Q and A

Question

Does ‘non-reactive’ mean I am HIV negative?

I am 24 years old. I had sex 9 months ago with my boyfriend and I am now going to get married to someone else. I was afraid of getting HIV, so I got myself tested at Ranbaxy laboratory Amritsar after 8 months, and the result was non reactive.

They performed rapid card test, but know i fear that they had used an already used syringe. They used the vaccum system to collect my blood sample. please tell me whether the this type of syringe can be reused and am i infected with HIV or is it just my fear?

Answer

Non-reactive means the result is HIV negative.

However the blood was collected, you are still HIV negative. Ranbaxy labs would not re-use syringes.

Please see Questions 1 and 8 at this link for more information.

This answer was updated in January 2018 from an original Q&A posted in August 2007.

155 comments

  1. Rebecca McDowall

    I’m sorry that i-base no longer answer individual questions about the risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.

    This is because information on both these subjects are now online in two resources:

    Your questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
    http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing

    Also this detailed and easy to read guide:
    http://i-base.info/guides/testing

  2. frederick

    I slept with a girl last year since then i began to fear that i have HIV. i have tested for HIV 5 times and all is non reactive just last weak I and my girl want for the test together and the result is non reactive but am always afraid that I have HIV please help me to remove my mind from this

  3. Rebecca McDowall

    Hello,

    It is not possible for the HIV virus to dissapear. It is most likely that the tests which were used on your friend were either faulty or not properly conducted. It is important that your friend doesn’t stop taking ARVs and if he is worried about this he should talk to his doctor.

  4. Anonymous

    A friend tested HIV positive two years ago and have been on anti-retroviral drugs for two years. Just yesterday he went for another HIV test and received a test result written HIV 1/2 negative(non-reactive) the test was conducted twice and the same result came up. Does this mean he never had HIV or the HIV virus has disappeared?

  5. Angelina Namiba

    I

  6. Simon Collins

    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. Your question is answered on these pages.

    A FAQ page on testing and transmission:
    http://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

  7. rahman

    Can HIV be tested in you immediately you have had unprotected sex with an HIV person.example immediately after sex u got tested.

  8. Rebecca McDowall

    Sorry but i-Base no longer answer 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:
    http://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

  9. Rebecca McDowall

    i-Base no longer answer 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:
    http://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

  10. mizosh

    Hi. I paid a woman for sex and the condom broke! At the week 6 my test was non-reactive.
    At the week 10 I again tested and the result was non-reactive also.
    I think I have some symptoms that my Dr always said you don’t!
    How much should I continue testing?
    Is it accurate testing by ECL method?
    The result was ready in 2 hours! Is it kind of rapid test?