Question
How accurate is an HIV test after 14 days?
2 January 2017. Related: All topics, HIV testing.
Hi
I am really scared to take a HIV test. I feel sick every single day. I got drunk one night and had unprotected sex – this was 22nd August, then a week later I did the same thing.
My friend advised me of this website – I have plucked up some courage and plan to attend the clinic in 2 weeks. This would outrule my past exposures however would only be 18 days or 19 depending which day I go from the last one. I read a website freedom health and it says on there that a 28 test is good and conclusive with the p24 test, also a test preformed after 14 days is a good indicator?
I wanted to ask you myself if i take a test at 18 -19 days is this a good sign I do plan to re take it again beginning of October.
Many thanks
Steven
Answer
Hi Steven,
Thank you for your question.
Testing for HIV is easy – it is not scary. It sounds more that you are worried and anxious because of the chance of HIV.
The only way to put your mind at rest is to test. About 99% of tests in the UK are negative – HIV is a difficult virus to catch. Getting a test with help you feel more in control and will also give you the chance to talk to a health work about any other questions..
Fourth generation HIV tests that include a p24 test can pick up an infection after 16 days in some people and will pick up 95% of infections 4 weeks after an exposure.
So even though you are soon after the risk, UK guidelines recommend testing now, and then again four weeks later. If the first test is negative, this is a good sign that will help put your mind at rest.
This link has more information about different HIV tests.
https://i-base.info/qa/257
Note: This answer was updated in January 2017 from a question first posted in September 2010.
Hello. I had the 4th gen test done at 38 days. The results was negative. I took another 4th gen test at 45 days. The results was negative. Should i continue to test if i think im having hiv symptoms. Plz plz help
Hi Mercy,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I had sex with an old friend on the 12/31/2016, I was a bit drunk. We didn’t use a condom.
Hi John,
Please see quesiton one here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
what percentage of infected individual is detected after 28 days by Elisa third generation?
Hi Tebogo,
Please see question one here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
If your ex girlfriend is on treatment and undetectable, then the risk of you contracting HIV is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
I was in a serious relationship with my ex girlfriend in which we ddnt use protection. after we broke up she told me that she is hiv positive it has been 40 days since i last slept with her and I did home hiv test which showed negative. I am not sure if I put enough blood on the test so my question is…can hiv test show if there was not enough blood on it?
Hi John, please see Q1 at this link:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I had an unprotected sex with a female who I asked to have an HIV test afterwards. she said the first test showed negative and a second test done same day showed REACTIVE. I have been so worried since I had a little bruises on my penis from a previous romance which didn’t involve penetration. I do have regular test which always show negative. 1 week after my affair with the lady I went for a test which showed negative. please am I safe?
Hi Charlie,
Ok thanks for the information, as I booked my test Tuesday I changed it to Thursday so that’s 3 weeks – then I will just get retested a week later. Will keep you updated thanks for the advice.
Steve