9.7 weeks negative 4th gen Duo

[scaredsenseless85]

On June 12th I had unprotected sex with a heterosexual male of unknown status (I am female) and on June 29 or 30th I had unprotected sex with my partner. On July 20th I took a 4th gen duo (39 days for episode one 20 for episode two) the results were non reactive. I took a second 4th gen duo test on Sept 5th ( 12 weeks for episode one and 9.7 weeks for episode two). On Sept 7th, I found brown fluid on my right palm (no open areas although I did have a small cuticle peel on my right thumb), I immediately washed my hands, but I'm worried that it may have been blood or spread while washing my hands. My doctor is telling me that I'm too worried and my negative result is conclusive. He refuses to give me another 4th gen duo to confirm my second episode at 12 weeks. Am I ok?

[worriesome2017]

According to the latest CDC guidelines on HIV testing, with duo 4th generation test after 45 days you can be confident about your negative result to stop worrying. But always, always practice safer sex with using condoms consistently and correctly.

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you for posting this link! I feel as though I owe my doctor and everyone around me an apology, I've been searching the web to the point of obsession bc I'm so worried about this. No wonder my doctor has told me I'm ok. Thanks again!

[AnxiousNoMore]

Also delayed seroconversion is an old myth, that has been disproven.

[scaredsenseless85]

Hi Anxious, is there a place I can read about delayed seroconversion being a myth? I think it would help my anxiety going forward.

[CurfewX]

You need to speak to a professional regarding your anxiety.  You won't find anything about delayed seroconversion, because it does not happen.  No one is going to write about something that doesn't happen.

It is time to forget about this incident and move on.  If you cannot do that by yourself, therapy is in order.  The first step is to stop searching the internet for evidence that you might have HIV.  You do not.

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you Curfew, as stated in my comment below from yesterday, I do indeed have a therapy appointment scheduled for next week. I posted two concerns that are fueling this anxiety. I know darn well you and the other professionals of this site would NEVER tell a person they're ok if they indeed are not. I am trying to move on. I appreciate your candid advice and believe me, it is being taken. Getting off the internet is going to be hard but I'm so scared thanks to my doctor telling me to come back in six months.
Scaredsenseless85

[AnxiousNoMore]

You can find actual cases of people dying from a thumbtack injury in the hand that clotted to the brain every year. You don't wear steel gloves all day to protect against that very real risk, and this is just one example of real risks we face but ignore otherwise there is no quality of life.
If you Google you will never find peace because someone has died from just about anything and someone else thinks he friend died from the rest, so stopping Googling it is the first step to getting rid of unnecessary medical fears.

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you Anxious. I'm really trying to be logical and realize that no one would tell me I'm fine if I'm not. I wish I had never started searching the internet in the first place. Logically, I know I'm ok, it's getting out of my fear of the six month thing.

[AnxiousNoMore]

Maybe you should make a plan to do something else (that is away from your computer) in advance of a Google urge, so that whenever the urge comes you just head to another room or outdoors and do the pre-planned activity instead.

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you anxious, I think that's actually a really good idea. I'm also trying to avoid triggers that send me into my anxiety thus Google. I will try to think of something that will distract me until I see the therapist next week. Do you have any suggestions?

[scaredsenseless85]

Hello all, I wanted to stop in and give a brief update. First and foremost thank you for the advice and support. I ended up going back to my original gyn practice where they not only gave me the SAME facts you all presented, but also told me that while testing at six months is an option some take, they don't deem it necessary as the test I took is very reliable six weeks and beyond. I then called my GP for clarification and he explained that it's practice policy to suggest retesting at six months just in case someone new to the practice comes in without their past records. Basically, as you all stated, I was worrying way beyond perspective. I am in therapy, and I feel that in a few months I should be in a great place mentally. To all the people who may stumble across this post, read the US CDC guidelines in regards to AB/AG testing, trust your physicians, they aren't going to tell you things to please you, their answers are based on science not your comfort level, and always always take precautions in the future. The stress, guilt, and worry just aren't worth it. I will re-post in January with my results to reassure other worriers out there that these tests indeed don't change beyond six weeks. Thanks again! warmest regards, scaredsenseless =)

[RubyWitch]

I'll add my two cents which is the same as everybody who has already responded. You are conclusively negative and nothing is going to change that status. Seeking some therapy now is your best option to keep this from turning into a seriously full blown phobia. Therapy and educating yourself about HIV and safe sex will definitely help your fears. We all wish you the best.
RW

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you Ruby, I have mentioned that I'm seeking help bc like you, Curfew, and Anxious, I do believe professional help is in order. Thank you for the reassurance of my status and your well wishes. It is very appreciated!

[Psyntax_error]

Your result won't change.  Your doc is probably being conservative or telling you what he learnt a few years back.  Testing technologies have come a long way.  I think you must accept your result and move on. I havent seen any 6 week negative turning otherwise in the last 11 years.  You can't be the first one. It is time to move on bud.

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you! As I posted a few times, I'm seeking help. This obsession is not normal nor is ignoring scientific facts or the updated CDC protocol especially bc the CDC has always taken a conservative stance on testing. Thanks for the support for a nut job like me. It's so appreciated

[Psyntax_error]

4 Gen Duo is warranted at 28 days post exposure.  After 28 days,  when administered on a 4th gen duo - It's just a standard 3rd gen antibody test. The antigen part of the test is pretty much void as the body wouldn't produce any p24 ag at that juncture for detection.

However,  a negative at 9 week is very indicative.  I dont see the result changing ahead.

[scaredsenseless85]

This is the first I'm hearing of a 4th gen being a 3rd gen essentially after 28 days. Can this be read on the CDC or health and human services websites?

[CurfewX]

You won't find that exact info on the CDC website, because it's basic logic - the DUO test looks for antibodies PLUS the p24 antigen.  The 3rd generation test looks only for the antibodies.  Antigens start to drop off around 28 days, so several months later, those antigens are gone, rendering the antigen detection portion of the 4th gen test useless.

The test is highly sensitive, and you should trust your results and your doctor.

[scaredsenseless85]

I am trying my hardest to move on, my main if only concern being my doctors advice to retest at six months to be 100% sure I'm negative. I 1) feel obligated to retest and 2) fear that my result will change at that time.  I respect all the advice and am thankful for the insight you all have given. I have a therapy appointment scheduled for next week because I feel that this fear is consuming me. I know logically I'm ok, but it's always in the back of my head. Thank you for reaching out, I truly appreciate it!

[scaredsenseless85]

I would still like to know the exact window period of a 4thgen duo as of Sep. 2017

[AnxiousNoMore]

You are ok, and your doctor is right that it is time to move on. HIV is instantly inactivated in air which is why the only non-sex risk for an adult is sharing needles that you inject with, so you don't have to worry about your cuts from now on.

[scaredsenseless85]

Thank you so much! I think the blood thing was worrying me the most because how unfortunate would it be to get this far in testing and have something like that happen? This makes me take a deep sigh of relief!

[scaredsenseless85]

Hi AnxiousNoMore,

I have one last question for you seeing as how you are a senior member. What is the exact point that a 4th gen duo without a doubt conclusive? It's not that I don't trust worriesome's response but he is a new member. That, and my doctor said that if I want to be 100% sure that I'm negative to retest in January. Why would he say that? Am I negative now or am I going to seroconvert later? I'm really trying to let this go and have scheduled a therapy appointment on the 12th, but I'm terrified that when I go in January someone's going to say I'm positive. Needless to say, I haven't been active since the end of June, nor do I plan to be because this scare has sent me over the edge in a big way. Please respond with the most updated window period so I can sleep peacefully tonight. Thank you in advance!