Hiv Testing

There are different tests available to detect HIV. They may test for antibodies alone or antibodies as well as p24 antigens from blood, saliva or urine of the person. While some tests may give immediate results, some require more time, up to a few weeks.

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I had diarrhea, dry cough, sore throat, and fever after unprotected oral sex, and tested negative for HIV. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I had unprotected oral sex with a guy, but he did not ejaculate. He penetrated me unprotected for about two minutes and then had put on a condom. After we were done, he removed the condom, cleaned himself, and penetrated again for about two minutes. I stopped him because he did not wea...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a fourth-generation dual test, a combined antigen and antibody test. The window period is the time during which the body responds to viruses and starts producing antibodies for defense, but de...  Read Full »

What tests should I do to confirm my HIV status?

Query: Hello doctor, I had sex with CSW and my condom got broken. I have started feeling symptoms and have a cold sore throat and rashes on my back. I had tested on the 22nd day and 95th day, both were antibody tests and got negative and my doctor asked me to retest after six months. I had read that 84 day...  Read Full »


Dr. Jeremy David O' Kennedy

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Regarding HIV infection, the window period (or period in which a person might test negative for the virus but actually be positive because of a delayed immune response) is typically between 21 and 60 days. There is however some evidence that it can be as long as 180 d...  Read Full »

I am anxious about HIV after unprotected oral sex with another man though my HIV PCR test results were negative. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I had unprotected oral sex with another man. I do not know if he is HIV positive or negative. He ejaculated in my mouth, and I spit it out immediately. Now, I am afraid of HIV. I took an HIV PCR test on the 16th day. The result revealed nothing was detected. However, I am anxious whether ...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. The chances of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission by single unprotected oral sex are almost impossible unless there are bleeding wounds in the oral cavity. Therefore, it is good that the HIV RNA (ribonucleic acid) PCR (polymerase ...  Read Full »

What are the tests used to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases?

Query: Hi doctor, I want to know about the tests to check for sexually transmitted disease or not? What kind of test should I go through, a blood test or urine test? Please state the procedure in the description.  Read Full »


Dr. Shrivastav Rajeev Chandrashekhar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Chlamydia and gonorrhea and other STD (Sexually transmitted disease) such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), syphilis, HPV (human papillomavirus), and hepatitis occur when: You are a sexually active girl or woman under age 25. You are a man who has sex with men. When...  Read Full »

What kind of muscle pain is associated with ARS?

Query: Hi, I am a 31 year old male. About 38 days before I had sex with a CSW (Commercial Social Worker). It was protected vaginal sex and protected oral sex. Also there were deep throat kisses which lasted almost a minute. I am not sure if the condom was torn during the intercourse.  Since last 3 weeks ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sidharth Sonthalia

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based upon your history, my answer to your questions: 1. Are My Symptoms Related to ARS? Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS) typically begins 7-14 days after the exposure to a HIV positive patient, and may last for up to 3-4 months. The symptoms are typically "flu-like" w...  Read Full »

I am worried about HIV or other STDs after unprotected sex. What can I do?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 33 year old male, who had unprotected sex yesterday. I was drunk, but now, I am worried about HIV or any STDs for that matter. I do not have medical access for the next three months, as I am on a ship. If I express my apprehensions, it may cost me my job. I do have Lamivudine and ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder Kaur Sachdeva

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We do not know the HIV status (human immunodeficiency virus) of the person with whom you had sex and also your baseline HIV status, the other thing you mentioned that you do not have medical access for next three months. Considering the availability of only Lamivudin...  Read Full »

Is there a possibility that I am infected with HIV even if all the HIV antibody tests return negative?

Query: Hello doctor, It has been 22 months since my last exposure to HIV. I had done the TRI-DOT test, and comb AIDS test eight months after exposure to HIV, but they were negative. However, I have been having symptoms such as slight ear pain and sore throat for the past six months. And also, I get cold ea...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. I understand your concern. If the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies test is negative after three months of last exposure, it is conclusive, provided there is no further risk exposure. The attached report (attachment removed to p...  Read Full »

I had protected sex, and later the serum card test for HIV came negative. Is this test enough to rule out the possibility of HIV?

Query: Hi doctor, I had protected sex, and the serum card test of HIV tested negative. Is it conclusive? I was diagnosed with hydrocele and a fever, and the doctor prescribed me antibiotics. He also advised me about CBC. CBC result shows high TLC. Is it due to an infection of the hydrocele? Do the antibiot...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder Kaur Sachdeva

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The answers to your questions are: Suppose it was protected sex, and the condom was used consistently and correctly. In that case, the risk of acquiring HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections) is ...  Read Full »

I am worried about HIV as I had a sexual encounter with a commercial sex worker. What should I do?

Query: Hi doctor,Last week I met a commercial sex worker. I do not know her HIV status. First, we both kissed, and then she came on my lap, and I did not insert my penis. Then we kissed again, she did a blow job, and I took a condom and did vaginal intercourse. Again, I had no cuts on my penis. After that,...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushma Shah

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. RNA PCR is only active on the 15th day. So your test needed to be more conclusive. Therefore, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) to be taken for 28 days. If you go for the next episode, you have to start PEP again if unprotected sex, vaginal...  Read Full »

I had a wound in my cuticle, and I came in contact with the blood from an HIV-positive person. Can I get HIV?

Query: Hi doctor, An HIV-positive person accidentally cut his finger and was bleeding. I helped this person fix a band-aid, but I forgot I had a cut on my cuticle. He has been on medications for the past three years, but I am afraid I will get HIV as his blood came in contact with my open wound. Kindly he...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. There would be a chance for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission if the open wound had contact with the infected blood. But, if there is no breach in the skin, or if the skin is intact, the virus cannot enter the host as intact skin...  Read Full »

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