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 Tshepo,
If you’ve has conflicting results you will need to have another test. If its possible ask to have a viral load test.
I tested positive but the confirmation test said negative which one is the correct one?
Hi Emmanuel,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I get tested for hiv 1 months three weeks after sleeping wit an unknown girl and the result was Negative, Doctor wat is the remedy for my headache and weight loss, sometimes i feel internal body heat. What is the problem doc?
Hi Bongiwe,
False positives do happen. Therefore, if you are unsure of your status you should have another test.
I tested in January this year and it was negative. I’ve now just tested again and its positive. Could this be a false positive?
Hi Mike,
If you keep testing negative, then that means you don’t have HIV. Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Please help me doctor
I had unprotected sex 3months after 1 months I started having fever that has lasted 3months
I have taken many drugs but it keeps on getting worse
I have gone for hiv test 4 times the results was negative
Pls help I’m worried
Hi Ali,
If you’ve tested negative then you are negative. Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hello doctor, please answer me I am very worry it’s about life of four people.
5 months ago I did my biggest mistake in my life by having sex with a sex worker in Montreal Canada, (condom broken) and later I knew she is hiv positive. I tested 7 times (EIA test) during this time which fist test was after 2 months exposure and last one was 2 days ago. All come negative but I am very worry because of symptoms, I have all symptoms like fever, sore throat, rush, lymph nodes more than 10 in my neck, my tongue become white after 8 weeks the exposure with ulcer and some times herpes (makes me very scare) , nausea, weigh lost 10 kg , no energy , curving my nails and etc and also my wife and my 3 years old some and my one year my daughter she has the symptoms, that make me very sad that how is possible I infected my kids and even my wife because I always used condom, please help me know what should I do, my kids are my life I can’t see them sick, is any one come positive after six months test, as my test was negative at 5 months, is any chance of false negative after months,is any other test that show infection because maybe my body don’t produce antibody to show in antibodies test, please help me and my poor family thanks and one thing else is any other sickness that has symptoms like hiv that we test it. Thank you again