HIV 1 & 2 Testing

The result for HIV was reported as Not Detected, meaning antibodies to HIV Type 1 and Type 2 and the p24 antigen were not found in the sample.

A negative result on a 4th generation HIV blood test performed four weeks after possible exposure excludes HIV infection with a high degree of certainty (~95%).

To be as certain as possible it is highly recommended to be re-tested at three months post-exposure.

A negative HIV blood test result cannot completely rule out HIV infection because results can vary between individuals and because HIV changes over time in the body. After exposure to HIV, there is a period called seroconversion, during which the virus reproduces and the body produces antibodies that later reach detectable levels in the blood. Samples taken very early (preseroconversion) or in the late phase of HIV infection can sometimes return a negative result. As-yet unknown HIV variants could also lead to a negative HIV finding, and in rare cases seroconversion can take longer than normal.

For those who remain sexually active and/or are a part of a high-risk group, the recommendation is to have an HIV test every three months.

Testing can be done more frequently after a potential HIV exposure. Sharing needles, lack of condom use during sex (especially anal sex), or an incidence of a broken condom during sexual penetration are all reasons associated with possible HIV exposure.