Comments

1. prakash • 18 September 2007 9:45 am

   Dear sir
   I had sex with in March, exactly 6 monhs ago, and I have undergone the Tridot test in May and in July. Both times I got negative results. In November I am going to marry. Kindly tell me if there are any chances of getting HIV in the future. Do I require one more test now? How many month does this antibody take to appear in the body.

2. Simon Collins • 24 September 2007 9:53 am

   If you have not been exposed to HIV for the last 6 months, then these test results show that you are HIV-negative. Most people produce antibodies to HIV well within three months so you do not need to repeat the test.

   Perhaps your future husband should also have an HIV test, so that you are not at risk there.

   Your risk of catching HIV in the future will depend not just on having safer sex with your partners, but on whether you husband has any risk of catching HIV outside your marriage.

3. Sunil • 10 October 2007 3:34 pm

   If I was under the influence of alcohol the previous night before the HIV test, would that influence the result in anyway or is the result conclusive?

4. Simon Collins • 10 October 2007 11:24 pm

   No, alcohol does not affect the results of an HIV antibody test.

5. Sunil • 23 October 2007 11:13 am

   Hi,
   I recently had protected sex with a woman who I paid to have sex with me where I touched her. I’m concerned because I might have removed the condom without washing my hands and in the process touching my penis. Am I at risk? Please advise.

6. Simon Collins • 1 November 2007 10:53 am

   No. You are worrying too much.

   Try reading the questions on the avert website to learn more about risks of transmission.

7. hari • 10 November 2007 2:09 pm

   I met a sexwork at least one year ago. I tested 3 times with the Tri-dot test and the results were negative. Is this correct?

8. hari • 10 November 2007 2:11 pm

   i wore a single condom which didn’t break & slip but I worry there were holes.

9. Simon Collins • 12 November 2007 12:09 pm

   A negative test means you are HIV-negative.

   Condoms do not have holes.

   A condom will protect you from catching HIV in the future.

10. hari • 19 January 2008 11:39 am

    how many months do u know in blood correct…& how many months do u know symptoms ………………..
    what r the symptom
    plzzzzzzzz……….answer

11. Simon Collins • 19 January 2008 12:16 pm

    See the answer to this question at this link:
    http://www.i-base.info/qa/?p=257

12. Rey • 2 March 2008 2:18 am

    I had sex with a women and i don’t remember if it was protected or not. 6 months after I had sex I went for a HIV test at the Gum Clinic where the nurse took blood from my arm (vein) the next day i got my result and i was negative. Is the Result accurate or do i need another test?
    Thank you

13. Simon Collins • 2 March 2008 8:43 am

    A negative result after 6 months means that you are HIV-negative.

    You do not need another test.

14. rajesh • 23 November 2008 10:45 am

    Sir,

    7 months back I had a sex with a sex worker, but have tested myself by tridots as well as with 2 other tests and I got negative HIV results. I am worried, as I got boils in my penis-there are 2 or 3 there. I do not have itching or anything.

15. Svilen Konov • 28 November 2008 12:01 pm

    Firstly, not every sex worker is HIV-positive by default. In the majority of the cases the sex workers are well better educated about the STDs than the general population and know how to protect themselves.
    If your tests have been negative and you did not have any further exposure to HIV afterwards, then you are negative.
    As for the problems with your penis-this needs to be seen by a doctor.

16. Rohit • 5 December 2008 7:56 pm

    Dear sir,

    I never had sex with anyone but one year before I was very close to my friend who is infected with HIV. Later on, I discovered this and I got tested with Tridot test and results were negetive, but some people says Tridot is not vey acurate. Is it necessary to have any other test, please answer……

17. Svilen Konov • 6 December 2008 7:59 pm

    Tripod is perfectly accurate. Then, you cannot get infected just by being close to somebody who is HIV-positive. You shouldnot worry.

18. trun • 9 December 2008 12:55 pm

    Dear sir,
    3 months ago I had a sex with a sex worker, but have tested myself by Tridot as well as with 2 other tests and I got negative HIV results. Is the result accurate or do I need another test?

19. Svilen Konov • 17 December 2008 11:49 am

    The results are accurate. We, however, advise everybody with an active sexual life to get tested regularly-say every 6 months.

20. vijay • 17 March 2010 9:35 am

    About 10 years ago I indulged in unprotected sex. Since then I have suffered from flu-like symptoms. I got my blood tested using the signal card test. It was negative. I heard the signal card test is not too accurate so I gave a blood sample for ELISA testing for HIV-1 and HIV-2. The results said “Mr X’s blood was found to be non-reactive for HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses”. In the end it mentioned that “the word non-reactive does not completely rule out the infection of HIV it depends on window period which lasts from 3 weeks to 3 months” what does this mean? I am worried about this am I normal?

21. Charlotte Walker • 17 March 2010 10:28 am

    Thank you for your question. The window period is the time between HIV entering your body and your immune system generating a response to HIV. It is this response that is measured in the ELISA test. Everybody is different and so everybody’s immune system is slightly different. Some people make an immune response very quickly after about 3 weeks whilst others take a lot longer, about 3 months. The results of your test are saying that you are HIV negative. They are also saying that if you were infected very recently (less than 3 months ago) then it is possible this test would not have picked up the infection. It sounds like you were at risk 10 years ago and so if the test is negative now and you have not put yourself at risk in the last 3 months then you are HIV negative. Best wishes.

22. SIDDHARTH • 25 March 2010 6:55 am

    Hi,

    I had sex with a sex worker. It was a big mistake. I used condoms. It was my first time. However, I kissed her that day. I feel very guilty about it.

    After 3 days I went for a HIV test and was found to be HIV negative. Is the test alright or do I have to go for another test? Is AIDS spread by kissing or saliva? I had no cuts in my mouth but I had root canal surgery 2 years ago. Is it alright?

    I am very upset, please let me know.

23. Charlotte Walker • 26 March 2010 2:59 pm

    Thank you for your question.

    It is not possible to get HIV through kissing or saliva. If you had sex and used a condom then you would not have been exposed to HIV so you do not need to worry.

24. naeem • 3 April 2010 10:30 am

    Hi
    I had sex with a sex worker and I was wearing a condom but I don’t remember what happened after that so I decided to take a rapid test for HIV. The event happened on 8th September 2009 and I took a test on 8th December 2009. The test was non-reactive. On 8th March 2010 the result was again non-reactive. On 20th March I took another test and it was also non-reactive. Should I take another test or it is ok?

    I am married and I have a 7 month-old child. This was the first time I had done something wrong. My wife was pregnant and I had not had sex for 4 months. Please help I don’t know what to do.

25. Charlotte Walker • 7 April 2010 11:11 am

    Thank you for your question. HIV tests are usually reliable. If you used a condom and took 3 HIV tests all of which were HIV negative then you do not have HIV.

26. suresh • 16 April 2010 5:25 pm

    A tridot test which came out positive for HIV 1 antibodies done in standard lab turned out to be HIV negative when using an ELISA test. How much can I rely on these results?

27. Charlotte Walker • 17 April 2010 3:06 pm

    If you have have had one negative and one positive result you should visit your doctor for confirmatory results. False negatives or false positives are extremely rare but possible. Confirmatory testing will help to determine if you have HIV or not.

28. ali • 20 April 2010 10:00 am

    Hi
    I had unprotected sex with a sex worker but it was for only 1 or 2 minutes. When I reached my satisfaction I came out of her vagina and ejaculated. I didn’t have any cuts on my penis. This was a mistake by me. I was drunk and I don’t know how I ended up doing this. I am married and I have a very happy married life. I have children also. My wife had gone out for a week when this event happened so I took a rapid tridot test after 90 days which was non-reactive
    and then I took one 180 days after the event. The result was non-reactive. Do I need to take a another test and is the tridot test ok? Please tell me, I am very scared

29. Charlotte Walker • 20 April 2010 3:58 pm

    Thank you for your question.

    If you have taken two tests and both were non-reactive for HIV then you are HIV negative. You do not need another test unless you expose yourself to HIV infection again.

30. JAMES • 22 April 2010 11:25 am

    Hi, I am married over 7 years before marriage I tested HIV – NEGATIVE but my wife did not test. I have been a regular blood doner and have never had problems. Since our seven years ago we have been having unprotected sex. Recently I went for a health check up & recommended my wife does the same.

    The doctor advise she does pup smear and blood test. The doctor picked up some abnomalities and advised she does HIV test. The result came HIV+ POSITIVE. We immidiately retested including myself with CD4count Mine came HIV- but my wife came back HIV+ POSITIVE.

    I am not sure how true the results are. On the 12.04.2010 she was tested and it came positive.On 16.04.2010 she retested with a CD4 count to determine the viral load and she came positive again and my test came negative. the doctor advised me to retest in 3 months time but my wife must start treatment immediately.

    She is not Sick, She has no sign of sickness we just went to the doctor just to check beacuse we are planning to have a baby. We have been together 7 years and been faithfaithful to each other. Is it possible that she was HIV+ POSITIVE all this nime?

    She has been on Medication for Endometriosis and they were suspect an ovarian cancer how do I know the results are not false because of the medication possibility of cancer etc

31. Simon Collins • 22 April 2010 11:36 am

    Hi James

    Thank you for your email.

    Your partner could easily have already been HIV-positive for the last seven years, without having known about this, especially is she is generally well and without symptoms.

    HIV for some people is a very slowly progressive infection, and if someone has not tested regularly, or at all, then the first time they find out is often when they become very sick and the illness is advanced. In the UK, 25% of people still do not have symptoms or need treatment even 10 years after infection, though 25% progress much faster and need treatment within 2 years. So in this your wife has just been lucky, and also that she has found out before she became seriously ill.

    The treatment now should also help her live for many more years. Treatment will also help ensure that the baby does not catch HIV.

    The HIV test is very accurate and can;t be affected by other illnesses, because it is testing for an immune response that is specific to HIV.

    I’m sorry that this must still be a shock for you, but I hope you get help and support to come through this together, to continue to plan your family.

    best wishes

    Simon

32. mohsin • 26 April 2010 6:14 am

    Hi,

    I had sex with a sex worker 11 months ago. I remember I wore a condom. I had a Tri-Dot test on 4th April 2010. The result was non-reactive. Is the test accurate or should I go for another test?

    I also had jaundice when I took the Tri-Dot test. Will this affect the result?

    I had a test for hepatitis B and it was non-reative

    I also have a circumcised penis. Is this an advantage against sexually transmitted infections?

    Please help

33. Charlotte Walker • 27 April 2010 5:08 pm

    Thank you for your question.

    The Tri-Dot test is very accurate 3-4 weeks after exposure. If you test was non-reactive it means you do not have HIV. Having jaundice when you tested for HIV should have no effect on the result.

    Being circumcised may mean you are at a lower risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but it is still possible to get a STI with a circumcised penis.

    For more information on HIV transmission and testing please follow this link.

34. wick • 8 May 2010 12:00 pm

    Hi

    I was sexually abused by my elder cousin’s brother when I was in 8th standard. He inserted his penis in my anus. He also gave me oral sex. As I got older and became more aware of it. I got tested for HIV 2.5 years after the incident when I donated blood. I again got tested for HIV 1.5 years after the first test. I have again been tested for HIV 7 years after 8th class. All results were negative.

    My mind is not accepting this. I am spoiling my career! If u can help me, Please do as I want to end this thinking.

35. Charlotte Walker • 14 May 2010 12:25 pm

    Hello,

    I am so sorry to hear you were abused as a child. Realising what happened to you must surely be very upsetting. Have you managed to speak to anyone about your abuse such as a counsellor or an understanding friend or relative?

    If you have had three negative HIV tests since the incident and have not put yourself at risk of HIV during this time then you do not have HIV.

    To stop yourself worrying about HIV and to help you move on from this ordeal maybe you should find someone to talk to about this. As with every instance of abuse, talking to a professional about your experience may help you learn how to put it behind you and focus on your future and your career.

    Good luck!

36. Ajay • 19 May 2010 5:53 am

    Hi,
    I had sex with a girl 16 months ago. A month ago I took a Tri Dot rapid test and was found negative. To confirm again I took a Tri Dot rapid test and was again negative. Is this reliable? Please advise me as I am very frightened. Thank You

37. Ajay • 20 May 2010 10:46 am

    Are the Rapid Cord test and Rapid Tri Dot test the same? I took this test which they call the Rapid Cord test. It was plastic with markings like C and 1 and 2. Is the result of this test accurate if the test was taken a year after having unprotected sex?

38. Charlotte Walker • 21 May 2010 2:01 pm

    The Tri Dot test is very reliable (over 99%) for more information please follow this link.

39. Charlotte Walker • 21 May 2010 2:11 pm

    I have not heard of the rapid cord test but it sounds the same as the other rapid tests for HIV. There are lots of tests out there with slightly different names. If you took the test a year after unprotected sex then the results are accurate.

40. jagan • 3 June 2010 8:53 am

    Hi,

    About 6 years ago I had sex with a sex worker. I have suffered from mild fever ever since. After 6 years I got my blood for tested for HIV using the Tri dot test. The result was negative. Is the tri dot test is ok? Please give me reply.

41. Charlotte Walker • 3 June 2010 3:30 pm

    The tri-dot test is very accurate. For more information please follow this link.

42. jagan • 5 June 2010 6:57 am

    Hi,
    My symptoms are low grade fever, headache. 6 years ago I went to the doctor and he said that noting is there. He recommended a typhoid, malaria and urine test and all tests were normal. Please help me. I also tested for HIV (tridot test) and it is also negetive.

43. Charlotte Walker • 11 June 2010 4:21 pm

    Hello,
    We are not doctors I’m afraid and so cannot help you. If you tested negative fro HIV then you do not have HIV. We are HIV treatment specialists only. You should maybe try and see another doctor to get a second opinion. Sorry we can’t be of more help.

44. kishore • 18 June 2010 1:37 pm

    hi,

    I had an unprotected sex with a lady and got the rapid test done after 86 days of the encounter,which turned out to be negative.

    I am still worried and not able to concentrate on things because I have taken the test before 90 days (3months) do I need to take the retest or am I negative?

45. Charlotte Walker • 22 June 2010 3:35 pm

    If you tested negative after 86 days you do not have HIV.