Is HIV negative result reliable after 30 days on ART?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a single exposure due to condom breakage with a part-time sex worker a few days back. I had undergone an ART course within 72 hours of exposure for 26 days only. 30 days later to the exposure, I have done HIV-1, HIV-2, and p24 combination tests and I am attaching the reports here. So, please comment on the pathology report and kindly give your expert opinion and recommendations.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

I went through your reports (the attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).

Unprotected sexual exposure is a risk factor for multiple STDs (sexually transmitted diseases,which are infections passed through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and can affect the genitals, mouth, or other body parts), including HIV. However, the actual risk of HIV in such cases is quite low, ranging from around 0.02 to 0.04 percent. Sexual encounters with commercial sex workers would fall in a high-risk category, and it is good that you have gone for post-exposure prophylaxis immediately. Your report is negative one month after the exposure. There is no comment on the p24 antigen(a protein from HIV that appears early after infection, which helps in early HIV detection before antibodies are fully developed). So, I suggest you repeat the test at 12 weeks to confirm the report.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert if there is any query.

Thank you.