Question
Is a HIV test accurate at 18 days?
20 September 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing.
Hello,
I had an exposure nearly 3 weeks ago, I wanted to get tested next Thursday at the 28 day mark. However stupidly I did something else 1 week ago. If I took my HIV test 15 days after an exposure that would not show anything would it? If I took it 18 days then confirmed it with another one after 2 weeks would that give me a good indication for my latest exposure?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
A test earlier that 28 days will no do you any harm, but it is not sensitive to tell you very much.
The fourth generation HIV tests will detect 95% of infections 4 weeks after an exposure. A fourth generation test 12 weeks after the exposure is needed to rule out the small chance that you take longer than 4 weeks to develop HIV antibodies.
For more information on HIV tests please follow this link
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Please note that i-Base no longer answer questions about HIV testing or HIV transmission.
I’m sorry but i-Base no longer answers individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This service is based on information relating to treatment of people who are HIV positive.
Information online
Most testing questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
https://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Our guide to HIV Testing and risks of sexual transmission guide has more detailed and easy to read information about these topics. It can be read online at this link:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
Worried about HIV?
If you are worried about a possible infection contact your local testing centre.
In the UK you can find your nearest clinic using the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/ServiceSearchAdditional.aspx?ServiceType=SexualHealthService
Understanding HIV test results:
If you do not understand results from an HIV test, please contact the centre where you were tested.
Worried about symptoms?
If you are concerned about any symptoms please contact a doctor.
Hi I really think I been exposed to HIV probably bout 2 three weeks ago and I badly want to get tested, but fear that my test wont be accurate because I might not have enough antibodies to develop a positive test. I’m so scared and paranoid I’m on internet trying to find out about HIV and about which HIV test can detected the earliest HIV testing.
Hello Amanda
I’m sorry but i-Base no longer answers individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This service is based on information relating to treatment of people who are HIV positive.
• Information online
Most testing questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
https://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Our guide to HIV Testing and risks of sexual transmission guide has more detailed and easy to read information about these topics. It can be read online at this link:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
• Worried about HIV?
If you are worried about a possible infection contact your local testing centre.
In the UK you can find your nearest clinic using the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/ServiceSearchAdditional.aspx?ServiceType=SexualHealthService
• Understanding HIV test results:
If you do not understand results from an HIV test, please contact the centre where you were tested.
• Worried about symptoms?
If you are concerned about any symptoms please contact a doctor.
Hi I think i have been exposed to HIV but am not sure. I made the guy wore a condom but I want to be on the safe sideIi got tested 25 days after and my blood test came back negative should I get tested again ?
i-Base no longer answers individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing. This is because information on both these subjects is now online in two resources:
A FAQ page on testing and transmission:
https://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
And a more detailed but easy to read guide to testing and sexual transmission:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing