How reliable is a 12 week negative Oraquick test?

[mom_of_3]

I just want reassurance. I guess it's ok to move on but I want the peace of mind. First off, I've been lurking here for a while and I find the posts here very reassuring and I've even reccommended this site to worried wells in my situation. Here's my story, my husband cheated on me, it was unprotected vaginal with someone he met online. She claimed she was negative a month prior to that encounter. I wasn't exposed. Every time after that, we only had protected sex until 6 days ago, when he tested negative at 12weeks plus one day post that exposure at a free AIDS clinic with the Oraquick Advance rapid test.  I read in another resource that 12 weeks is conclusive anywhere outside the US. I know that blood tests are more accurate, but can I rely on the Oraquick at this time? He also has to get tested for HIV as part of a physical exam for the millitary in a little over a week. I'm a nursing mom and this is why I'm concerned. I respect and appreciate everybody's opinion here. Thanks.

[Ann]

M3,

Twelve weeks is fine and yes, Oraquick is reliable.

It would have been unusual for him to become infected from a one-time unprotected encounter so the odds were always in his favour anyway. If he's going to sleep with other women, he needs to be wearing a condom when he's doing it because it does only take one time. Which one time is going to be "the one" is what we don't know.

The window period for hiv is three months. You can rest assured your husband's military test will also return with a negative result.

Ann

[mom_of_3]

Thank you, he was just foolish enough to trust the word of a person he barely met. he hates condoms, anyway, this isnt gonna happen again and if it does, it's over. Thanks again, I think I can finally put this nightmare behind me.

[Andy Velez]

Just want to say I agree with Ann's comments. The Oraquick is an approved test.

Also, HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It's significantly harder to accomplish from female to male, so given this was a single incident, transmission would have been highly unlikely even IF the woman is HIV+. But low risk is not the same as no risk so it's excellent that he's tested negative. I daresay getting another negative when he does the routine checkup for the military will be additionally reassuring, but based on what you have reported I'd say he and you are in the clear this time.

Cheers,

[mom_of_3]

Thanks again, today I went ahead and got tested for more common STDs, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea at my GYN's office. They decided to include HIV as a precaution. I hated having to do that again but I'm sure I'll test negative for HIV since I have a higher chance of testing positive for the other STDs... This just hasn't been my year. My twin babies are the best thing that have come out of all this.

[Ann]

mom,

I'm sure you'll test negative - unless you have been having unprotected intercourse with someone other than your husband. Your husband is hiv negative and he can't infect you with something he does not have.

Ann