Question
Can I get HIV from being in the same room as infected blood?
30 July 2010. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Hi there,
I have a question which I am so stuck on. I had an exposure with an object in a hospital- waiting room section. Where I live there are people from all backgrounds etc.
I wanted to have a PCR test done next week in Birmingham, firstly could you please advice me where they do this test with a good turn around for results. And if they check for all types of HIV I believe there is HIV-1 and HIV-2 and any other ones.
Secondly you say that a HIV test at 28 days is good enough does this check for all HIV strains. And the usual 3-month test they say is reliable at 6 weeks, for a good indication.
If I cannot have a HIV test done with the PCR, can I do a HIV antibody test at 2 weeks, for some indication then another one after 28days? As I read somewhere on here people start to show symptoms around 2-12 weeks after.
Sorry by doing the PCR test do I need to follow with a HIV DUO test?
So for example if I had a PCR test done on 2nd August, then on the 28th would a 28 dup be ok? Or would I need to add 28 days on to the 7 already gone, Sorry for the questions…
Answer
Thank you for your question.
You cannot get HIV from an object in the hospital waiting room. It does not matter about the backgrounds of the people using the hospital waiting room. Not unless you decide to have unprotected sex, which I’m assuming is unlikely.
All HIV tests check for all strains of HIV-1 and HIV-2. Not many clinics in the UK offer the PCR tests anymore. They prefer to use the fourth generation HIV tests such as DUO or p24 tests which look for both the virus itself (antigens) and the individual’s immune system (antibodies). These tests tend to be more accurate and are available 2-3 weeks after exposure.
If you had a test on the 28 August your results would give a good indication that you do not have HIV. UK guidelines (BASHH) recommed that a negative test at 90 days is considered conclusive. If you are wanting to get tested in and around Birmingham then you can go to any sexual health clinic. The Heartlands Hospital has a good GUM clinic which offers HIV testing.
For more information please follow this link
With regards to symptoms, some people don’t show any symptoms, some people start to show symptoms anywhere between 2-3 weeks after infection. For further information please follow this link