Best / fastest testing protocol

[falk10012]

I'm a man, and I had a one-time encounter with another man whose status I don't know about a week ago. He gave me fellatio to completion, and I gave him fellatio, but he did not ejaculate, and I don't think there was precum. We didn't use condoms.

I know from reading the forums here that my risk for HIV is zero, and let me add that I think you all do a great service to get the real information out there.

I know this isn't a general STI forum, but I'm looking for advice on the most appropriate time to be tested for all the other infections I could have from this encounter, and what tests you might recommend. I want to be sure I don't pass anything along to others, and I'm interested for peace of mind.

For future reference, I'm also curious about the HIV RNA test mentioned here: The site says you can take it 9 to 11 days after infection, but I can't find any data about accuracy. Can anyone point me to some up-to-date information on this test? It seems like it could be a good way to put one's mind at ease.

[Jeff G]

The testing window period is between pretty much the same as HIV for a comprehensive essay . 

We are familiar with the RNA test so I removed the link from your post because it contains outdated information . There is no shortcuts to HIV testing , the window period for HIV testing is 6 weeks past any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results . The test at 6 months mentioned in your link is years out of date .

   

[falk10012]

Thank you for the very quick reply on the question about most STDs. I will shoot for 25 days to be safe.

I promise I will not belabor this (this will be my last reply), but are there any links to information about the RNA test not working or whatnot?

Is it just a scam that testing companies use to get money? I notice it's fairly expensive.

Any more insight you or anyone else could provide would be much appreciated. I always like to be armed with the latest, correct information.

And, thanks again. You guys are awesome.

[Jeff G]

If you look I edited my reply to you for accuracy .... Its best to test for STDS as far out as 13 weeks for some conditions such as syphilis .

The RNA test can have false positive results and are expensive , so I cant see why you would consider going that route in light of the fact you didn't have a risk . I did read you wanted the info for next time perhaps .

The Elsa or rapid test detect antibody's or lack of them and the RNA looks for the strands of the DNA of the virus . The down side is its an expensive test that must be backed up with an Elsa or rapid test at 6 weeks and again at 3 months to confirm the results any way , so why bother .

[jkinatl2]

It's sometimes hard to provide the best possible links for our sources because a lot of the science is behind paywalls. But here are a few corroborating links regarding RNA testing for HIV:

http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/hiv-aids-screening

http://www.aidsvancouver.org/what-we-do/helpline/online/hiv-pcr-rna-false-positive-possibly-due-non-hiv-viruses

Basically the RNA test is meant for health professionals (and non-hypochondriacs) who ave identified the moment of possible exposure. It skews towards sensitivity rather than specificity, meaning it will ring up a false positive between three and five percent. Compare that to the ELISA test one takes at six weeks and three months, which though it ALSO skews towards sensitivity over specificity, that rate of false positive is usually less than one percent AND can be verified/nullified with a Western Blot test.

The Western Blot test skews towards specificity, and is ONLY used to confirm/negate a positive ELISA test.

The RNA test is also, as you noted, really expensive. And many people who test for no-risk situations tend to distrust even the three month ELISA test, and are not satisfied with the RNA test regardless. It's an awful lot of money for a test that, if you think (despite science) that you might have been infected, you will not trust until you test with the approved tests at the approved time at any rate.

And that, of course, presumes that even a three month ELISA is enough for people who are Worried Well. Often, the RNA test is the lip of a testing rabbit hole, and people often come here, fall in, and never escape.

It's really unfortunate when that happens.

[Ann]

falk,

In addition to what the guys (quite correctly) have already told you, there simply are NO short-cuts to hiv testing. It won't matter what result you get on an RNA test, you will still need to confirm that result with antibody and (if positive) Western Blot testing. Not only can you get false positive RNA tests, you can also get false negative RNA tests.

RNA tests are expensive because they're complicated, time-consuming laboratory procedures. They are what's used to track the viral load in positive patients.

This is all moot in your case anyway as you didn't have a risk to begin with, unless you have absolutely terrible oral health (think meth-mouth) and the person you blew had an extremely high viral load. He didn't even cum so really, what are you worrying about?

However, it sounds as though you're not in the habit of regular sexual health screening. You need to change that.

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!

Ann