8 week Antigen / Antibody Test

[Beninexpat]

Dear Sirs,
I recently had a 8 week antigen / antibody test for HIV. I was exposed in Benin West Africa during sex, the condom broke.
The Dr at the STD clinic in Spain tested me for Syphilis, Hep B, Hep C and HIV 1 and 2-all were negative. I asked if I needed to test again at 12 weeks and he said no owing to the fact that both the antigen and antibody tests were negative and that antibodies would be produced by the 8 week mark anyway. My question is this - does HIV 2 have te same window period a HIV 1?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Tanks for the clarification  This just serves to reinforce my agreement with the Spanish doctor.  I recommend no further testing and for you not to worry about the exposures.  the tests you've had tell you you are not infected.  EWH

[Beninexpat]

Dr,
My exposure was with a girl I met in a bar, no idea of her hostory etc - stupid I know. My Spanish Dr said the double negative antigen and antibody at 8 weeks was conclusive as anitbodies would be produced between 2 and 8 weeks and if not then the antigen test would pick up the antigens.

With ref to the HIV 2 I ave read that is it a slower progessing form of HIV thus the question regarding the time to seroconversion. The test in Spain tested for HIV 2 also.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As best we know, HIV-2 follows the same time line as HIV-1 although, to be honest, it is less well studied since it is so much less common than HIV-1.  You said nothing about the nature of your exposures to let me know just how at risk you might be but here's one more fact that might be helpful- at eight weeks over 98% of tests that are going to be positive will be, thus unless you are at extraordinarily high risk, my tendency is to agree with the Spanish MD and tell you that you have nothing to worry about and do not need further testing.  Hope this helps.  EWH

[tony845]

A related discussion, HIV - antibody and antigen was started.