I had protected sex with a sex worker seven months back. Do I need to test HIV?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, I like to inform you that getting HIV while using condom/protection is very low and almost negligible. In other words, it can be stated that the chance is almost nil.

Regarding the test, I feel Elisa for HIV will be most suitable for you as the exposure occurred well before three months or exactly seven months. Testing is always better as it reveals the actual status.

You are right in saying that chance of getting HIV is very low from women to men and statistically speaking, only three individuals out of 1000 get HIV provided female partners was positive for the virus. As stated above, with condoms, even this three out of 1000 reduces to near nil.

I hope this helps.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The window period often lasts for a few weeks, but three months time is considered ideal to state whether the person acquired infection or otherwise. Since you are always tested with the fourth generation antigen-antibody test, I do not feel there is anything to worry about.

In my 15 years of medical practice, I am yet to see the conversion of negative tests to positive tests after the passage of three months, and existing literature supports my observation so far.

There is no such data to show that individuals become negative after two years of infection. Similarly, there is no support from literature about a year window period. Unfortunately, over the internet and blogs, anybody can write anything and before you read such things, make sure the scientific community authors them.

In case there is still doubt, a western blot test can be used as it is more specific and sensitive in comparison to antigen-antibody tests. If the western blot tests come out negative, forget about HIV, and focus on your life.

I hope this helps.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not think you need more tests for at least two encounters, which you mentioned above. It is right to move ahead as there is no more risk of HIV for you than the general population as long as there is no further high-risk exposure. We must understand that nothing is called 100% in science, but the available data reassures you that turning positive for HIV is near nil.

Regarding oral sex, the risk remains the same as in the penetrative sex, but it can be considered no risk as exposure occurred two years back.

I hope this helps.

Dear Samrat, Thanks for follow up. In regard to 4th generation HIV test the CDC claims that at 30 days post exposure if two tests are negative the person is negative for HIV. There is no evidence to suggest HIV conversion after 30 days of exposure. I think this answers your question to a large extent. For my own confirmation I checked various official website datas and not encountered even a single individual who tested positive after months of exposure. In this regard I also feel that complete abstinence from sex is out of fear and there is no substantial evidence in the favour of it. I also feel that there is no need for further testing. The most important thing here is to believe in the science and its usefulness rather than anything else. The excessive doubt and lot of questions in mind is the cause for excessive stress and need to be eliminated. I hope this answers you throughly. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.

Dear Samrat, Thanks for reverting back to me. I am glad to inform you that there is no data which shows HIV conversion after one year of possible exposure. With 4th generation HIV tests the conversion can be detected as early as 20 days and 90 days maximum time by which any person can be detected with HIV infection. Since it is almost 7 months and your 4th generation testes reported subsequently negative there is is nothing to worry. It is also important to keep this worry aside and stop ruminating about it. I hope this helps you further. Thanks again.

Dear Samrat, Thanks for follow up. I have gone through the attached details and image attached with last query. First of all in regard to last image /answer by expert I like to assure you that this is possible only in rarest of rare cases and with introduction of 4the generation testing no such evidence is available. The attached article also speaks about the third generation HIV test and holds little value in context of your query. As you know there is nothing called 100% accuracy in HIV testing but the tested parameters are sufficient to rule out possibility of HIV infection in your case. I hope this answers you further. Thanks and regards.