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 Yvert, yes you can stop worrying. Both 4th generation antigen/antibody tests and rapid at home antibody tests are accurate after 3 months. Given that you have waited 5 you can be sure that your results are accurate.

  2. Yvert •

    I tested negative after 5 months, does it mean my results are conclusive and I have to stop worrying , please help .

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi B, any HIV test is accurate after 3 months. Your test is accurate and you are HIV negative.

  4. B •

    Hey I had sex with a woman without any safety I got some rash on my genital area after six months and I got tested for hiv the results are negative/non reactive. Does this mean I’m safe?

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Cake, getting tested regularly means checking often while you are sexually active. This may mean every 3 months or every 6. It depends how sexually active you are. Testing regularly helps to keep everyone safe. You will know your status and can keep having safe sex. 6 years after an exposure is not going to lead to being HIV positive. You do not have HIV.

  6. Cake •

    I kept seeing “get tested regularly” what does it mean? Do you test every 3 to 6 months after every exposure or does it mean get tested 3 to 6 months as you live?, Because I had a risky exposure back in Feb 2016 and got tested 3 months later and 6 months later Both are negative/non-reactive I’m worried because I didn’t manage to get tested after that. Here 6 years after exposure I got tested again and still non-reactive my anxiety was returned…

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Sunil, any test available will be conclusive after 3 months. As long as you have had no other risk exposures in that time you can take your tests to mean you are negative. You have not contracted HIV from having sex with this woman.

  8. Sunil •

    13 Time without condom sex with a HIV positive female and now 3 years completed can I am safe these exposers …some doctor say me hiv test can positive after 3 and 5 year after exposed…my 6 month elisa , 12 month duo combo, 16 month elisa and now 35 month rapid antibody all test is nagative so if any chance to hiv positive in future’ pl

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Nil, this means you are HIV negative.

  10. nil •

    After 8 years of exposure rapid test was non reactive
    That means m not having hiv?