HomeAnswersHIV/AIDS specialisthiv infectionCan outcome of HIV test be affected by taking antibiotics?

Can antibiotic affect the outcome of HIV test?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At December 30, 2015
Reviewed AtJuly 3, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I had HIV test after 40 days of sex and it is negative. I am taking antibiotics from the last 1 month for my symptoms. Would that have affected the outcome of the test? For what symptoms should I consult a doctor? How much percentage does this test stand to be negative until 90 days?

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.

As I am not aware of your previous history. Please explain your problem in detail.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My detailed history is as follows. I had sex in a massage parlor 41 days back. It was protected sex, but I have a doubt that the condom might have been a broken one. This is the first time I had sex with another woman. Immediately after that, I had diarrhea for the next two days. Then I felt some penile burning sensation for almost a month. I consulted a urologist and had taken up a urine culture test, which is found to be fine. It is followed by slight fever and throat pain, which lasted for seven days. Now, it is better after taking three days course of Amoxicillin. Already, I had an HIV test after 12 days of exposure and found to be negative. I am much worried about my health now.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If you had undergone 4th generation ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) with HIV RNA RT-PCR (human immuno virus ribonucleic acid reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) then your HIV test is conclusive. In some rare cases, it is advised to undergo an HIV test again from a different laboratory to make it confirm. If it is negative, it will remain negative only. HIV antibody test becomes positive after 22 days and RNA will become positive after 16 days. No, the antibiotics do not affect the outcome of these tests. As everything is fine, you need not worry about your health. Try to avoid such sexual exposure in future because HIV is not curable.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I still have a burning sensation in my penis. I have the sensation all through the day. My urine culture test was normal. This started exactly from the day I had sex. What could be the cause? I am currently consulting a urologist for this. He suspects a prostate infection and he prescribed tablets for two months. Is this a correct diagnosis? How to get rid of this pain?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com

If no other cause is suspected the prostatitis is the commonest probability and keep in mind that you may have to take antibiotics for four to five month or even longer. Endoscopy is a test to diagnose the infection. But, it is quite invasive and so not recommended.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Atishay Bukharia
Dr. Atishay Bukharia

Dermatology

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