What does exposure mean? Which period counts as the exposure period? Also, what is the window period, and is three months sufficient for a conclusive HIV test result?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

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HIV window period refers to time between exposure and test detectability. Most tests are accurate at 3 months. If 90 days post exposure test is negative (4th gen ELISA or PCR), HIV is ruled out.

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Take a HIV 1 AND 2 ANTIBODIES Test or Take a HIV-1 RNA PCR - QUALITATIVE Test

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Answered 04/09/2025

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I had unprotected sex with a sex worker. My HIV RNA PCR test at 28 days was not detected, my HIV antibody test at 86 days was non reactive, and my CD4 count at 87 days is 503 cells per microL, with CD8 count 685 cells per microL. Could you please help me understand if these results confirm that I am HIV negative, or if I should take any further tests or precautions?

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I had unprotected sex with a sex worker. I took an HIV RNA PCR test after 28 days, and the result was not detected. At 86 days, the HIV antibody test was non reactive, with a CD4 count of 503. At 100 days, the RNA PCR test was not detected, and at 108 days, the antibody test was non reactive.

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I recently took an HIV RNA PCR test 90 days after exposure, and the results were negative. Can I consider this as a conclusive result? Is there any chance that the result could be wrong at this stage or due to the diagnostic centre while reporting? Please help me.

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