HIV test, Internal Medicine FAQ

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Understanding HIV Testing: When to Get Retested After Potential Exposure

HIV testing issues? Hello, doctor! I have some questions regarding my last unsafe sexual encounter in February of this year. I was concerned about potential infections, so I went for a blood test on June 27, and the result was negative! I have heard that the HIV window period doe...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. The diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis related to HIV are managed by infectious disease specialists. Although the issues caused by HIV are related to immune function, we kindly ask that you direct any questions regarding HIV to an i...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: When to Get Retested After Potential Exposure


Understanding HIV Testing: Can I Trust My Negative Results?

HIV testing issues Hello Doctor: I engaged in high-risk behavior on October 16. On April 1 of the following year, I used the Orasure saliva rapid test, which was negative. Then, on April 25, I conducted the Bayer blood rapid test, which was also negative. During this period, I di...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, generally speaking, a period of six months has surpassed the window period for HIV, so if one is infected, it is usually detectable. However, all tests carry the possibility of false negatives, especially rapid tests, which have a slightly higher chance of false negatives ...

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Understanding HIV Testing Concerns: Results and Vaccine Impact

HIV testing issues? Hello, I had my last sexual intercourse on January 1st and have not had any since. On May 31st, I tested negative for HIV Ag/Ab combo after five months. However, I received the HPV vaccine on March 6th and May 6th. Will this affect the test results? Can I feel...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Administering the HPV vaccine will not interfere with HIV testing. 2. As long as the value is below 0.9, it is considered normal, and there is no need to be concerned about fluctuations in the numbers.

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing Concerns: Results and Vaccine Impact


Does HPV Vaccine Affect HIV Test Results? Key Insights for Patients

HPV Vaccine and HIV Test Results Hello Dr. Liao, I would like to ask if I have had no sexual intercourse from January 1 to May 31 for a total of 5 months, and my HIV test result is negative. However, I received the HPV vaccine on March 6 and May 6. Will this affect the HIV test r...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Receiving the HPV vaccine will not interfere with HIV testing. 2. The window period for HIV is 3 to 6 months, so it is best to get tested again after 6 months.

[Read More] Does HPV Vaccine Affect HIV Test Results? Key Insights for Patients


Does HPV Vaccine Affect HIV Test Results? Key Insights for Patients

HPV Vaccine and HIV Test Results Hello Dr. Liao, I would like to ask if having no sexual intercourse from January 1 to May 31 for five months and testing negative for HIV would be affected by receiving the HPV vaccine on March 6 and May 6. Additionally, since I have been infected...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
This issue is a duplicate of <a href="https://adoctor.tw/article/209131">#209131</a>.

[Read More] Does HPV Vaccine Affect HIV Test Results? Key Insights for Patients


Understanding HIV Testing and Risks: Key Insights for Safe Practices

HIV screening 1. Hello Doctor: If I had vaginal intercourse (with a condom) on March 15 and unprotected oral sex on April 29, and I tested negative for the virus using NAT after 45 days, and then tested negative again with the Department of Health's self-test for HIV on May ...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. The window period for HIV is approximately 3 to 6 months, so it is best to get tested again at that time. 2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a relatively higher probability of transmission for the recipient, similar to HIV.

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing and Risks: Key Insights for Safe Practices


Does Methisoprinol Affect the Accuracy of HIV PCR Testing?

Does Methisoprinol affect HIV PCR testing? Hello doctor, I had unprotected sexual intercourse last April. I underwent an HIV antibody rapid test in April, another one in May, and a third one in November after being diagnosed with HPV, all of which were negative. These tests were ...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
METHISOPRINOL acts as an immunomodulator and may affect antiviral medications containing zidovudine; however, it is not expected to impact the accuracy of HIV testing.

[Read More] Does Methisoprinol Affect the Accuracy of HIV PCR Testing?


Understanding HIV Testing: Risks and Results Explained

HIV testing issues? If a person has not engaged in any high-risk behaviors for a month, consistently used condoms, and the sexual partner is a girlfriend, and the Multiplex NAT test results from blood donation are negative, can it be confirmed that there is no HIV infection? Addi...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. First, it is important to determine whether you are an HIV-positive individual. If so, are you adhering to your medication regimen and keeping your viral load at an undetectable level? 2. Next, if you are not infected but have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STI...

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Understanding HIV Testing: Reliability of Oral Swab Results After High-Risk Behavior

HIV testing issues Hello Doctor, I had a high-risk sexual encounter on October 16, and I used the OraQuick saliva rapid test on April 1 of the following year (about five and a half months later), with a negative result. I would like to know if I can trust this result and if I can...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Currently, questions related to HIV/AIDS fall under the specialty of infectious diseases, so please consult an infectious disease physician. The Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department of Changhua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfar...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Reliability of Oral Swab Results After High-Risk Behavior


Understanding HIV and HPV Risks: PEP Efficacy and Autoimmune Concerns

HIV infection HPV infection Hello, Doctor. I have a question. After performing oral sex on a woman, I noticed small red spots on my abdomen two days later, which made me very anxious. I quickly went to a clinic and had a blood test for HIV, which came back negative. I started tak...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
First, let's look at the information about HIV: The HIV virus has three main transmission routes: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse without a condom with an HIV-infected individual or exchanging other bodily fluids carries a risk of infec...

[Read More] Understanding HIV and HPV Risks: PEP Efficacy and Autoimmune Concerns


Understanding HIV Testing and Symptoms: What You Need to Know

HIV testing issues? On March 3rd, I engaged in high-risk sexual behavior. On March 12th, I began experiencing symptoms similar to the early stages of an acute infection, with a rash resembling herpes appearing on my temples. By March 13th, I also developed rashes on my body, and ...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Please refer to the information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you encounter any of the above high-risk situations, you can visit a nearby medical facility for consultation and testing, or you may also perform a rapid test on your own.

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing and Symptoms: What You Need to Know


Risks of HIV Infection from Fingerstick Blood Sampling in Hospitals

Blood draw needle infection Doctor, when conducting HIV testing in a hospital using fingerstick blood sampling, is a new lancet used for each individual? If the lancet is not changed and the previous person tested positive for HIV, would using the same lancet for my blood sample ...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Medical institutions dispose of used needles and do not reuse them, so there is no risk of transmitting HIV.

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Understanding HIV Testing: Can You Rule Out Infection After Risky Behavior?

HIV testing issues Hello doctor, I had unprotected sexual intercourse with a female online friend in early April. I went to a medical testing center in mid-April for an HIV antibody test, which came back negative. On May 8, I noticed inflammation of the glans and visited a urolog...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Yes, after the window period, HIV infection can be ruled out. 2. Currently, the accuracy of anonymous screening or blood tests in the country is over 95%. 3. Engaging in unsafe sexual practices may also pose a risk for other sexually transmitted infections; therefore, usin...

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Understanding HIV Testing Accuracy After Hepatitis C Exposure

HIV testing issues? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask, if I was at high risk and then contracted Hepatitis C but did not take any medication, and after a 3-month window period my HIV test result was negative, is this result still accurate? This is a hypothetical question, as I h...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. The window periods for HIV and Hepatitis C are 3-12 weeks and 4-10 weeks, respectively. 2. Regarding the frequency of HIV screening for the public, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following: Individuals who are sexually active should undergo at least one H...

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Understanding HIV Testing Accuracy with Concurrent Hepatitis C Infection

HIV testing issues Hello doctor, if a person is co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C, and has not taken any treatment for Hepatitis C or antiretroviral therapy, is the HIV test still accurate after a 3-month window period? I have come across information online suggesting that Hep...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Previous literature suggested that infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) might prolong the window period for HIV, hence it was recommended to monitor for up to one year. However, if you have recently tested negative for HCV, then there is no concern for HCV, and the window perio...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing Accuracy with Concurrent Hepatitis C Infection


Understanding HIV Testing: Key Questions and Answers for Patients

HIV testing issues? 1. I used the Abbott HIV fourth-generation rapid test on day 90 and day 99 after a high-risk exposure, and both tests were negative. Additionally, I had no risk behaviors during these 99 days. Can I be certain that I have ruled out the risk of infection? 2. A...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, 1. Currently, if using a fourth-generation rapid test, a negative result at four months can essentially rule out HIV infection. Therefore, a negative result at 99 days may still carry a very low probability of encountering an extended window period (though this is also e...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Key Questions and Answers for Patients


Understanding Blood Donation and HIV Testing: What You Need to Know

Blood Donation and HIV Issues Hello, my girlfriend has had unprotected sexual intercourse in the past but did not get tested. Later, she donated blood and received a report stating that her blood was suitable for use (multiplex NAT negative). However, I saw that the blood donatio...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Although AIDS can cause immune dysfunction, AIDS-related diseases are classified as infectious diseases. Therefore, questions related to AIDS should be directed to the Infectious Disease Department. Please consult with them. Thank you! The Aller...

[Read More] Understanding Blood Donation and HIV Testing: What You Need to Know


Understanding HIV Testing Results: A Journey Through Two Pregnancies

I tested positive for HIV three years ago when I had my first child (my second child). The first test was positive, while the second test was negative? Three years ago, I had two children. The first pregnancy tested positive in March 2019, and the second in October 2020, both bei...


Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. The first question is whether an HIV-positive baby has been born. If so, at least one parent must be an HIV-infected individual, and regardless of whether the initial test result is negative or positive, a confirmatory test must be conducted at a hospital. 2. What is the pur...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing Results: A Journey Through Two Pregnancies


Does PrEP Affect HIV Testing Results? Understanding Your Risks and Concerns

Does PrEP affect HIV testing? On September 27, I took 2 PrEP pills 2 hours late, and 1.5 hours later, I engaged in unprotected oral sex as a receptive partner with deep kissing, but there was no anal intercourse. From September 28 to October 1, I took 1 pill each day. Afterward, ...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
The report is accurate, but HIV infection has a window period. A negative PCR test on day 13 does not completely rule out the possibility of HIV infection. Currently, there are no studies indicating how long after exposure a PCR test can definitively exclude HIV infection. Genera...

[Read More] Does PrEP Affect HIV Testing Results? Understanding Your Risks and Concerns


Understanding HIV Testing: Antigen and Antibody Detection Timelines

HIV testing issues? Hello, I would like to inquire about the Abbott fourth-generation HIV Early test, which can detect both antigens and antibodies. The antigen can be detected one month after exposure; however, regarding the antibody testing, can it still yield results if it has...


Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, the fourth-generation rapid test detects both antigens and antibodies. It is expected that a positive result could be detected in about two weeks, but individual responses vary; some people may take three to four months to test positive. (A positive result for either antig...

[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Antigen and Antibody Detection Timelines


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