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Is an HIV test after 36 days of exposure reliable?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a male. I have had a sore throat and no other symptoms after my first sexual experience, and we did not use protection. Day 10 after the occasion, I experienced a sore throat for the first time. I got tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes 1 and 2, and trichomonas. All were negative. 36 days later, after having a sore throat thrice, I received a full panel STD test with an anal and urethral swab. Everything was negative. I received an ag/ab HIV test, which was nonreactive. I received the HIV test drawn by vein. Would the test result be accurate enough not to worry about HIV? Will the STD result be accurate?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have checked your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and as you mentioned, they are negative only, and HIV is also non-reactive. So you should not be worried much. As you said, the sore throat you have is possibly you got it from the person you had contact with. He is also experiencing the same symptoms. A sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, which can be easily transmitted by close contact, such as kissing.

And all of your tests are negative only, so please do not stress yourself. If you still have a sore throat, then take the tablet Augmentin (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid) 625 mg twice a day for five days.

Please tell me, do you have any rashes in your mouth? Is there any swelling or redness inside the mouth? Do you have pain while swallowing? Do you have a runny nose or cough?

Please answer so I can prescribe you further medicine and help accordingly.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I developed what looks like Fordyce spots on my inner right cheek, possibly from oral sex. And the swab test produces negative results. My tonsil was swollen with lots of pain while swallowing. My soft palate at the back is red, and it is agitated and at the back of my throat but not in the oropharynx. I do not have a cough, but I do have seasonal allergies. So my nose is usually stuffy but not very runny. I am attaching the picture, and the discoloration of my tongue is due to coffee.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for attaching the picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I have checked, and it looks more likely due to bacterial infection.

Only inflammation is present. So do not worry, please take the medicine I prescribed.

Take for five days and let me know on follow up. If your symptoms persist, then you will go for further testing if required.

Please take multivitamin tablet 500 mg once a day after meal. Avoid oral sex for a few weeks until it completely heals. Drink lukewarm water only.

If anything else, please let me know.

Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.

Published At November 26, 2020
Reviewed AtJune 20, 2025

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