Recently Answered Questions
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My HIV test results came negative at 8 weeks. Am I all clear?
Query: Hello doctor, I would like some advice, please regarding HIV testing. 10 days following a sexual encounter, (protected penetrative sex, unprotected oral sex) I was tested at my local GUM clinic. Although the lady from my encounter tested negative, mine came back as weakly reactive (fourth generation... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. After an indeterminate or weakly positive HIV screening test (usually due to cross-reacting antibodies), the second confirmatory test should be a different yet more specific test, such as a western blot. Western blot is 99.9 % specific, which... Read Full »
I tested negative for HIV. Can I be a case of late seroconversion?
Query: Dear doctor, Under a lot of alcohol, I had vaginal intercourse with a lady. I was wasted but I remember that I was protected with a condom. The condom did not break nor leak but maybe was not put perfectly. I did not manage to cum, removed it, and masturbated in a very aggressive way with my bare h... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern.Protected sex is safe as far as the risk of HIV is concerned. Spitting on a bare penis is not a risk for HIV as saliva is not infectious. The virus cannot survive in saliva because it contains enzymes inhibitory for the virus. Moreover, a four... Read Full »
Can HIV be transmitted through kissing?
Query: Hello doctor, I did deep kissing like nine days ago with a girl that had HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Of course, I knew that after. And while it was dark, I was kissing her body too but because I did not have condom we did not have sex. Is it possible to get HIV by kissing her body or contact... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. Kissing is safe as far as the risk of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is concerned unless she had oral sores or bleeding gums which may increase the risk. Kissing on the skin is also not a risk. HIV is only transmitted through unprotected ... Read Full »
Is the anti-HIV antibody screening test conclusive?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had a few unprotected high-risk exposures in my life so far. I had a concern and checked my status of HIV through an ELFA test after three months following the last encounter. I did another ELFA test after six months, and both were non-reactive. I did not have any exposure in be... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query, and I have noted your concern. Your last screening tests for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), that is, fourth generation p24 antigen and anti-HIV antibody screening test is conclusive for all previous exposures. Negative antibody s... Read Full »
Is the HIV screening test taken at 36 days conclusive?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a low-risk event (no penetration but exchange of fluids through fingering and immediate masturbation). At 26 days, I received a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) /RNA (Ribonucleic acid) test that came back undetectable. At 30 days, I felt a small posterior cervical lymph node which... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. A fourth-generation HIV screening test (antigen /antibody) is considered conclusive at four weeks. So, a negative test at 36 days is conclusive. Regards. Read Full »
How accurate is HIV-1 RNA, QL TMA?
Query: Hello doctor, Is HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), QL TMA (Qualitative transcription-mediated amplification) accurate after 20 to 21 days of exposure? And also this came with my results. RNA is not detected. No laboratory evidence of HIV infection. The HIV-1 RNA qualitative T... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. HIV RNA PCR test is accurate after 9 to 13 days after the risk exposure. It can be used to detect early infection with HIV when most other screening tests are not yet reliable. However, it is not a confirmatory test and an early screening with RNA PCR should be followed b... Read Full »
Is HIV transmission possible through the mother's placenta to the baby?
Query: Hi doctor, My partner is HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive. My first baby is born. I am negative and my first child is negative. My partner is in ART (Antiretroviral Treatment) treatment now. I am 38 days pregnant now. We checked with the normal HIV test, in that I was negative. But my frie... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. If the mother is HIV negative, then there is no risk of transmission of HIV to the baby. Read Full »
The fourth generation combo test is negative. Am I risk-free from HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, I had protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex with CSW (Community sex worker) and for peace of mind, I tested with HIV fourth generation duo combo (Ag/Ab) test and RT PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) viral load test at 23 days from exposure. The fourth gener... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protected sex is safe as far as risk of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is concerned. Insertive or sex has a negligible risk of transmission of HIV. As far as testing is concerned, only a four-week fourth generation HIV screening test is considered reliable. Though eve... Read Full »
While on PEP, is HIV RNA PCR test conclusive?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 28 year old male and had unprotected anal-vaginal intercourse with a sex worker, me being the active partner. I was put on PEP immediately within 11 hours post exposure and the first dose of PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) was the tablet TLE (Tenofovir or Lamuvidine or Efavirenz), ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. Perhaps your question was not completely typed. Anyways, your PEP (Post - exposure Prophylaxis) regime of Tenofovir/Emtricitabine and Dolutegravir is recommended one. Continue with it for 28 days. As far as the HIV PCR RNA test is concerned i... Read Full »