Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 10/7/2005

Question
Hi, I had a very short relationship (2 mths.)with a man, I am a female, who called me a few months after we ended things and told me he got a pos result. He obviously doesn't know when he was infected. We had sex 3 times. Once with a condom, once with condom breaking, once with no condom. Now I am hearing all sorts of crazy things from people like if I had it I would know by now (it's been 6 mnths.) because I would have lost weight and been sick, etc... And I'm hearing that most likely enough of his fluids didn't enter me in those two times for me to contract it? Please offer any advice possible. I know the only way to be sure is to be tested, right now I'm just too scared to. Thanks alot.


Answer
No, you would not be sick this soon. It takes people years to start having symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS. The good thing here is that since it has been six months since you were possibly exposed, you are now outside of the testing window period. The HIV test has a 1-6 month window period meaning that if someone tests within that period they may get a false negative. It takes the body time to produce enough antibodies to be detected by the test and if the body has not produced enough, a false negative is the result. Since you are no longer in this period, you can be tested and can rely on the result you receive. I would suggest being tested as soon as you can so 1. you will know your status and 2. if you are positive, you can begin treatment that will help you stay healthy. Good Luck!