I need advice...am I beyond the window period or do I need to be retested...

[needtruth]

  I first decided that I should test myself to make sure that i was negative, now though I keep getting scared that my results are innacurate.  I tested myself using oraquick almost, four times (starting in October)  after my last sexual exposure, which was with a condom in July (23rd), the test results all came back negative.  I tested this amount of times because I was worried that "I could be doing the test wrong or be in the window period", as thats what the oraquick pamphlet said about why the accuracy could be wrong.  Then I called in the hotline verifying my results and they said if i wasn't confident with my results I should be tested at a clinic.  So I got tested at free HIV/AIDS mobile unit in Brooklyn, on 11/28/2012 using the Clearview Complete Rapid HIV 1/2 test, the test results came back negative.  I retested on 1/17/2013 (177 DAYS), this was done at a free HIV/AIDS mobile unit in Brooklyn, done using the Orasure rapid test, after the CDC hotline said 3 months and 6 months were the best times.  

Are these results conclusively negative, because I keep reading that sometimes it takes more than 6 months due to severe immune deficiency. Are the rapid test as accurate as the blood draw?  And do I need to test again?  

Is the rapid Clearview Complete HIV 1/2 type of testing as accurate a blood test and does it test for all the different types of HIV?  I have not been intimate since july with my partner because of this...

[Teak]

No the CDC doesn't say that at all.

http://www.cdc.gov/globalaids/Resources/pmtct-care/docs/TM/Module_6TM.pdf
Page 11
#4
  In an adult, a positive HIV antibody test result means that the person is infected, a person with a negative or inconclusive result may be in the “window for 4 to 6 weeks but occasionally up to 3 months after HIV exposure. Persons at high risk who initially test negative should be retested 3 months after exposure to confirm results

[Teak]

The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test can give you accurate results 3 months from exposure. Most people will develop antibodies to HIV within this period of time.
If you test within 3 months of possible exposure and the result is negative, you may want to repeat the test at least 3 months after the possible exposure.
Ninety-seven (97) percent of people develop antibodies within the first 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months.

[needtruth]

So that means I am conclusively negative right... because my last sexual encounter was July 23rd, tested multiple times up until November(4 mos) and then tested again last week (about 6 mos)? All negative so should I be retested using a blood draw...for more accuracy, or maybe I am being paranoid?

[Vance2335]

The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test can give you accurate results 3 months from exposure

[needtruth]

So now that I was tested at 177 days at a free health clinic using the oraquick method, should i get retested again or would this last test suffice?  

Is it possible that Ab's have not developed yet or is this highly unlikely?

Also, are the rapid test that I have taken,(Clearview Complete 1/2, and the Orasure HIV 1/2 test with HIV health care advocates)  as accurate as the blood draw test?



Thank you Teak for the CDC information, I called the AIDS hotline, and the telephone operator said 6 months, but now I see three months.  

[Vance2335]

I think you have a problem reading because 3 months has been posted 3 times to you. But you will not give up asking the same question again and again.

[nursegirl6572]

It doesn't sound like you ever even HAD a risk for HIV at all!

3 months is conclusive, you've tested beyond the window period...you do NOT have HIV, conclusively.

From now on....if you have a risk (unprotected vaginal or anal sex, or share IV drugs)...to test, you test 3 months from the date of exposure.  That will be conclusive.  End of story...quite simple no?

6 months is old and outdated info.  The window period was reduced to 3 months many years ago.