Should I still be worried about STDs, even after two negative tests?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and will guide you in your case. I assume you are asking about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing. There are different types of HIV screening testing available to detect possible exposure to the virus

1) Nucleic acid tests (NAT) - A NAT can usually detect HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure.

2) Antigen/antibody tests - When this test is performed on blood, it usually detects HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.

3) Antibody tests - Antibody tests can take 23 to 90 days to detect HIV infection after exposure.

So each of the above tests has a different window period to detect the virus. You mentioned you took the test three months after suspected exposure, and the result was negative. Again you took the test after a year, and the result was negative. I hope you would have taken a fourth-generation test, a newer antigen/antibody test that is the most accurate preliminary test to detect the presence of the virus. A negative result on both occasions suggests that the test could not detect the presence of virus antigen and antibody. Hence, it is a true negative result because the fourth-generation test is above 99 percent accurate when the test is done after three months of suspected exposure. Two negative test result means you should not be worried about it and get relief from it, and I would suggest getting a medical opinion from sexual health clinic doctor too to have peace of mind.

I hope you find my reply helpful. Please follow up if you have any further related queries about it.

Take care.