Question
How accurate are rapid tests for HIV diagnosis?
26 March 2007. Related: All topics, HIV testing.
Hi, I have been having sex with my girlfriend for the past year and a half. The first few times we had unprotected sex. After that we started using condoms for birth control. We continued to have oral sex often.
Recently my girlfriend developed an ulcer in the clitoris. She then checked and tested positive for HIV-1, by a TriDot test and also by western blot. I myself have tested negative by TriDot as well as by DNA amplification tests. How can i really be sure that i am negative? Should i be taking any prophylaxis?
Answer
The Tri-Dot test is a rapid HIV antibody test that is very accurate and sensitive at detecting HIV infection. Getting a negative result means that you are HIV-negative.
If you have been potentially exposed to HIV over the 3 months before taking the test – I don’t think this is the case because you have been using condoms – then you could confirm this with another test in three months.
Your girlfriend will now need to have other blood tests including a CD4 test to check whether HIV has damaged her immune system and whether she needs to start treatment, and a viral load test if this is available in your country. She should also see a doctor about the ulcer.
You do not need to take any prophylaxis treatment for your own health, but you will need to make sure you continue to use a condom during sex.
The following link show results that show that the TriDot test has over 99.9% reliability.
I sucked my girl’s breast and since then I feel weak and my hair is pulling. And I have got tested, all is negative, 6 month result and test in 6m and 3weeks it is negative but am still having the weakness with hair pulling. What will I do now?
Sorry, i-Base no longer answer individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing. This is because information on both these subjects is now online in two resources:
A FAQ page on testing and transmission:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
And a more detailed but easy to read guide to testing and sexual transmission:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
i-Base no longer answer individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing. This is because information on both these subjects is now online in two resources:
A FAQ page on testing and transmission:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
And a more detailed but easy to read guide to testing and sexual transmission:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
I had sex with a sex worker with condom in 2009, but after 3 months I got frequent urination. Now in 2012 I am getting frequent loose stools and I am a little feverish. Could I be infected with HIV?
I kissed a guy when I had cuts in my mouth. I got tested for HIV 3 months prior the incident but the results came to be negative. Can this be positive after the next 3 months? Please explain.
If you tested negative after 86 days you do not have HIV.
hi,
I had an unprotected sex with a lady and got the rapid test done after 86 days of the encounter,which turned out to be negative.
I am still worried and not able to concentrate on things because I have taken the test before 90 days (3months) do I need to take the retest or am I negative?
Hello,
We are not doctors I’m afraid and so cannot help you. If you tested negative fro HIV then you do not have HIV. We are HIV treatment specialists only. You should maybe try and see another doctor to get a second opinion. Sorry we can’t be of more help.
Hi,
My symptoms are low grade fever, headache. 6 years ago I went to the doctor and he said that noting is there. He recommended a typhoid, malaria and urine test and all tests were normal. Please help me. I also tested for HIV (tridot test) and it is also negetive.
The tri-dot test is very accurate. For more information please follow this link.