Exposed - When Should I Get Tested?

[EdwardC]

On November 4th I had protected anal sex (Me as the top/insertive partner) with a fellow gay male, we'll call him Fred. However, we had unprotected oral sex (both giving and receiving) and I fingered him as well (I have bad hangnails and I don't remember if they were open wounds or not). I ejaculated but he did not.

I did not know the following information until last night: During late June while attending a convention in my town, Fred received unprotected anal sex. Apparently his partner is HIV+ but did not disclose the information and had unprotected sex with many young men during the week of the convention, trust me they all are trying to get the law involved.

Fred got blood work done a few days ago and HIV+ showed up in his preliminary results, he then took an stand alone HIV test and he will have the results back by tomorrow.

When I found out I got really nervous and I was practically sick to my stomach. I stumbled across your website, thankfully, and it helped calm me down. From reading previous postings I know that there is only a slight chance that I could have contracted from this encounter, however, I would like your advice about when I should go get tested.

From reading numerous other postings you have said that it isn't really necessary to be tested after 12 weeks from the exposure. Considering my exposure was a little over a month ago, I'm not sure if I should go and get tested this week or wait until 8 weeks have past and get tested January 4th and then get tested again at 12 weeks on February 4th.

Can you please provide me with some input?

P.S. I think this site is wonderful and your medical staff does not get even a fraction of the appreciation they deserve. Thank you so much from this terrified college senior!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I can imagine the sinking feeling when you heard that your partner had just found out he was HIV infected.  My sympathy goes out to you both.  As you point out, your risk is low.  Your rectal exposure was protected and thus safe and the risk of getting HIV from oral sex is less than 1 in 10,000  Having said that, you, unlike most of our clients know that your partner was infected with HV and thus you were exposed and should be tested.  

You are now more than 4 weeks out from your exposure.  Testing at this time would be expected to detect between 85 and 90% of infections acquired more than 4 weeks earlier and thus, should much to reduce your concerns.  I would do it.  I would then re-test at 12 weeks to completely "close the book" on any possibility that you acquired HIV from your exposure.  Since you do know you were exposed however, the 12 week final test is probably reasonable.

Hope this helps. EWH

[EdwardC]

A related discussion, Exposed - When should I get tested? UPDATE! was started.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Great news.  The odds are in your favor.  EWH

[EdwardC]

I figured I'd give you a little update on my situation. I got tested December 8th (34 days after) and tested Negative. Hopefully my 120 day test will come back Negative as well.