Question 1

I went to a pathology lab today to get a blood test. When I went in, the staff already had the injection in her hand. Do clinics use used needles and syringes? Should I be worried about the risk of HIV, especially since it is a small pathology and not a big hospital?

Question 2

I was accidentally injected with a potentially contaminated needle at a clinic. Concerned about HIV risk, I went for an HIV combo test 56 days after the incident at my nearest ICTC centre. The test result was negative. The ICTC staff mentioned that if there is direct exposure to HIV infected blood, it can show in the test after 28 days. I would like a specialist advice regarding:
Should I get tested again?
Which test is recommended now?
Is 56 days sufficient to conclude that I am HIV negative?
I have heard that HIV transmitted via sexual contact may take longer to appear in blood tests compared to needle exposure, is this true?

Question 3

Sir, I have a doubt regarding HIV testing. If a person tests negative at 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years after exposure, but later tests positive, is it true that this depends on the immune system? Does this mean there is no conclusive test for HIV?

I took a Prega News test and it came out positive. We had sex on 29th June, and after 20 days the test showed positive. What should we do next, and which medicines (if any) need to be taken at this stage?

Negative partner test after 20 days is encouraging. Not yet conclusive result. Retest at 90 days gives final answer. PEP helps if started within 72 hours. Talk to your doctor if worried.

More HIV DUO (HIV P24 ANTIGEN, HIV 1 & 2 ANTIBODY) Health Queries

I went to a pathology lab today to get a blood test. When I went in, the staff already had the injection in her hand. Do clinics use used needles and syringes? Should I be worried about the risk of HIV, especially since it is a small pathology and not a big hospital?

Sir, I have a doubt regarding HIV testing. If a person tests negative at 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years after exposure, but later tests positive, is it true that this depends on the immune system? Does this mean there is no conclusive test for HIV?