Question
Is a negative test after three months accurate?
16 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.
Hi, I had sex with a girl. Five weeks (37 days) after the exposure, I got HIV test and the result was negative. 91 days after exposure I got HIV test again for confirmation, the result is negative.
My questions are:
1. Does it mean that I am really HIV negative?
2. Should I get HIV test again next December 2007 (6 months after exposure)?
Answer
Yes, after this time the results are very accurate.
To question #1: Unless you had another exposure risk during the 91 days period, then yes, the test shows that you are HIV negative.
To question #2: In very rare cases it takes more than 40 days for the body to develop antibodies to HIV that can be picked up by the test. That is why it is a good idea to test again three months after the possible risk, even though the chances of a positive result then are very small.
This question was updated in January 2018 from an original answer posted in October 2007. i-Base no longer answers individual questions about testing and transmission – please see: Question 1 at this link for more information).
Hi Raj,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
During sex condom damaged.after 6month I did anti HIV IFA 1’2 test it’s showing negative.but still am afraid about this , again I want to do test or not because I feel like a early symptoms
Hi Andrew,
If your tests are non-reactive this means you don’t have HIV. Please see Q 1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
pls I had sex with a girl november last year weeks later I discovered traces of gonorhea which I used doxycycline for the treatment . this year January I begin to feel the symptoms again with slight fever weight loss,sore throat and diarrhea. went to a gynecologist February 21 for HIV test and the result states HIV non reactive. but still I am afraid.
Hi Jay,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi I posted a while ago on this site because I had a few questions. On the 17th of January 2017, my wife and I went for testing. We did the 1st finger prick test, her’s reacted and mine did not. She did the confirmatory finger prick and the result was reactive again. I then asked for a 2nd test also and it was non reactive again. We also took blood samples to be sent to the lab for al ELISA test and she was diagnosed as HIV positive, mine came back negative again and I was told to return after 3months. On the 2nd of March(last week Friday), I bought a home finger prick test and tested myself and it still did not react(I think that made it 6 weeks). I would like to what are the chances of testing postive after testing negative at 6weeks? I am so confused because since the festive season I fell sick with what stomach ulcers andam losing weight, I have had a ring worm on my foot that is stubborn. Can I be sick with the virus and still be testing negative?
Thanks a lot for this site
Hi Bika,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I tested hiv test on day 126 (week 18) negative results using 4th generation (ag / ab).
question:
1. do I have to do the test again at month 6
2. activities that I do hand job by masseur
Hi Anonymous,
Please see Q’s 1 and 8 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I tested for HIV and it was a weakly positive.I don’t understand what it means, and for how long does it take for HIV to be detected?