.The window period is the time taken for a test to detect the presence of a disease if it is present. Since you did the test close to the end of the window period it is likely to be truly negative but it is understandable to be concerned. To allay your fears , you should consider repeating the antibody test after the 3 mth mark or you can do the other HIV test which checks for the virus itself (because of this , its window period is 21 days ) I hope this helps and wish you the best