POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: NshSteven78 on July 09, 2012, 04:47:28 pm
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Hi, I was wondering if someone could help assess my risk and testing odds. On 06/29 I received oral (no risk) and had unprotected sex. Here are the facts: I am circumcised. I was the insertive partner. I ejaculated inside of him. It was brief (no longer than 5 minutes). He is positive, but on medication.
I think my odds of infection are on the lower end of the spectrum, but this has definitely caused me to take a good look at my behaviors. It was a one off experience, but I knew better.
Based on the info that I found on the CDC website, I am planning on taking the DNA PCR test during the 4th week - and antibody tests at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. My question is, if the DNA PCR test at 4 weeks and the 6 week antibody tests both come back as non-reactive/negative - can I take that as a very good indication that the 3 month and 6 month tests will also come back as negative? Thanks for any info that you can provide!
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First off, your risk was on the lower end of the scale, and if your partner was on medication and had an undetectable viral load, it was next to nothing.
I do, however, understand your desire to test.
However, the gold standard for HIV testing has been three months, not six, for almost a decade. You do NOT need to test out to six months.
A test at the six week mark will be all but definitive.
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Thank you for the quick reply. In case others out there with the same type of risk read this, I want to clarify a couple of items so there isn't confusion.
The information that I quoted regarding the CDC is out of date. It's on their website stating to test at 3 months and 6 months. They don't mention a 6 week test that I could tell. The website also indicates an RNA test (I am having a DNA PCR test). I am assuming they are the same thing.
The newer antibody tests that are available these days allow for an initial test at 6 weeks. I just wanted to add that in here in case anyone else reads this post.
This website is definitely the best place for information, and it is appreciated more than you folks know.
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Like JK I expect you will likely test negative and the odds are significantly in your favor to get that result.
But you need to learn from this experience. Lower risk is not the same as no risk. You can have as much intercourse as you like and in either position. But you always need to do it the safer way. That means without exceptions the insertive partner has to wear a condom properly.
Good luck with coming through ok this time.