Common "Hiv Testing" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Hiv Testing

There are different tests available to detect HIV. They may test for antibodies alone or antibodies as well as p24 antigens from blood, saliva or urine of the person. While some tests may give immediate results, some require more time, up to a few weeks.

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I have a white tongue and sore throat. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I had an unprotected sexual contact with a commercial sex worker some six months ago. I do not know the health status of that lady. After 30 days of exposure, I got fever and body pain and I went to the hospital for treatment. He suggested checking a widal test and a urine test. The re...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your screening tests have convincingly ruled out HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Perhaps you have oral thrush which may have started because of repeated courses of oral antibiotics. I suggest you use a topical antifungal like Clotrimazole mouth paint. In addition, ...  Read Full »

Please explain how long HIV antibodies remain in the body post exposure.

Query: Hello doctor, I have a general query. I would like to know say a person has HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and if he does not know about it. He then acquires AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). So, even after having AIDS, will there be HIV antibodies in his blood? If he goes for an HIV an...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Antibodies against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) once formed, stay forever. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an advanced stage of HIV infection when the patient shows signs of immunodeficiency like opportunistic infections, malignancies, etc. Antibodi...  Read Full »

I have a skin allergy causing rashes and weight loss. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I have a skin allergy, rashes, hives and weight loss.  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. I would like to know the duration of your complaints (rashes/ hives). Kindly also upload images of the rashes, if any. Have you taken any treatment already? Regards.   Read Full »

Please review my HIV reports.

Query: Hi doctor, I want to tell my case and I would appreciate a detailed answer on this subject. About five months ago, I had sex with a CSW (community sex worker) during a vacation. The relationship included oral sex and vaginal sex. The relationship was completely protected (also oral) and I put on a c...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have viewed the images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your screening tests for HIV are conclusive Your screening tests for HIV are conclusive. A three months intervening period between risk exposure and HIV screening tests (fourth generation HIV an...  Read Full »

My HIV test results came negative at 8 weeks. Am I all clear?

Query: Hello doctor, I would like some advice, please regarding HIV testing. 10 days following a sexual encounter, (protected penetrative sex, unprotected oral sex) I was tested at my local GUM clinic. Although the lady from my encounter tested negative, mine came back as weakly reactive (fourth generation...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. After an indeterminate or weakly positive HIV screening test (usually due to cross-reacting antibodies), the second confirmatory test should be a different yet more specific test, such as a western blot. Western blot is 99.9 % specific, which...  Read Full »

Kindly clear my doubts regarding the CD4 count.

Query: Hello doctor, I have a hypothetical question. Suppose I was one of the rare people who is incapable of producing antibodies to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)-2. What would you expect my CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation) count to be after four years? And how sick would I be?  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. Antibodies against HIV are not a very effective defense against this virus and though they may initially contribute in keeping the virus under check they eventually fail to do so. So your CD4 count would be lower than if you had antibodies ag...  Read Full »

I had unprotected anal sex. Will I get HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, A year back I had my first sexual contact. I gave him a blowjob and he did anal to me unprotected. I got tested for HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) with CMIA (chemiluminescent magnetic microparticle immunoassay) test two months back and it came out negative and non-reactive. I have h...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, an HIV screening test is considered conclusive at 12 weeks and beyond after risk exposure. So you do not need to test any further. Your test result is reliable and conclusive.   Read Full »

After 2 months of HIV tests, I have no symptoms. Am I safe?

Query: Hello doctor, I have had HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 1 and 2 antibody test to detect antigens p24, Glycoprotein (Gp41, and Gp120) of HIV immunochromatography after 28 days of unprotected vaginal sex, and the results are nonreactive. Does it mean I am safe from the virus? I am now two months p...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) screening test involves antibodies and antigens accurately. It detects the majority of those infected at four weeks, whereas its sensitivity increases between 99 and 99.9 % at six weeks. So most HIV specialists consider the resul...  Read Full »

Is the HIV duo test conclusive after 28 days of exposure?

Query: Hello doctor, I had unprotected oral sex with a sex-worker as well as rimming and protected vaginal sex. After 28 days, I did HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) duo test and it came nonreactive. Can I have unprotected sex with my wife now? Is duo test at 28 days conclusive? Do I need a further test?  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Unprotected insertive oral sex carries a negligible risk of transmission of HIV. Rimming too is not a high risk and protected sex is safe as far as risk of HIV is concerned. However, a fourth generation HIV screening test is considered conclusive at six weeks by most H...  Read Full »

I have a bump on my penis. When to test for HIV?

Query: Hi doctor, From the last one and a half months, I am in crisis. I tried having sex six months back. That day I did not get erections so she gave me oral. I did not perform vaginal sex because of non-erection, and whatever I have tried that was protected. But I had unprotected oral sex where she gave...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern and I have viewed the attachments (attachment removed to protect patient identity).Insertive oral sex has a negligible risk of transmission of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Moreover, your HIV screening test (p24 Ag and anti-HIV antibody...  Read Full »

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