Do people lie about their HIV status? #randomness

[Hushhush]

If you could just answer my general question id appreciate it but I plan on retesting for hiv (rapid finger prick test) at the end of this week due to an unprotected encounter that happened on 4/18/2014. The condom broke. Anyway- I've been hearing different things about when I should go get tested, somebody told me 26 days was too early, so I went back at 31 days and had another test. Then I heard 31 days was too early and to go at 6 weeks. So I will return to my local clinic in Atlanta and get another test. I heard that 8 weeks is conclusive. I've also heard that 4 weeks is 99% accurate using a unigold rapid test. *sighs* I'm going crazy. Btw I'm testing to see if I caught hiv.

Thanks

[Jeff G]

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. Most who are infected will test positive by 6 weeks. For various reasons a small number will take longer and that is why we follow the CDC recommendation to test at 3 months for a conclusive negative result.


Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

[Hushhush]

Thanks. But could u respond to the topic question? Do people lie about their hiv status? And I also asked is the unigold rapid test 99% accurate at 4 weeks?

[Jeff G]

Thanks. But could u respond to the topic question? Do people lie about their hiv status? And I also asked is the unigold rapid test 99% accurate at 4 weeks?

Yes ... some people lie about their status just like they lie about all kinds of other things. This is not a forum to discuss things like that, we do risk assessments in this specific forum ... I can't imagine why you need to ask such a question but there is no need to reply and waste your last free question  .

There are no shortcuts to HIV testing and ALL test must be confirmed at 3 months or 12 weeks .

[Ann]

Hush,

Sure, some people will lie about their hiv status. However, it's more often people who only THINK they are hiv negative - but are actually hiv positive - who are 50% responsible for hiv transmission. They are only 50% responsible because the other 50% of the responsibility lies with the other person who also didn't insist on using a condom.

Serosorting for (allegedly) hiv negative people (only having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with other {allegedly} negative people) really only works in the context of a mutually monogamous relationship where both have tested negative together.

Outside of that context, you're taking a risk any time you take someone's word for it that they're hiv negative. They might honestly believe they're negative, but are positive and just aren't  aware of that little detail.

Wise up and use condoms, correctly and consistently - meaning every time you have anal or vaginal intercourse regardless of what the other person tells you - and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann