Question
Can a person be infectious without being HIV-positive?
19 August 2011. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
What is an HIV carrier? Is it someone who tests negative even if he/she is positive?
Answer
The term doesn’t mean anything in the context of HIV.
If someone has HIV, they are potentially infectious. If someone does not have HIV then they are not.
Early after infection (usually in the first month or two) someone with HIV will have the virus and be very infectious. but they will not test HIV-positive.
This is because is takes about 4 weeks for most people to develop antibodies used for the HIV test. About 5% of people take longer to develop antibodies, but this usually happens within three months. This time is called the window period.
During the window period someone is very infectious.
You are wasting your time and money with these tests. A 4th generation (antigen/antibody) test 4 weeks after exposure will be able to detect about 95% of infections. A second test 90 days after the exposure will detect more than 99.99% of infections. Your symptoms are not related to HIV.
Dear Expert,
Following tests i have taken since my exposure on 3rd and 15th October 2010.These are :
3rd week -ELISA rapid test
2 5th week -ECLIA test
3 7th week – ECLIA test
4 9th week – ECLIA test
5 11th week- ECLIA test
,6 83rd day- ECLIA test
7 90 days – TRIODT test
8 97 days-ECLIA test
10 108 days-DUO test(Antibody test+Antigen Test)
11 138 days-ECLIA test
12 167 days-EIA rapid test
13 197 days-ECLIA test
14 221 days-ECLIA test
15 265 days-ECLIA test
16 312 days-ECLIA test
All the tests are taken after last exposure on 15th October 2010.The symptoms i had experienced like rashes on face lasted 4 days after 2 weeks from exposure,neck shoulder pain,weight loss of 10 Kgs,dizziness.All happened after 2 weeks of 15th October. The dizziness and elbow pain is still there after 312 days..I have taken 16 HIV tests till 10.5 months. Please do let me know am i safe now.Do i need to continue testing. I take one ayurveda tablet to control of my diabities.Do the pill can affect HIV test result? Pl answer iam sick of taking HIV tests
A negative result 90 days after an exposure is interpreted that you are HIV-negative. You are worrying too much about this. You do not have HIV and do not need to test again if you have not have further risks.
I have taken tests at 83 days,90 days,97 days 108 days,221 days and 265 days post last exposure i.e 9 months.The tests were called ECLIA test expect at 108 days was the DUO test.But i am still worried with dizziness,elbow pain and discomfort behind ears.Occasionally some portion behind ears swell a little.t stays for 2-3 days then it comes back to normal.I am fed up of taking HIV tests and living with fear.Pl suggest am i safe? Do i need further testing. My exposure was unprotected oral and vaginal on 3rd and 15th October.
Regards