HomeAnswersHIV/AIDS specialisthiv risk factorsIs it possible to go on for years without knowing I am HIV positive?

Is it possible to go on for years without knowing I am HIV positive?

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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.

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Published At August 13, 2018
Reviewed AtAugust 13, 2018

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a male. I had unprotected vaginal sex single exposure with a girl. Nine months later, I found she is HIV positive. My question: I have read that after a certain window period time (three months after getting negative) is conclusive and even after (six months) confirmation is definitely negative. But, why are all these other people saying you can go years without showing positive and that is really freaking me out big time. Is it true that it takes years to come up positive or does it only take six months to know it 100 %? What is true? Also, there is a doctor who says no test is 100 % reliable.

I am still 15 months post exposure. HIV RNA PCR qualitative all are negative. 20 months post exposure, HIV-Alere combo test result is negative. Any further test is needed?

I am negative now. Will my result change in the future? What is 100 % window period? Please clarify my doubts. Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

For this question, it is based on the test you do. HIV enters the body on day-0, and goes to the nearest lymph node and starts replication by day-7. This is when, p24 antigens (core proteins of HIV virus) get detected and in turn, the body starts defense and produces HIV antibodies, and these get tested positive in 15 to 23 days. But, due to neutralization of antigens by antibodies, as per theory, testing after 23 days up to 28 days may give false negatives (<0.001%). So, getting a fourth generation HIV test after 28 days is confirmation by 99 %.

Yes, not only in medical, but in any field, 100 % is not possible. And taking medico legality, no one gives you 100 % cure.

No further test is needed. You are negative by 99.99 %. A change in result is unlikely. You will stay negative forever.

The window period is a period where lab tests cannot detect the presence of infection by tests.

For more information consult an HIV AIDS specialist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/HIV-AIDS-specialist

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

Dr. Kiran Anaparthi
Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

HIV/AIDS specialist

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