Question about HIV duo 4th generation test

[worriesome2017]

About 5 weeks ago (exactly on Aug 04, 2017), I went to a message spa and did genital rubbing/frottage with the lady there. But we were both wearing the underwear with no ejaculation during the frottage, and also no intercourse or penetration or no oral sex either. After frottage, I see a small moisture spot on front-side of my underwear, not sure if it is from my pre-cum or vaginal fluid through her underwear. By the way, I am not circumcised.

2 days later I was sick briefly for two days and at 21 days after exposure, I got sick with stomach flu symptoms like diarrhea and fatigue for 10 days. So far, I did the following HIV tests including all STDs.

* 2 days after exposure - 4th/5th generation HIV test negative  (lab-based)
* 22 days after exposure - 4th/5th generation HIV test negative
* 24 days after exposure - OraQuick home test negative (lab-based)
* 32 days after exposure - 4th/5th generation HIV test negative (lab-based)

I know from reading this forum, the expert doctors here say 4th generation test is conclusive or close it after 4 weeks. So I am now slightly relieved but then now I am worried about possible window period delay to my HIV test. Because I am chronic Hepatitis B carrier and I am on medication for 1 mg of Baraclude (entecavir). So I wonder if my medication Baraclude (entecavir) will affect the accuracy of my 4th/5th generation HIV test?

Can doctors or experts please help me on this question? Do I need to another test at 6 weeks or 8 weeks or 3 months?

Thanks in advance!

[Psyntax_error]

You didn't have a risk. No testing was required. Please seek help for OCD. Good luck.

[worriesome2017]

Just for the record, I tested again now at 12 weeks after the incident. It is all negative including for other STDs.

So this proves again that current CDC guideline stating that if you tested negative with 4th generation ag/ab test after 45 days, it is conclusive. Hope this information helps other people who are anxious about their test results.

[worriesome2017]

Just for reference and information purposes, I did another duo HIV test at 49 days and it came back negative.

According to the latest HIV testing guidelines from CDC, duo/4th generation combo test after 45 days from possible exposure is 99th percentile accurate to rule out possible HIV transmission. It is not based on claims but on a scientific study done by researchers to calculate window period. To quote from CDC website page about HIV testing "If your health care provider uses an antigen/antibody test performed by a laboratory on blood from a vein you should get tested again 45 days after your most recent exposure. For other tests, you should test again at least 90 days after your most recent exposure to tell for sure if you have HIV."

How I see with the HIV testing is in two folds:

1) for yourself - if you tested negative at baseline in the beginning at the exposure, 4 weeks and then after 45 days with 4th generation duo tests, you can relax and stop worrying. This is assuming you are not on PEP which can delay the testing.

2) for the public - if to prevent any possible transmission of HIV from you after your possible exposure to others (such as your partner or the public in general), you should re-test again at 3 months for a complete final test. Of course, if you are one of the rare people with auto immune disease or on Hepatitis C drug, you should still retest at 6 months again.

Reference links:
CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/clinical/index.html
CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html

Scientific article on window period -
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/64/1/53/2194435/Time-Until-Emergence-of-HIV-Test-Reactivity?guestAccessKey=49aaf6c5-fd02-4522-993b-c11fcda0f72f

[worriesome2017]

Again always practice safe sex with condom properly and consistently regardless of you and your partner's status.

My personal take away from this experience is to be safe, keep a mutually monogamous relationship AND always practice safe sex with condom every time for any sexual activity. And finally, both you and your partner should get tested annually as part of regular medical checkup. Then, you can keep your HIV worries at bay.

[worriesome2017]

*Correction: OracQuick home test is not lab-based test but all other HIV test I took are 4th or 5th generation HIV test done at lab, not rapid test.

[AnxiousNoMore]

When you read other threads here, you will also find that you had zero risk and wasted your time testing. It is abnormal to test repeatedly for the same disease that you are negative for so consider therapy for this HIV phobia if you plan to test again.
You interact with others so flu and sickness WILL strike at any unforeseen moment, so the only way to peace is to stop over-analyzing your body trying to connect your illnesses with HIV that you can't even have.

[worriesome2017]

Yes some people say it is no risk but others say low risk. So going for worst case scenario of "low risk", I would like to confirm by lab result. Therefore, do you know if taking entecavir can delay/extend window period for 4th generation HIV test?

[AnxiousNoMore]

This site relies on the opinions of expert doctors who say no risk, but if you hunt all over the internet you can find anything including theories that have never manifested in a transmission over the 40 years of HIV history. We are not affiliated with other sites and do not follow them.