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Should I worry after being HIV negative for 6 weeks blood test?
Hi, I'm 17 and I recently hooked up with someone around the end of March. We used a condom but something went wrong because of a couple of days later I started having symptoms of chlamydia so I went and got a urine and Pap test right away, a few days later they called me to say I was positive for chlamydia and to come in and get my treatment. I took the antibiotics they gave me and went in for a follow up to make sure it was gone and now I am good with that. They gave me an appointment to get a blood test a little bit over 6 weeks, so when I went in to get my blood test they told me to come in 2 weeks later to go my results. I went in today and I was negative for everything but am still slightly worried. I have an appointment to get a 3 month test to confirm my results. What would be the accuracy of a 6 week blood test and should I be fine? I live in Canada.
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Below are answers I found on the Web for your question. The first comes from AIDS Vancouver Helpline the second from the CDC. I hope you find this information helpful.
AIDS Vancouver Helpline
Your negative result at 6 weeks is considered an excellent indication of your HIV status as up to 95% of infection can be detected within 4-6 weeks. We have never heard of an HIV test turning positive after 3 months, given no new exposures in the interim. In fact, here at the Helpline we have never spoken with anyone who has received a different result at 6 weeks than at 12 and beyond!
HIV tests (including Rapid tests) are one of the most accurate blood tests in the world, with all types being close to 100% accurate if done within the window period of 4 weeks-3 months post exposure. Because Rapid HIV Testing is a relatively new technology, there are no "Generations" like there are for standard EIA or ELISA HIV blood tests. Was this Rapid test a finger prick (blood) test or an OraQuick (oral fluid swab) test? If you feel comfortable sharing that information with us, we can provide you with more specific details regarding Rapid HIV Tests.
Hopefully this helped to alleviate some of your anxiety, please feel free to write back if you have any more concerns.
Cheers,
Elyse AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer E-mail: helpline@aidsvancouver.orgPhone (Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666Web: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline
CDC
The CDC suggests retesting because of the “window period.” This is the length of time between exposure to HIV and when HIV shows up on a test. This can take up to three months. So if your test result is negative, protect yourself and get retested after three months.
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