Is it safe to relax after an HIV test at 4 months?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had unprotected sex four months back, and after a week, I got pain while urinating, and greenish fluid came out of my penis. The doctor gave me Doxycycline. Now I checked for HIV. The last test method was the HIV 1 and 2 screening test, serum, and the HIV 1 and p24 combo.

Can I now be relaxed that I am HIV-free?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, the negative results of these tests (attachment removed to protect patient identity) on repeat after four months indicate that you are not infected with HIV. Nowadays, fourth-generation tests can pick up the antibody if you are infected with HIV. If the HIV if is negative after three months, then the chances of HIV are very rare, and few guidelines recommend that you repeat it after six months again.

For more information, consult a sexologist online.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is true that a repeat test is recommended at six months and 12 months by some guidelines. But the fourth-generation HIV testing is good enough to detect the virus after 12 weeks. So you have a good chance that you are not suffering from HIV, as these tests are negative at this point. So do not worry excessively, and you can repeat them at six and 12 months to be very sure.

The symptoms mentioned by you do not necessarily mean that you have HIV and can occur in viral infections. Early symptoms of HIV are like a viral illness, and these symptoms in HIV last only for a week or two, then disappear automatically. So just relax. You can retest at the above-mentioned time, but most likely they will turn negative as expected.

For more information, consult a sexologist online.

I hope this helps you.