Is negative HIV combo test post 35 days of exposure conclusive? – Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad

The question asked is an HIV combo test, which is generally a term used to describe the HIV antigen antibody 4th generation test. If negative after 35 days of exposure conclusive of ruling out HIV? Yes he combo test or the HIV antigen antibody test. Yes, the period of time or the window period, that it is unable to detect HIV infection is typically within 3 weeks of exposure. So by 35 days, which is close to 5 weeks. If the test is negative, the likelihood of the individual having acquired HIV is extremely low. Nonetheless, I would still advise a regular ELISA test, at the end of 3 months of exposure. But to restate, the likelihood is extremely low if the combo test after 35 days is negative. Can unprotected vaginal sex or oral sex, with a partner whose HIV status is unknown lead to HIV infection? Well, we do not know the status if a partner, there are really two possibilities, either the partner is positive, that is infection with HIV or negative. When we do not know, it is hard to say whether the partner has HIV infection or not. In case the partner is HIV infected, there is definitely a risk of HIV transmission with unprotected vaginal sex, with oral sex again the risk is lower but certainly present.