Question:

First, thank you for donating your time, all of you, to us, it means so much to so many people.

My question is: I had an possible exposure to HIV, and had the following tests run and wanted to know if these tests have ruled out HIV....

At 6 weeks I had an PCR proviral DNA test along with an antibody test, the DNA test was 'non-detected', antibody negative.
At ten weeks, I had the same two tests run, PCR proviral DNA and antibody. Again, DNA test was 'not-detected', and antibody negative. The testing facility says that these tests have ruled out infection of HIV. I just wanted to know If they are accurate or if these tests are unreliable for the detection of HIV because if I am infected I would like to start treatment if necessary.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration of my question.

Answer provided by:

Trevor Hawkins, M. D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. Family Practice, University New Mexico
Medical Director, Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe, NM

Proviral HIV DNA testing is considered very accuate in detecting HIV and is thought to be 99.9% accurate after 28 days from the time of exposure. You have had 2 such tests at 42 and 70 days and both were negative.

What you were told is true; you are not infected with HIV.

Always use protection against HIV and other STD's.

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