Question
Could I have HIV-2?
16 December 2007. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Hi there. I wondered if you can help me? I came into contact with HIV-2 in May 2005 and had an HIV antibody test for HIV-1 and HIV-2 in March 2006. Would this test show if I had caught HIV-2 (apologies if this is a silly question I’m just in a bit of a muddle after reading a confusing post on another website).
Look forward to hearing you response. Keep up the good work!
Answer
Hi, thanks for the question. It is not silly. It is only normal to worry.
Yes, the test would show whether you had HIV-2. To put yourself at peace, you may decide to go for a test now in 2007. It will be totally accurate.
The tests look for both HIV-1 and HIV-2
Hi just a quick question I had sex about 8 years ago with some girl and I have been tested a couple of months back for HIV 3 times and they all came back negative I live in the UK does the HIV test detect just HIV-1 or does it check for both HIV-1 and HIV-2?
Thank you for your question.
If you tested negative both times and did not expose yourself to HIV in the 12 weeks before testing then these tests mean that you are HIV negative. If you had HIV they would have shown positive.
In 2006 I was tested for HIV and 6 to 8 months later was tested again. Both tests came out negative. Would it have shown positive if I had HIV?
The difference between HIV-1 and HIV-2 has been answered twice before.
Check out the answers at these links:
Answer 1
Answer 2
Your doctor can confirm which virus you have – and it is likely to be HIV-1 in South Africa.
If your GP recognises that you have symptoms that they are unable to diagnose, they should refer you to someone who can. A referral is especially important if they think it could be related to something you picked up abroad.
Whatever is causing this, and your GP says it is something real, then under the NHS you should be refeered to a specialist in that area.
Sorry not to be able to help more.