Should I Get Tested for HIV Again After 8 Months of Low-Risk Contact?

I am struggling with whether or not to get tested for HIV again after six months?

Dr.
Liao, the incident occurred about 8 months ago when I met a female online friend.
Before we met, I brushed my teeth.
During our meeting, I licked her nipple and touched her genital area over her pants, but I did not directly use my mouth on her genital area.
That was the extent of our interaction; neither of us removed our pants, and we did not kiss.
The female partner did remove her top, but there was no actual sexual intercourse.
Three months after this incident, I tested negative for HIV.
If the other person is an HIV carrier and I have only had intimate contact with this online friend during these 8 months, I am unsure if I need to get tested for HIV again after six months.

Younger Tian with a bit of struggle, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/07/16

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine

A.
According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): HIV has three main modes of transmission: 1.
Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries a risk of infection.
2.
Blood transmission: (1) Receiving or coming into contact with blood or blood products contaminated with HIV.
(2) Sharing needles, syringes, or diluents with individuals who inject drugs and are HIV-positive.
(3) Receiving an organ transplant from an HIV-infected donor.
3.
Vertical transmission from mother to child: Infants can acquire HIV from their infected mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
B.
The above information indicates that engaging in unsafe sexual practices may lead to bloodborne diseases.
If there are still concerns, one can seek consultation and testing at a medical facility.

Reply Date: 2022/07/16

More Info

When it comes to HIV testing and the potential need for retesting after a low-risk encounter, it's important to understand the nature of HIV transmission and the testing timelines involved. Based on your description, the encounter you had appears to be low-risk, as there was no penetrative sexual intercourse or direct contact with bodily fluids that are typically associated with a higher risk of HIV transmission.

HIV is primarily transmitted through three main routes: unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal), sharing needles or syringes, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. In your case, since there was no direct oral contact with the genital area and no exchange of bodily fluids, the risk of transmission is significantly lower.

You mentioned that you had an HIV test three months after the encounter, which returned a negative result. This is a crucial point because most HIV tests, particularly the fourth-generation tests that detect both HIV antibodies and antigens, can accurately identify an HIV infection within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure. By three months, the test is considered highly reliable, and a negative result at this stage typically indicates that you are not infected with HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals who have had potential exposure to HIV get tested at three months and, in some cases, at six months to confirm their status. However, since you have already tested negative at three months and your encounter was low-risk, it is generally not necessary to retest after eight months unless you have had additional potential exposures since then.

If you are still feeling anxious about your HIV status, it may be beneficial to consult with a healthcare provider. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and any additional risk factors you may have. It's also important to consider that anxiety about HIV can be common, and discussing your concerns with a professional can help alleviate some of that stress.

In summary, based on the information provided, it is unlikely that you need to retest for HIV after eight months, especially since your previous test was negative and the encounter was low-risk. However, if you have any new concerns or if your sexual practices change, it is always a good idea to stay informed and get tested as needed. Regular testing is a key component of maintaining sexual health, and being proactive about your health is commendable.

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