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Avatar universal

Do I need to retest?

I had an unprotected sex with a girl around 10th of August, it was only vaginal. I made a test (H I V Combo (t1/O+t2+p24)) 2 months after the exposure, and the result is Negative.

I made the test like 8 weeks after exposure, and it was negative.
But I think it's the anxiety which is making the whole mess in my head :(

All in all, no need to retest, despite "all the symptoms" ? :)
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Avatar universal
yeah
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Avatar universal
Dear all,

All of you were right, the result is negative.

Most of us here suffer from anxiety and that's what is "killing us".

And the biggest mistake in my opinion is that we read about the symptoms on the Internet, and after that we are finding all those symptoms on our own body.

This forum is one of the best on the net, and it helps many people to find a correct and concise information about the risks of HIV.

Last thing, just read what the experts say (Vance, Sharkboy, Nursegirl, Clarkja...) and if needed reread all those (Move On, no risk, you're negative...) they are right! Trust them!

And of course, use condoms...

Cheers
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Avatar universal
There is lots of comment about the supposed sudden disappearance of p24 antigen at 28 days. This does not happen and the p24 element will remain elevated for at least 8 to 10 weeks and if you look hard enough it is present through the remainder of the illness.

P24 is a by-product of viral replication. As viral replication increases with initial infection then p24 is produced in huge amounts. As viral replication slows as your body hopefully attempts to regain control p24 will drop. However, the majority of people infected with HIV will develop antibdoies detectable by third generation tests at 4 weeks and over 99% by 6 weeks. 1st and 2nd generation HIV tests - still in use in certain parts of the world (including parts of the US until 2005) were poor, gave variable results and were unreliable.

Dr Sean Cummings
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480448 tn?1426948538
You didn't need more testing.  If you're experiencing anxiety, THAT is what needs addressed, not HIV.
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Avatar universal
I went for another testing because my anxiety killed me... The results would be done tomorrow and I'll write here about the results.

All of you suggest no need for further testing, but as I said, anxiety was a huge problem for me.

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Avatar universal
Antigen stays at high level until antibodies clear it out.

At 8 weeks, if antibodies are not there, antigens will still be.

4th Gen tests have reduced the window period by 4 week's.
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Avatar universal
Sorry to disagree with you Foxyfox, but 8 weeks for 4th Gen test (combo). is more than conclusive at 8 week's.
It 99.8% accurate at 4 week's.
If you post please keep up to date with new updates about the guidelines.
This comes fr CDC. BASHH and EAGA.
Best regard's.
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Avatar universal
MOVE ON
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Avatar universal
Yes, but 4 weeks is conclusive for duo/combo test, from the information available from the expert on the forum. Am I right?

Vance please answer.
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Avatar universal
8 weeks is not conclusive but its close to i believe 95% would test positive if you had virus. Your resoults wont change at week 12 be happy
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Avatar universal
What does that mean?
It's conclusive?
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Avatar universal
Doesn't matter because if it is the antigen part is useless at 8 weeks.
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Avatar universal
Please answer me if my test is 4th generation?

Does the word "Combo" + p24 means that the test is 4th generation and it's conclusive after 4 weeks?

As I mentioned I got tested 8 weeks after exposure and the result was negative.

My test was H I V Combo (t1/O+t2+p24).

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Avatar universal
I have doubt in my mind about the test. Whether it's "Combo" does it mean it's 4th generation?
I did the testing in a local lab, and I got the results like 2-3hrs after the test.
They took blood from my vein, it was not some kind of rapid test or so.

Sorry again for my anxiety, I'm re-reading the forum everyday, just to confirm that my results are conclusive... and I think I am not the only one doing this.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
My test is definitely 4th generation, isn't it?

I think here most of the people have bigger problem with their thoughts and anxiety... I am one of them.

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Avatar universal
It's like 100% that I am negative?
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Avatar universal
8 weeks is fine
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