| Ask GMHC
How long do I have to wait until I know test results are accurate?
Question
Last night, I had anal sex with a guy I did not know very well.
I was the receiver (bottom), so I asked him to wear a condom and
to use water-based lube. At a certain point, he took off the condom
(without me noticing it) and started to penetrate me. When I noticed
that he didn't have the condom on, I stopped the sex right away,
and I was very angry. He did not ejaculate inside of me (that I
know of), but I am not sure if there was any pre-cum present.
I know I want to get tested for HIV, but I have been told that
I have to wait at least 3 months. Will a test result be accurate
if I test in a month? If I do wait the 3 month period, and the
test result is negative, do I need to get tested again at 6 months
or can I be OK with those results?
I'm very upset and could use any advice or information.
Answer
From your email it sounds like you have a lot going on. You mentioned
that a partner penetrated you briefly without a condom and it has
you concerned. You asked about how long to wait in order to know
your status. An HIV test looks for antibodies in the blood that
are produced only when a person becomes infected. The test is sensitive
enough that for most people who become infected, the antibodies
can be detected by four weeks. A small minority of people can take
up to three months, and anything beyond that is very rare. Given
this information, what do you think would be helpful as far as
testing?
We hope this information is helpful. The experience sounds like
it left you both angry and anxious. Since testing can be stressful,
and your situation sounds like it already has you concerned, what
kind of support would be useful? Please feel free to call our Hotline
if you want to talk to someone about what's going on or if you
need more information. You can reach us at 800-243-7692 or 212-807-6655.
Good luck,
The GMHC Hotline
Questions or concerns? Email us at hotline@gmhc.org.
For more information, visit our Hotline.
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