08-16-2009, 12:46 AM
From what I have read, an HIV test at 6 weeks is about the SOONEST that you can be tested and be somewhat sure that the test is conclusive. However according to Mark H. Katz, M.D. Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator Kaiser Permanente of Southern California: "A negative Elisa/western blot tests for HIV at 13 weeks is reasonably conclusive, but most references state that a small percentage, less than a fraction of one percent, can turn positive between 3 and 6 months") or describe in their medical handbook 2003 (Hopkins institute) that some cases DO reconvert between 3 or 6 months." The standard of medical care in this case would be a follow-up test at 6 months.
Although your anxiety regarding this issue is understandable, why do you think you have been exposed to HIV anyway? You do not say if you questioned your sexual partner further, other than her statement that she is "100% certain" that she is not HIV+. Has she ever been tested? If so when? I would further ask about her sexual history: how many sex partners has she had, does she routinely use condoms and so forth. And since you are so worried, you might want to ask if she can provide written lab results. Normally when testing for STDs other tests are performed at the same time: chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea. That being said, if your first test was negative, you are most likely (and statistically) fine. So relax! Get a follow-up test at six months and continue to use condoms.
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