Question
I have had 24 negative HIV tests in a year do you still think I have HIV?
27 September 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.
Having taken 24 HIV tests over a 12 month period your assistance is needed. I experienced hot sweats, weight loss and a white tongue after having a condom break during sex. I have taken 24 HIV tests many of which were well passed the 3 month and 6 month windows. My tongue still has the white coating thus tests have continued. Please advise if antibodies can form late (after 12 months) and what are your thoughts on PCR test vs antibody tests which I have been taking. Thanks for your help
Answer
Thank you for your question.
This is an excessive use of HIV tests and indicates a clinical preoccupation with this worry that you needs to speak to your doctor about.
Having 24 negative HIV tests shows that you do not have HIV. Two tests would have been enough.
It is not possible that you have HIV and it is not picked up on any of these tests regardless of the type of test and especially if they were after 3 months. Most people make antibodies before after about 6 weeks with a small percentage taking up to 3 months.
For more information on the different tests please follow this link.
Your symptoms are not a result of HIV. Please see your doctor and explain to him/her about the symptoms you are experiencing so they can investigate further what is causing these symptoms. You may also want to seek some professional counselling if you have had 24 negative tests in a 12 month period and you are still thinking you have HIV.
Thanks again for your help.
The ICMA test is good at detecting early infections. At 13 months it will work the same as an ELISA test. After 13 months of testing you do not have HIV. You need to move on. You do not need to test again. The white coating on your tongue and your other symptoms can be caused by many different things. You do not have HIV.