Common "Fourth Generation Hiv Test" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Fourth Generation Hiv Test

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease which is caused by human immunodeficiency virus. There are various tests to detect the presence of HIV antigens/antibodies. These tests have evolved over time. A fourth-generation test identifies HIV antibodies as well as p24 antigens from the sample. Therefore, this test is more sensitive and helps identify the infection much earlier than a third generation test.

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Eventhough I did not penetrate, is there a risk for HIV?

Query: Hi doctor,I recently had a contact with a sex worker. I am sure that there was no penetration at all, but I am worried since I was not wearing a condom. Is there any risk for HIV? Do her secretions contain virus? I am very scared. Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Nidhi Jain

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, if there is contact of her secretion with your glans, then you are at risk. Can you tell me the exact date on which exposure happens in order to tell you the right test? Revert back with the answer to the above question to a sexologist online --> https://www.icli...  Read Full »

I had unprotected sex. Am I at STD risk?

Query: Hi doctor, I am circumcised and have no sexually transmitted disease. I had an unprotected penile to vaginal exposure. It took less than ten minutes; I had used a condom but it broke within the last two minutes. I did not ejaculate, but took a shower and urinated after the incident. She said she wa...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, I appreciate you signing up on icliniq.com. You now have exclusive access to expert medical opinion. The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by single unprotected intercourse are low. Condom breaks can be considered almost as unprotected intercourse. In your scenario...  Read Full »

I have a sore on my tongue and irritation in my throat. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, I had an infection before seven months. I got HSV1 (Herpes Simplex Virus). I was given Acyclovir 200 mg taken five times a day for five days and then they increased my dosage to 400 mg to be taken for five times a day for 10 days. After my Acyclovir course ended, I did an RNA (Ribonucleic...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I wish to clear some important points before answering your questions. Regarding HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infection and treatment: The HSV will remain in your body and it is not completely treated as it is a genetic material. It will be present in the cells and get rea...  Read Full »

Is the HIV DNA PCR test accurate after 14 days?

Query: Hello doctor, Would the HIV DNA PCR tests at 14 days and fourth generation test at four weeks be reliable if it is negative? Symptoms as of now are joint pains since two to three months and sometimes a headache. I am a heavy alcohol drinker and smoker too. Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. DNA PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a highly reliable test. The fourth generation is considered conclusive at four weeks after the last exposure. Hence if your tests are negative at this point, you could totally relax and take off the doubt of HIV (human immunodefi...  Read Full »

I have fatigue, increased saliva and throat pain months after unprotected sex. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I had unprotected sex with a sex worker three and a half months ago. Two months later, I started having ARS symptoms, fatigue, diarrhea, dizziness, sore throat, and mouth ulcers. Just a day before that I had protected sex with a sex worker but my penis was not fully erect and did not in...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. First, HIV symptoms are non-specific and are common to most infections and are referred to as flu-like symptoms. HIV infection symptoms in the acute phase often go undetected and are self-healed without any active intervention due to an intact immune system. These sympt...  Read Full »

I got cold after having protected sex. Is it due to HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, About six weeks ago, I had protected sex with a male. About two weeks later, I developed a cold, which got better. Now, I have been feeling random zings (not really painful) in my armpit. I have also got five “pimples” in a cluster on my back. Do I need to be worried about HIV?  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protected sex is safe and there is no risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Having cold or flu is not a specific symptom or sign of HIV. Cold is otherwise very common in the general population and is not a reason to suspect HIV. For pimples, I would suggest you u...  Read Full »

Can p24 antigen test detect HIV early?

Query: Hi doctor, Before 19 days, I had protected sex with a part-time sex worker and freaked out after the incident. I am worried about any possible infection that could happen. I did a p24 antigen test. The results are p24 antigen on fourth day-0.125, sixth day-0.254, ninth day-0.271, twelfth day-0.274, ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ramchandra Lamba

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, the titer of p24 is increased, but still, it is below the threshold value of being positive. Also, your PCR RNA done after two weeks is also negative. Your HIV 1 and HIV 2 tests done on the nineteenth day is also negative. It indicates that you do not have any inf...  Read Full »

My HIV self test came positive. What shall I do? Kindly guide

Query: Hello doctor, I tested with a third generation test which was a self-test using a finger prick. It was called a sure-check HIV self-test. I could not interpret the result, as I saw the control line, but as for the test line, it was not there. I only saw the shade of it, or maybe an actual red color ...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com I read your query and understand your concern. The HIV fourth generation antibodies test negative result after six months last exposure is conclusive provided there is no further risk exposure. There is no need for further HIV tests. I hope this helps. Thank you.   Read Full »

Could I be having HIV even if my test reports are 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 »

How accurate is the HIV combo test after 35 days?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 35-year-old male. I had unprotected oral sex with a girl. Her HIV status is unknown. After oral sex, we had vaginal intercourse with a condom. After 14 days of that incident, I had a negative PCR test, and the HIV combo test is also negative. And after 35 days, I repeated the c...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by single unprotected intercourse with an HIV-positive person are low. It is good that you had negative HIV and PCR after 14 days and negative HIV antibodies test after 30 da...  Read Full »

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