Is an HIV test after 98 days considered conclusive?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had unprotected sex with a CSW (community sex worker) four months back. She gave me oral sex, and then we had vaginal sex without a condom. I had done HIV 1 and HIV-2 antibody tests and a p24 antigen test on the 98th day after the exposure. Two weeks ago (on the 15th week, I had a fever, sore throat, headache, and muscle and joint pain). Since yesterday, I have had red rashes on the right side of my neck and muscle and joint pain. Please go through the test results.

Are these HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) rashes? Are my examinations conclusive, or should I test again? Any chance I might be positive later, as I plan to get married? Also, please suggest some medicine for rashes. I am taking a Finasteride tablet 1 mg daily for hair loss. Does this medicine delay seroconversion? Does any such case of delayed seroconversion occur after three months? Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is conclusive (attachment removed to protect patient identity). If there is no further exposure other than what you mentioned, no further test for HIV screening is required. There is no specific category of rash through which a diagnosis of HIV can be made. The only thing that can diagnose HIV is the test that you have already undergone.

A test performed on or after 90 days post-exposure is considered conclusive. I suggest you get tested for other STIs (sexually transmitted infections). This includes syphilis (a bacterial STI that progresses in stages if untreated), herpes simplex infections 1 and 2, gonorrhea (a bacterial STI causing discharge and pain), and hepatitis B (a viral liver infection that can become chronic) and C infections (a silent liver virus that may cause chronic damage).

It is unlikely that Finasteride will affect the HIV test result. Please also get a urine culture sensitivity test done along with serum vitamin D3 levels. Please get back with the above test reports so that the appropriate medicine can be advised. Keep the area dry.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You need to see the final interpretation of the test result. If there is no further exposure, your test results for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are conclusive. By three months, almost all infected develop a positive antibody response. This could be due to folliculitis. You should get the FNA (fine needle aspiration)test done if it is persistent. Your test results for HIV are conclusive if there is no further exposure. No more test for HIV is required in that case. Yes, relax your test result is negative for HIV. Get VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory test) for syphilis. No, three months test result is conclusive with recent test kits.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

This seems a hypothetical situation for HIV acquisition. There could be a shallow risk of the acquisition of HIV if there are fresh cuts, and this also depends on the quantity of milk taken. HIV can be transmitted through the HIV-infected lactating mother to her baby during breastfeeding. This acquisition risk depends on various factors, including the quantity of milk taken and the weakened immune system of the infant. According to your description, I assess your risk as low but not negligible. Providing PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) in such a scenario might be advisable.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.