B_Nicodemous
Experimental Member
Thanks for all the comments. This happened 4.5 days ago so I guess I've missed the period for PEP. The health center at my university is closed over the weekend during the summer, so this morning would have been the first time I could get in :/. I guess I'm less concerned now that I know the risk was very, very low.
On another note, the HIV rapid testing program that I normally go to every 5-6 weeks is run through the local health department. They use 10 minute rapid tests from finger pricks and say that they are accurate 30 days post exposure. There's a huge difference between 30 days and the 13 weeks that is referenced in this thread...
Ok here is a link to the CDC about window periods, standard vs rapid antibody tests and RNA tests.Unless it's been changed very recently, the 13 week potential incubation period comes from the CDC, and it's known to be extremely conservative. When I was a contributing member of AIDSmeds/POZ, I was one of about five members deemed qualified to counsel people in their Am I Infected? forum, where we discussed risk scenarios precisely like this. The response I posted earlier is essentially identical to what I'd have posted there.
It's worth noting that throughout the EU and the state of Massachusetts six weeks is sufficient for the overwhelming majority of cases and is considered definitive. Thirty days is news to me, but I am slightly out of the loop since discontinuing my membership at Am/POZ about two years ago, so it's possible that the tests have been improved.
Personally I'd expect that you'll get a negative result, but you have my deepest consideration and empathy should you wind up otherwise: good luck.
I should point out that, unless you misheard or misunderstood, your clinic was lax in implying that it is ALWAYS accurate within 30 days. Most have a detectable antibody level, but most is not the same as all.
Follow the advice given in the link (amazing how it relfects what we all have been saying...sometimes we old folk DO know what we are talking about:wink