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Conclusive test results or not?
I retested 58 days (86 days post-exposure) after the last dose of PEP with a fourth generation test. It came back negative thankfully. My question is this result conclusive? I have spoken with a number of experts and see on a site online that 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP is conclusive. 86 days is 12 weeks or 3 months post exposure right? I do not need to do anymore tests, and can move on from this? I thought that this test would put an end to my anxiety and worry, but just like the test I took immediately after PEP I am a mess.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Testing 6 weeks post-PEP with a 4th generation test is conclusive. There is no need for additional testing. If you aren't able to get past the anxiety, please seek professional counseling - it really is likely to help. There's no medical reason to have further HIV concerns.
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What about all I see online from the CDC for example with the longer window periods for testing? Are they talking more about antibody only tests or just outdated information? I am actually seeing a counselor and a psychiatrist, but still live in great fear. No medical reason, why is this?
The CDC is so conservative that they use outdated guidelines. For instance they claim there is a risk from oral sex, however no one in the 40 years of hiv history has gotten it from oral - How useless is their conservative advice about that?
The only reason a longer window period post-PEP would apply is if you were using an antibody-only test. Those are still technically conclusive at 12 weeks, though most experts believe that they are conclusive sooner than that.
Why don't they update this information? If a fourth generation assay, 6 weeks post pep is conclusive, they should state this. So much unwarranted anxiety and fear. So I can completely put this in my past? My risk was low the begin with, they were hesitant to put me on PEP but I did not want to take any chances. It was an insertive act, no condom. The individual stated they were on PREP and tested negative three weeks before the encounter. I also messaged them two months and they said they took another test and were negative. Such a lapse in judgement though. Didn't know this person at all, apart from the messages. Never again.
No one here liaises with the CDC or really knows why they are so conservative, but you will not find consensus due to their conservative bias on when to test so it is a waste of your time wondering about them. Just choose whatever source you feel comfortable with (such as CDC) if that is what it takes to relieve your anxiety, however no one here will disagree with the timelines that Curfew listed. You really should move on back to your happy life.
I said that last time. I thought this last test would put an end to my anxiety, and would be able to move on but here I am. Curious, where did Curfew get their data from the 6 weeks? How are you so sure? I would like to, I feel like my life is on hold, but the thought of the test missing the HIV is terrifying.
We rely on the opinion of expert doctors. Consider therapy to deal with the anxiety instead of searching the internet because there is no peace when you keep googling but find overly conservative people telling you that you can die from anything that you can think of.
Yeah Dr. HHH and Dr. Hook have said the same thing. I spoke with them. They agree with the 6 weeks post pep as being conclusive, although they said some experts say the 3 months. Trying to stop googling. I have been in therapy, but still struggling. Never had a scare like this before. Yeah, these people are not doctors on Reddit and Quora and so on. Can say anything.
The only way to stop goggling is cold turkey.
Nothing forces you to google so try harder and you can stop. There is nothing of comfort on google.
Nothing forces you to google so try harder and you can stop. There is nothing of comfort on google.
Have you ever seen someone turn positive after 6 weeks fourth generation test post-pep? Granted no new exposures.
The question has been fully and completely answered, and continuing to ask if the test is fully conclusive will not result in a different answer. We wish you the best, and hope that you are able to move past this event.
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