Hello Doctor,
I am a male, 22 years old. I have never had any kind of sexual relations before. Just three years ago, I had deep kissing with a girl whose HIV status I do not know. Can I contract the virus this way? This year, I performed two antibody tests that were negative, but the tests were not from the fourth generation. Can antibodies disappear or not be produced, leading to undiagnosed HIV? Do I need any further tests like PCR or p24 antigen?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
Kissing without bleeding or open wounds on the lips will not transmit HIV. The amount of HIV virus present in saliva is so minimal that it is not enough to cause an infection. Based on the information you provided, since you had blood tests conducted two years after the kissing incident and received negative results from a third-generation HIV test, this indicates that you are not infected with the virus.
You mentioned performing two antibody tests this year, and both came back negative. Since HIV antibodies typically appear 3-6 weeks after infection, if your tests were negative at the two-year mark, it is highly unlikely that you are infected now.
It is important to note that HIV antibodies, once they appear, generally remain detectable in the bloodstream for life, so there is no scenario where they would just disappear if you were infected. You do not need any additional tests unless you have engaged in other high-risk activities, such as unprotected sex or intravenous drug use.
However, if you are still feeling anxious about your health or have new symptoms, it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.
Thanks
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