Question

Does a non-reactive test after 6 months mean I am HIV negative?

25 March 2008. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.

i had sexual exposure in august 2007. i went for antibody test at the end of three month and the result was non-reactive.

i went for antibody test at the end of six month and the result was non-reactive again.

After the incident in august2007 i have not involved myself in any risky behaviour .
is this result reliable enough to consider myself hiv negative. do i need further testing?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Non-reactive 6 months after exposure means that you are HIV negative.

You do not need another test.

Ple\se see this link for more info:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844

176 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Shin, no you do not require any further tests. Your results are conclusive. You do not have HIV and do not require any further tests.

    The symptoms you are experiencing are not the result of HIV.

    Please see here for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  2. Shin •

    Hi, May i ask if do i need to get tested again, my last test was in may 31 2024 and it came non reactive.
    December 7,2023 did an unprotected sex
    May 2, 2024 got positive of chlamydia and has history of hsv 1 but negative in hiv
    May 31, 2024 hiv ag/ab combo test non reactive
    As of now june 17, 2024 i feel slight headache, sore throat, joint pain.

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Simon, this result is conclusive. You do not have HIV and require no further tests.

    More information about HIV testing can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing

  4. SIMON •

    DOES NON REACTIVE AFTER 5 MONTHS MEAN HIV NEGATIVE? THE EXPOSURE WAS SINCE 26TH DECEMBER 2023 AND SEVERAL TESTS SHOW NO REACTIVE. THE LAS TEST WAS ON THE 22ND OF MAY 2024

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Radhe, by protected do you mean you used a condom? If this is the case there is no risk of transmission.

    Please see here for more information about transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  6. Radhe •

    I did protected sexuall activitiy ( properly), can I get hiv from source ?

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi ShaSha, congratulations on your pregnancy. Have you had this test result confirmed? and has your husband tested?

    As you have not had any risk factors in the last 8 years it is advised to have another test. Have you been told to start treatment yet? and has testing been offered to your kids?

    You can see here for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/guides/testing

  8. ShaSha •

    We’ve been married for 8 years and we are our only sexual partners on that span of time. We have 2 kids and 1 on the way. For my first 2 kid’s aged 7 and 1 routine lab test, i came back non reactive for HIV but now for my 3rd they told me i’m reactive. I can vouch that we are our only sexual partners and we did not have any exposure between within that 8 years. How high is the chance I’m HIV positive? i’m worried about my kids as i have breast fed them and still breast feeding the 1 year old. Should i get another test?

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Rajvinder, a PCR viral load test is the most common test. This will be offered at your local HIV clinic. There is no one viral load test that is better than another. The biggest factor for choosing is usually what is most easily accessible to you.

    Did you have a viral load test when you were first diagnosed?

  10. Rajvinder •

    I was positive for HiV six months ago ,but now i want to do viral load test ,which test is better to do?