Email 414: Do I Need a Retest?
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 8:37 AM
Hi Pozzie,
this is Miguel, great to see your blog,i'm gonna tell you some story of mine on how i started to engage myself on some sexual activities,i started to have sexual experience since first year college when i was about 16 before i graduate i cant even remember how many person i got on my hands and way back 6 years ago i saw some strange symptoms that more closely related to HIV/AIDS symptoms in addition that i'm actually now experiencing some difficulties on my health like drying of skin,strange feelings like sickness, paling of eyes,over fatigue,etc. but after a years of worrying at-last i finally got tested on RITM clinic in Malate,Manila on dec 2 this year, its free and very confidential so nothing to worrying about. First i have a thought that i'll surely turn positive on my HIV test result then after a couple hours of waiting i was freakin shocked and almost cried to death when i see the final result of my rapid ICT HIV test its actually negative,but i'm just a bit curious on how accurate the rapid ICT test for the detection of HIV, do i have to undergo to another HIV test again for assurance?
hope you can help me to ease my doubts,
thank you =)
Miguel
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE
This is how the HIV Test works. If it turns our negative, it immediately clears all previous possible exposure, 3 months prior to the HIV test. In your case, since you took the HIV test last December 2, then all previous exposures before October 2013 are all cleared. You are also cleared of any HIV infection (thus the test now becomes accurate) if and only if after October 2013, you have no any unprotected sex or any other means of possible exposure. That means if you have no possible exposure to the disease after October 2013, then the result of non-reactive becomes conclusive.
However, if you are still not quite sure of the possible beyond October 2013, then you need to retake the test again in March 2014, just to be very sure. During that time and onwards, please use a condom when having sex so you won't worry anymore.
hope you can help me to ease my doubts,
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE
Hi Miguel.
Thank you for your email. Thanks you for sharing with your story and your experience with the HIV test.
However, if you are still not quite sure of the possible beyond October 2013, then you need to retake the test again in March 2014, just to be very sure. During that time and onwards, please use a condom when having sex so you won't worry anymore.
I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines