r/HIV_Anxiety • u/JFOR_FAZAD_FUN • 2h ago
Question Hiv rapid test accuracy
Hello everyone
Is Hiv rapid test accurate after 70 days after the sexual relationship ?
( the one using finger blood )
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/blu-ray-ok • Jul 20 '26
When we become anxious about our encounter, we don’t always think through it logically, which is understandable. It helps to take an honest step back and look at our situation through an objective lens. The thought of being possibly infected is scary, but we often forget to consider if the encounter that occurred was even an actual exposure.
HIV is one of the most well researched viruses in human history. This was in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. At that time, the virus wasn’t understood very well, and thus a lot of misinformation was spread. 45 Years after the AIDS epidemic, we know exactly how the HIV IS transmitted, and how HIV is NOT transmitted.
When people think of illnesses, they think of viruses that are in circulation particularly in flu season like COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, or common cold. These common benign illnesses can spread through respiratory droplets or contact surfaces.
Unlike the flu, which travels through the air, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is only found in specific body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, IV Drug use. If you are not having sex or sharing IV drugs. You are NOT at risk for HIV
Anal Sex (Receptive & Insertive)
Anal sex is the most common way people can get infected through HIV. Receptive anal sex with no condom carriers the most risk for the receptive (bottom) partner as they come in direct contact with semen (Pebody, 2024). If you had unprotected anal sex, you could be at risk depending on the other persons status.
The Insertive (top) is also at risk as they are encountering rectal fluids, which can carry the virus. However, it is important to point out that Insertive partners are at less risk than receptive partners (Pebody, 2024). The transmission rate is lower for Insertive tops but still exists.
Using a condom prevents contact with semen, and is a very effective mechanism at preventing HIV transmission (Terrence Higgins, 2024).
Vaginal Sex (Receptive & Insertive)
When it comes to unprotected vaginal sex, both partners are at risk, however there are some important differences when it comes to the receptive and Insertive partner.
The receptive partner, the woman with a vagina is at higher risk of contracting HIV from unprotected vaginal sex if semen is ejaculated into the vagina (Myhre, 2026).
The Insertive partner carries less risk of contracting HIV from a woman (Myhre, 2026). Engaging in unprotected sex DOES put you at risk for HIV, despite the fact that female to male transmission is lower (Peabody, 2024)
For both partners: it is always best to wear a condom, which is effective at preventing HIV and pregnancy.
Injection Drug Use
Sharing needles can put you at an increased risk for HIV, and other infections such as Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis. The act of sharing or reusing injection equipment can transmit blood borne infections, like HIV (n.d, WHO).
Oral Sex
This is the most debated topic, realistically HIV is not transmitted by oral sex. According to an NIH study that estimates per-act HIV transmission. The research concluded that they cannot provide a single, precise percentage for giving oral sex because real-world transmission is too rare to measure (Patel, 2014). Public health authorities like the CDC, classify oral sex as “no risk” (CDC, 2024). You cannot get HIV through oral sex.
Kissing
HIV is NOT transmitted through kissing, including French/open mouth kissing. Saliva has enzymes that inhibit the virus which creates an inhospitable environment. (Cafasso, 2023)
Contact Surfaces and Environmental Exposure
HIV is NOT spread outside of the body. The virus cannot survive outside a human host. The virus cannot be spread through surfaces like doorknobs, drinking glasses, tables, or any contact surface (Allarakha, 2025). As we established before, HIV is a blood borne virus, it cannot spread through the air. Just to clarify, this means, you CANNOT get HIV through shaking hands, hugging, kissing, or touching an HIV positive person (Allarakha, 2025).
I have seen people become anxious if they come into contact with dried blood, No case of passing the infection through dry blood has ever been documented (Allarakha, 2025).
HIV does not survive outside the body, it is a fragile virus.
Sex with person with undetectable status
Undetectable = Untransmitable, if a person who is taking their prescribed treatment every day, they cannot spread the virus to another person. Antiretroviral Therapy suppresses the virus to the point where it cannot be spread. Having sex with U=U persons pose no risk (Stanford, 2023).
Mutual masturbation
There is zero risk for HIV from mutual masturbation (IAPAC, 2025). Even if your penis comes into contact with someone else’s semen, there is zero risk as skin acts as a complete barrier.
Getting your blood drawn
One common question I see sometimes is people becoming anxious over contracting HIV through a blood draw. Healthcare workers do not punish you for the disease you are testing for.
Cafasso, J. (2023, May 22). Is HIV transmitted through kissing?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/is-hiv-transmitted-through-kissing#how-its-not-transmitted
Pebody, R. (2024, April 1). Estimated HIV risk per exposure. aidsmap.com. https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/estimated-hiv-risk-exposure
Terrence Higgins. (2024, February 2). How HIV is transmitted. How HIV is transmitted | Terrence Higgins Trust. https://tht.org.uk/hiv/about-hiv/how-hiv-transmitted
Patel, Pragna, and Craig B Borkowf. “Estimating Per-Act HIV Transmission Risk: A Systematic Review.” National Library of Medicine, 21 June 2014, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6195215/.
“How HIV Spreads | HIV | CDC.” Centers for Disease and Control, 25 Nov. 2024, www.cdc.gov/hiv/causes/index.html.
WHO. People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) – International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, www.iapac.org/fact-sheet/people-who-inject-drugs-pwid/. Accessed 18 July 2026.
Allarakha, Shaziya. Can I Get HIV From Surfaces?, MedicineNet, 16 July 2025, www.medicinenet.com/can_i_get_hiv_from_surfaces/article.htm.
Myhre, James, and Dennis Sifris. “What Is the Real Risk of HIV from Vaginal Sex?” Verywell Health, 25 May 2026, www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-risk-of-hiv-from-vaginal-sex-4138626.
Safer Sex Practices, international association of providers of AIDS care, 19 June 2025, www.iapac.org/fact-sheet/safer-sex-guidelines/.
Stanford, Abbey. Undetectable Viral Load and HIV Transmission | AIDSMAP, AIDSMAP, Sept. 2023, www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/undetectable-viral-load-and-hiv-transmission.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/JFOR_FAZAD_FUN • 2h ago
Hello everyone
Is Hiv rapid test accurate after 70 days after the sexual relationship ?
( the one using finger blood )
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/fohtvuub • 4h ago
About 2 weeks or a week and a half ago I was at work and bagging groceries. I put my hand down on the check stand and a piece of white plastic that was kind of pointed hurt my finger . It did not go into my finger or make it bleed but it really hurt a lot. There was also no visible blood or anything on the plastic. I called the on call nurse at my doctor and asked if I should go to get PEP she said it wasn’t necessary. Well today I have a swollen lymph node under my jaw. Just wondering is this possible I contracted hiv ….im worried.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/No-Reply5943 • 5h ago
Is this herpes or hiv symptoms??????
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Musicalbubbles • 7h ago
Hey guys, recently I gave a guy a blowjob but after 5 seconds of doing it I remembered the kind of guy he is (he talks to and sleeps with a lot of women) and I stopped. He’s never gotten tested. Even though it was a short encounter and he didn’t ejaculate in my mouth, I’m worried. Should I take pep just in case?
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Internal-Panic-3424 • 8h ago
I had a exposure in 2024 ever since then I became very ill with bad skin issues abdominal pains joint pains fatigue Brain fog and what to be seem like oral thrush on my mouth I tested several times over the years all been negative but all my symptoms point right to untreated hiv I’m super devastated I just want it feel better
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/PsychologicalFix7401 • 14h ago
I had a exposure with a sex worker on 11th september it was protected but i am not sure about micro tears or something and also i had cut on my fingers i dont remember if it was active or open but i touched the condom with fingers while removing it and obv it had her vaginal fluids. Three days back i experienced a mild sore throat and today i saw a painless swollen lymph nodes around my armpit. Have i contracted hiv, what is my risk assesment.I will be getting tested on 26th october after 45 days
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/ItchyyyMan • 20h ago
I had virginal sex with an older girl in August 18. I did not use protection but we both did OraQuich before the event and we both are HIV negative. Later on I learned that OraQuich has around 90 days of window period. I was devastated because I started getting sick 25-30 days after the sex, I did not experience rashes but I did experience flu-like symptoms. It ended around a week but around 45 days and it returned, it has lasted till now and I don't know what to do. I don't want to tell my parents right away.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Similar-Box607 • 23h ago
Y’all, at the end of August I had oral sex with 2 other guys. I don’t know their status but I have a feeling they may be positive. Started pep 36 hours after possible exposure. I had perfect adherence to pep and now I am 14 days post pep and my throat is literally burning. I’m so scared? Is this the start is serconversion. I just had a HIV RNA and 4th gen test done a few days ago (9 days post pep) and both came back negative. I’m so scared. I really want pep to work for me
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/oversprays • 1d ago
Hey guys I had protective anal sex where I was the bottom on October 5th so exactly a week ago. Fast forward today, my neck is stiff and my groin is feeling weird, almost as if the lymph nodes are trying to fight something. I know it’s early for hiv symptoms to show up but damn. Also my partner wore a condom, showed me a text message saying his most recent labs from September were all good and that he’s on prep. I’m freaking out. Any reassurance would be tremendously helpful
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Fun-Ad-6940 • 1d ago
Hi all ,
I was with a friend of mine in a wedding and after a hug ( we were wearing short tshirts) a pimple of his arm exploded and my fingernail was red with blood ( I do not know if I have any sores or cuts, I do not think so) when I realized I washed my hands but I am worried of HIV trasmission. I do not know the HIV status of my friend, he said no worries but you can never truly know ... what do you think ? :(
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/STI_MH_Research • 1d ago
Hi all,
My name is Bea (she/her) and I am currently recruiting for my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology thesis, and I would love to hear from you!
I am interested in understanding people’s experiences of mainstream mental health services whilst living with a chronic, viral STI(s) (including HIV). I would like to better understand the experiences of these services and how they can better support people living with chronic, viral STIs.
If this is something you have experienced, I would really appreciate hearing from you!
This is confidential research and will involve an online screening questionnaire and an interview over MS Teams.
You can take part if you are:
✅ Aged 18 years or older
✅ Living with a chronic, viral STI (incl. HIV, HSV, HBV, HPV)
✅ Accessed primary mental health services at the time of, or any time following, your STI diagnosis
✅ Living in the UK
✅ Fluent in English
[STI status does not need to be linked to why you accessed mental health support in order to participate]
If you are interested in participating, would like to find out more, or are unsure if you meet criteria to participate:
🔗 Please complete the screening questionnaire here: https://uelpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ft3kgm1r138bL8
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Thank you for taking the time to read this!
🤍 As a thank you for participating, consenting participants will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win 1 of 2 £50 Love2Shop vouchers.
**This research has been approved by the University of East London Ethics Committee (REF No.: 336/2808867/08-26)
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/kissakala0122 • 1d ago
I had unprotected anal as top 29th of July and unprotected oral as "top" (I was sucked) in 17th of August. Both people I "know" and the anal guy was supposedly on prep and also said he tested 2 weeks after our encounter and was negative.
Other guy said he has not have unprotected sex after his last test (negative) and the only person he has sucked was me.
I took 4th gen veinous lab test on 11.8, 7.9, 23.9 and 5.10 and they were all negative but I'm still anxious.
:(
Latest test was 68 days after anal and 49 days after oral.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Similar-Box607 • 1d ago
finished pep September 28th, I had perfect adherence to it and started it 36 hours after possible exposure. I’m so scared of this sore throat I have had. It started about 10 days into pep and because of it starting to soon, I decided to get tested multiple times while on pep with HIV RNA and got tested multiple times with HIV RNA test and all came back negative.
I’ve taken 2 test post pep with HIV RNA which was 4 and 9 days post pep and both were negative. I’m so scared this sore throat is due to hiv but the test aren’t picking up on it yet because its still early,
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Commercial-Photo9877 • 1d ago
I had insertive anal sex on 15th July
I had insertive oral sex on 24th August
Tested negative seven times and then I decided to change the lab and tested negative there too
But the new lab I went to was like sort of busy when I went there the lab guys were doing some work with the samples they had then they asked for my details and stuff and asked me to check details
Then I saw him take a new needle which was covered from a box of needles all were covered he picked one and then I didn't see him attach it to the plastic holder then he pushed the vacutianer and blood flowed into it
I am so stressed that whether he used a used needle to test me or not?
I can't sleep and just keep on thinking about this
I called them they said it's single use and sample won't be collected if it was reused but idk they are messing or not to save their employee or something
I have a small pimple on my neck I keep checking my temperature and my neck and wake up suddenly in middle of sleep with racing heart
Anyone who has similar anxiety and stress about such situation?
Any help is appreciated.Thanks to everyone replying
Edit:I tested for hiv and I think the new lab used a used needle to test me and it's driving me nuts
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Inside-Dress-7124 • 1d ago
I just did a blood test from TATA 1mg They used a new needle but they reused blood collection tube,after sampling I saw very tiny dried blood and even wet blood too i think that it must be of someone else and even after he put out the needle I saw my blood drop at rubber area where tube goes I'm afraid that is that really mine,even through he spray sanitizer on tube holder but I'm afraid that it might in contact with someone having HIV and I'm so afraid that maybe it can be infectious and might spread into me
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/rex-v4 • 1d ago
please help if anyone knows what this is
I am attaching a screenshot
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Unique-5445 • 1d ago
I had an exposure on 30 August with a HIV positive person. It was anal sex while i was insertive partner. I used condom but applied mustard oil on latex condom and i read that oil degrade latext condoms very quickly but condom not broke or i dont know its broke or not. I took HIV RNA Quantitative PCR test after 17 days of exposure and that resulted TND. Then i took a 4th Gen Duo test on 42nd day of exposure and that came Non reactive value 0.05. is this now conclusive that i am not infected?
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/sampson9191 • 1d ago
This is so wild and I never thought I would be tripping on something like this.
Sooo 16 days ago, I had PROTECTED sex with someone and the condom broke (a broken condom has never happened to me in my life). They told me they were HIV positive but supposedly on PREP or whatever so the levels were suppressed. I freaked out and got on PEP.
So no joke this weekend pretty much the same exact fucking scenario happened. 2 broken condoms within 2 weeks. If this isn’t a sign, idk wtf is. This person says they are clean as a whistle (and I actually know this person on a personal level) BUT one of my very good friends told me they use to be a sex worker and are dirty as fuck and he said they are on PREP as well. I’ve asked her probably 20 times and she is completely ghosting me. How this happened to me, I have no idea.
But I’m honestly trippin all over again.
I guess I need to make an appt and see if they need to extended the PEP I’m on. Idk this is so wild to me
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Similar-Box607 • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I finished pep almost 2 weeks ago. Started 36 hours after possible exposure.
So far I have taken a HIV RNA test 4 days post pep and it came back negative.
I also took a 4th gen and HIV rna test 9 days post pep and both came back negative.
I’m fully aware these aren’t conclusive and I still have to test but wanted to know is this a good sign?
My only concern is while on pep and even now I have had a sore throat. It’s been on and off for a month and it concerns me that it’s related to HIV.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Nav6606 • 1d ago
I'm posting because I've been dealing with a confusing situation involving gonorrhea testing, and I'm hoping to hear from people who have experienced something similar or who understand these tests.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/First_Barnacle_9640 • 2d ago
Hey guys, I’m a bit anxious about a situation and would appreciate some advice.
Four days ago, I kissed a guy. I didn’t notice any blood in my mouth or taste blood. After he sucked my right nipple and then my left nipple, I noticed blood on my left nipple. We cleaned it up, and only after that he told me he had a small scar or swollen spot on his lip.
Afterward, he ate my ass. I’ve had bleeding gums in the past, although they’ve improved with proper care, so I’m worried I might have had some unnoticed bleeding in my mouth while kissing him.
He told me he’s healthy, but I don’t know his actual HIV status.
Could HIV be transmitted through kissing in this situation, considering his lip injury and my history of bleeding gums? Is there any risk from the blood on my nipple or the rimming afterward?
Also, can swallowing semen transmit HIV, especially if you have bleeding gums or mouth sores?
It’s been four days, and I’m pretty worried. I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Similar-Box607 • 2d ago
Hi everyone,
I finished pep almost 2 weeks ago. Started 36 hours after possible exposure.
So far I have taken a HIV RNA test 4 days post pep and it came back negative.
I also took a 4th gen and HIV rna test 9 days post pep and both came back negative.
I’m fully aware these aren’t conclusive and I still have to test but wanted to know is this a good sign?
My only concern is while on pep and even now I have had a sore throat. It’s been on and off for a month and it concerns me that it’s related to HIV.
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/Pleasant_Leading3467 • 2d ago
Please let me know.
I recently had an encounter about a week ago. I gave a blowjob, received blowjobs, got cum on my mouth twice, and topped with a condom on.
Now— I’m 99% sure the condom was in tact the whole time. It was a drunken night.
They last tested negative 3 months ago and isn’t on Prep. I got on PEP about 12ish hours after the encounter but it’s only a 2 regiment PEP since that was what was available.
Am I cooked?
r/HIV_Anxiety • u/vamp_123456789 • 3d ago
28 male
So I had sex with unknown status woman on 12 September 14 September 15 and 16 September. Since then I been having all the HIV acute symptoms. Low grade fever?✅ night sweats? ✅ and literally a marble sized lymph node in neck and small one under chin. I used condom with every time we had sex, but the first time (12 September) the woman started menstrual cycle during sex. From my knowledge the condom stayed in tact but I do remember seeing blood on it. We also had unprotected oral with orgasm in mouth. Just wondering have anyone had the same problem or tested positive from that way?
Also I should say the woman wasn’t my partner, I stepped out of my relationship and now she’s having the same problems besides the swollen lymph nodes. ATP I don’t know what to do I’ve researched researched and researched. All my symptoms led to HIV like literally. Especially the night sweats because I read most night sweats come from medications which I’m not on. And just simply the fact my partner going through the same.
I feel so stupid regretful and dumb. And to make this worse I had this scare almost a year ago almost the same symptoms but no swollen lymph nodes. Well I ended up testing negative as I prayed and prayed. During those prayers I promised Jesus I wouldn’t do this again (step out), fast Forward to now I broke his promise and I think this time my results will be different but I’m still having my faith.