However, Scared, I disagree with Hunter on this one. The standard recommendation is to test at 13 weeks AFTER the completion of PEP. It is NOT necessary to re-test at 6 months.
From what you have described of the incident which started your concern I would still expect you to test negative again. But HIV status is never something to guess about. After having gone through PEP it doesn't make sense to me to leave any doubts about your status.
So re-test in a month from your latest test and collect what I expect will be another negative result.
Cheers,
scareddude21:
Okay so today Thursday April 12th I took a 20 min Rapid HIV orasure test (they take oral samples to see if you have HIV antibodies) and it came out NEGATIVE. It has been 4 months since my exposure from a known source, and 3 months since the conclusion of PEP. Can i FINALLY rest assured that I am HIV-NEG. the only reason why I ask is simply because I asked one of the "experts" on "thebody.com" and he basically said that the guidelines suggest a 6 month conclusive test following exposure from a source that is significant to warrant PEP.
Is he just being anal?
Mostly everyone else says 3 months is conclusive and the CDC website says 97% of people test positive after 3 months.
Please send me some comments..Im trying to put this whole situation behind me.
Ann:
scared,
Three months is sufficient in your case. You ARE hiv negative.
For an explanation of the PEP thing, check out this thread in the CSI forum:
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=9056.0
The six month testing is only used for occupational exposures. It is ultraconservative and remains in place as a "cover your ass" policy and is tied up with health and safety regs. It does NOT apply in your (or any other) sexual exposure case.
You ARE hiv negative. Please ensure condoms are being used for anal (or vaginal) intercourse in future and you will stay that way.