To have an accurate HIV blood test result, when should you take the test after s*x?

Question

when a man has to get his blood tested to screen himself out from diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C or siphillis, in order to have an accurate result, does he need to wait for few weeks after the suspcisious, unprotected intercourse?

im asking this because i heard that depending on the virus there's a 'dormant' period in which the virus won't show up in the blood test...

please list the periods respectively for each diseases.

Answer 1

If after 6 months the test are still negative, your fine.

But, get treatment if there is the slightest chase of you being sick...

C

Answer 2

if such is suspected, one should be tested immediately for a baseline, and then again at six months and one year.

Answer 3

Ok first of all, you shouldn't test immediately! It will NOT show up on tests if you do test immediately and it's a waste of money and time to do so.

I was told you should wait 6 weeks to 6 months. That is the window of which the virus will spread. 3 months is around the time where 99.7 of people that have HIV will have the T cells. But they recommend 6 months because you never know if you're the .3

Most universities in the states offer free testing for HIV. This isn't a blood test, this is a saliva test (which is JUST as accurate as a blood test only you should wait 3 months for this). The university that I attend allows not just students but also people in the area to test also. If you call any university med center and ask for information they can give you a number or schedule you. They do not keep records of this because the health department sends someone to come and test you themselves. It could be a nurse or a doctor. Mine was a doctor when I went in today and go tested (I'm HIV negative!!!)

how the saliva tests are done is this, you swab your buttom and top gums in your mouth and you wait only 20 minutes for your results. If it's 1 line you're negative, if it's 2 lines you're positive. You do not always have to take a blood test. I have been told of urine tests for HIV but really I don't believe that would be accurate where as HIV can live in saliva, fluids and blood.  

Answer 4

The majority of people who are HIV+, will test so by 17-20 days after being infected (75%) and over 99.5% test positive by 3 months post-exposure. In rare cases, of people with pre-existing immune problems (cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients etc) it can take up to 6 months, but a negative result at 3 months post exposure is considered definitive. The 6 month, year follow up is no longer recommended, though employers worried about on the job liability (etc) may require/recommend 6-12 month follow up tests for occupational exposures.

For Hep C, it is very similar. Most people test positive within 3 months, but it can take up to 6 months in rare cases. Hep C is RARELY transmitted during s*x and is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.

For syphilis, more of the same. Most people will test positive within 3 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months. This also varies depending on the test used and on the person being tested, but a negative test at 3 months is considered definitive.

The technical term for this period of time (between being infected with something and testing positive) is the Window Period, not dormant period. To describe something as dormant means that it is not active. In these cases, the infections are active, but the person's antibody response (which many of the tests look for) can take a certain amount of time before it is apparent.

Hope this helps  

Answer 5

Yes, you have to wait at least 6-8 weeks after the exposure. Almost most of the infected people generate antibodies by this time. It gives you a very good indication about your status. It is unlikely that a negative result at 6-8 weeks becomes positive. But you have to confirm it with a 3 months conclusive test. That is the guideline.

I am not sure why the RN who commented here said you have to test at 6 months and one year. 3 months is conclusive unless you are heavy drug users, you are on treatment for cancer or you use anti-rejection drugs for organ transplant.

Answer 6

test immediately

then test again 3-6 months

then again another 3-6 months and so on and so on