4th generation duo test (lab based) in 2022

[swapnil5110]

I had a potential exposure to hiv (via unprotected sex, which was for 2 seconds. also partial penetration not full penetration).
I took 4th gen duo test after 31 days.
Do I need another test after 6 weeks? or can I move on?

[swapnil5110]

Thanks man. Yeah it seems like it's anxiety driven because I'm indeed unsure.  I've booked a therapist for this now. by the way I've seen you have been answering a lot of questions. Can you tell me whether you are a medical expert or a moderator picked by doctors like Dr. HHH himself. (don't mean any kind of insult, I just wanted to know)

[GuitarRox]

This forum is moderated professionally and guided by HIV experts but your anxiety makes you ask these questions. This was my last response. Take care.

[CurfewX]

None of us are "medical experts" and Dr. HHH hasn't worked on this site in many years, so he isn't picking anyone.  However, this IS a moderated website, and the moderation team deletes inaccurate information, since this is an evidence-based website.

You really wasted your time testing even if you did penetrate partially for a few seconds.  You're not going to get ANY disease in that brief an exposure.  However, since you did, you can rest assured that your test is conclusive and you should put this behind you.  I'm glad you have an appointment with a therapist if this is irrationally weighing on your mind.

[swapnil5110]

Thankyou very much both of you. Especially the "You really wasted your time testing even if you did penetrate partially for a few seconds.  You're not going to get ANY disease in that brief an exposure. ". You can't imagine how much better I'm feeling after reading this.
I just had one question which I'm not sure why is that happening.
As drHHH said when p24 declines, it MUST be gone due to antibodies. Which is why 4th week tests are almost conclusive.
But dr HHH says that there are a few people who cannot be sure whether they have hiv or not even after 4th week test.
Can you shed some light on why this happens? is it that p24 starts producing after 5 or 6 weeks.
BTW I will be moving on with my current results as it is a rare case. I just wanted to know why it happens.
Thanks again.

[CurfewX]

The only reason to test beyond 4 weeks is if a high-risk event occurred with someone who is known to be HIV+ OR a high-risk event in a country with high HIV prevalence (African nations).  

The reason for this is simple statistics.  The odds that a person's encounter was with someone HIV+, who did not know they are HIV+, combined with the odds that the same person would not have an accurate test at 4 weeks, are BEYOND astronomical.  There's something like an 0.004% chance of that happening.  No rational person gives any concern to statistically-insignificant odds like that.

[swapnil5110]

I'm from India, does it change any thing?

[CurfewX]

Re-read the part about having a high-risk event.  You had, for all reasonable and rational purposes, a NO RISK event. MOVE ON.

[swapnil5110]

last one, So REGARDLESS OF MY ANXIETY, In general,
LESS THAN 5 SECONDS OF MINISCULE/PARTIAL PENETRATION= NO RISK right?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Your question has been answered in full.

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