POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: never_ever_gain on October 20, 2013, 10:43:22 pm
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Hello,
I am straight female and had a drunken one-night-stand 9 weeks ago with some guy I didn't know.
I know he put on a condom but the things is, it fell off. I was too drunk to know at what point it fell off and although it may have happened that he ejaculated in it and I'm safe, there is also the big chance that he ejaculated inside me (he was too drunk to know too, though he knew for sure he ejaculated).
Of course now I'm extremely paranoid and anxious.
Here's the facts/questions I have:
1) I have shown no symptoms (no flue, no fatigue, no nothing), though I know not all HIV cases start out with symptoms.
2) I got tested just a few days ago (between the 8th and 9th week after exposure) with a Clearview Complete 1/2 test. It came out negative. What are the chances that this is a false negative? How accurate is this test at 8 weeks?
3) I will be getting tested again tomorrow (officially at 9 weeks) at a clinic that performs both Rapid and NAAT (nucleic acid amplification testing) tests. My question is about the NAAT.
I know this test looks for the virus itself, not the antibodies, which is why it can be performed sooner than most tests. My concern, however, stems from the fact that I've read these tests are so sensitive that false positives are not uncommon. As of 2013, just how accurate is the NAAT test results and how (un)common are false positives? Do you guys know of anyone or any statistics of people who have gotten false positive results with the NAAT test?
4) I read most people seroconvert on average about 25 days after exposure, but that there are cases in which it may take up to 6 months. What factors influence a long seroconversion time? In other words, why do some people take so long? I guess I'm asking this to get some reassurance that I would fall within the average seroconvesion time.
Thank you so much in advance.
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The testing window period for HIV is 6 weeks post exposure and again at 3 months for a conclusive or definitive result . Your test at 3 months is the cdc guideline , not 6 months .
Its highly unlikely for a negative 6 week test to come positive . You tested at 9 weeks and you should fully expect a negative teat at 3 months .
If I were you I would simply wait and test at 3 months and save the money and time of over testing . The bottom line is you have to have that 3 month confirmatory test no matter what test they perform between now and then . Since you must test at 3 months and have already tested negative at 9 weeks I would just wait and test at 3 months and expect it to be negative also .
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Thanks for calming me down.
I'm still going to take the NAAT test this week because this clinic actually provides it free of charge and according to what they say on their website, such test should be definitely able to pick up on any HIV in my body at this point in time (if I had it), so I figured "why not?" I guess I was just wondering about its accuracy in terms of false positive results just in case my results came out +.
As far as the 3-month mark, I will definitely be getting tested then just to make it official. Although I have to ask, when you say three months do you mean 12 weeks (84 days) of actually 3 months (90-93 days)? Or does it not matter?
Also, one last question, is there any difference in terms of accuracy in rapid tests vs non-rapid?
Thanks so much again!
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Never,
Although I have to ask, when you say three months do you mean 12 weeks (84 days) of actually 3 months (90-93 days)? Or does it not matter?
It doesn't matter. Twelve weeks is conclusive and the debate over twelve weeks or thirteen weeks is unnecessary splitting hairs.
Also, one last question, is there any difference in terms of accuracy in rapid tests vs non-rapid?
No. They are both conclusive at three months and both rarely change after six weeks.
You are highly unlikely to go on to test hiv positive after your eight week negative result. I'm with Jeff - don't bother with the NAAT testing. You may not be paying for it, but someone IS - ultimately the tax payer (ultimately you) or insurance companies (again, ultmately you). Why waste resources when you don't need to?
Also, any hiv diagnostic tests can return false positive results and this is why you would still need further testing - hiv antibody testing at three months for a negative or antibody and WB testing for a positive, to be precise - to know your hiv status for certain.
Ann
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Update: I took the final test at 12 weeks and it came out negative :D
Before I move on however, I really want to thank you for your advice and calming words. They really helped at time of great anxiety. I also want to say I really admire and respect everything you do to spread HIV awareness and to educate people.
I myself have learned a HUGE deal about it through your website and forums. Thanks again.
I wish more people became more educated about HIV in general, although it seems to be the sad case that many of us don't fully pay attention to the facts until after we have a scare.
Either way, thanks again and I wish you the very best.
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You are very welcome and I am happy you can now move on without fear .