HomeAnswersInternal Medicinehiv testingWill new HIV antibodies form whenever fresh HIV exposure happens?

Will new HIV antibodies be produced every time reinfection happens?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At March 18, 2022
Reviewed AtNovember 2, 2022

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Will new HIV antibodies form whenever fresh exposure happens? If first exposure caused infection and if I took a test after second exposure, which one will HIV test pick up first or the second one? Please help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

When a person with established HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection acquires a second strain of HIV, then it is called superinfection or reinfection. Cases of superinfection or reinfection have been reported very less, and exact prevalence is unknown. On entry of HIV, our body produces antibodies against it, which we detect as one of the blood tests. If it is the same strain of HIV infection occur again like the initial HIV strain, there would be an increased and fast antibody production in lesser time, but such a scenario is very rare because a person who already knows the HIV status as positive will avoid contact with known HIV person and also to avoid the risk of transmission of HIV from that person to another non-HIV person. There are two types of HIV. Each type of HIV is divided into groups. Each group is further divided into subtypes. Answering your second question: If the person has established and diagnosed HIV disease test, would pick antibody-like before because one does not know what type, subtype, and strain of HIV reinfection has occurred or not. As I mentioned above, the exact prevalence of such superinfection is not known. If it happens, superinfection can impact HIV treatment.

I hope this helps.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply. Will new HIV antibodies be produced every time reinfection happens? Please help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The reinfection in itself is rare and you are asking about every time reinfection with HIV. It is an experimental or assumption question. If someone is really facing any doubt of reinfection please visit the nearby STD (sexually transmitted diseases) clinic in your area because there is a chance of resistance to the ART (antiretroviral therapy) treatment given to the patient.

I hope this helps.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat
Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Family Physician

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