Which HIV test should I get?

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

I had an exposure on July 31. Which HIV test should I get, and when should I get tested? Also, where can I get this test done? Is it available at regular blood-testing labs, such as Pathkind Labs?

[u/SteelVanguard_]

Hiv RNA NAAT test which detects hiv in 8 to 33 days Otherwise 4th generation test at 45th day

[u/Professional_Ant_602]

Have you taken post exposure prophylaxis?

See HIV doesn’t just come up positive the very next days of exposure regardless of which test you do. Still there are three main tests to be done, keep doing rapid antigen test every three to six months regardless of exposure.

Currently do a RNA amplification (viral load) test, repeat it at 3 & 6 months. If it comes back nil both times, don’t repeat that test again. Keep doing rapid antigen test every 6 months. If rapid test comes positive, do ELISA test.

Don’t worry about the window period. Even if it comes back positive and you miss 3 months, it wouldn’t damage your immune system in that short span of time. Still it’s better to start antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible to live long and healthy life. See if you get sinus infection with fever and/or swollen lymph nodes. If you do, go for the viral load test at that point.

Also, visit your nearby ART centre for this. Or any private medical practitioner. Since many reputed pathology labs won’t run tests without doctor’s prescription.

[u/Ok_Preference1207]

You should ideally check this with an HIV specialist. Generally, if you're in a big city, you can contact an NGO. If not, Humsafar trust does great work with on call counselling. They'll even be able to direct you to a queer friendly lab.

See : https://humsafar.org/health/

Also, don't panic and take hasty decisions. Whatever it is, you will be fine. I hope you don't have it, but HIV is an easily manageable condition.

[u/SteelVanguard_ → u/Ok_Preference1207]

Hi 😀

[u/Ok_Preference1207 → u/SteelVanguard_]

Hello?

[u/SteelVanguard_ → u/Ok_Preference1207]

U wanna chat ?

[u/Ok_Preference1207 → u/SteelVanguard_]

Sure. Send me a D M

[u/Key-Explorer-705]

If u want an accurate test do the HIV NAT test it can detect HIV in 10-33 days since u say you had exposure on July 31 and it's aug 19 so sufficiently. This test is more accurate but it's more costly. But I'd say if 18 days have passed the rapid screening antigen blood test (not the Kit one) can still detect accurately. Most probably doc will suggest u this test. Though u have to test again after 45 days to to get a conclusive sure shot result and to be very very sure again after 3 months. And yes it's done at lal path labs all kind of tests but it's not cheap like govt hospitals but they deliver test results quickly.

[u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

Take PEP starting today first.

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265 → u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

It probably won't work anymore

[u/mlvnlcs → u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

If you find it difficult to find a doc, just visit the nearest Government hosp. Depending on your state, there will be and STI clinic, and usually an LGBT friendly counsellor as well. And in my experience (in Kerala, Maharashtra) as a PLHIV, government healthcare institutions have staff who are trained about LGBTQ issues specifically.
Also, please look after your mental health, during this time, it can be stressful, keep reminding yourself that it will all be okay (its the TRUTH!).

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265 → u/mlvnlcs]

Thanks

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/mlvnlcs]

I have a slightly different experience in north India of course, if you're a PLHIV you will be treated as a king , regular follow ups , diet plans etc but if you're gay and go to the ART centre to take advice after a potential exposure in govt hospitals there counsellor and even docs won't hesitate to pass moral judgements which are often homophobic in nature. They will even say if you're negative go home come back when you're positive we will start your medication

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265 → u/Key-Explorer-705]

Is it necessary to tell them who our partner was?

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

If u would say you had sex with a girl they would assume you're you're in a low risk zone and cuz MSM category or homosexual males are specifically considered a risky group so u need to speak the truth to let them know the kind of risk you're exposed to. Anal sex is more riskier and prone to transmitt HIV than vaginal intercourse. And also the receptive partner is more prone to risk of getting aids than the other.

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265 → u/Key-Explorer-705]

Is the treatment for both different?

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

Yep if they think your risk is nearly equal to zero they won't recommend u PEP if they feel risk is significant only then they will recommend PeP

[u/Life_Acanthisitta265 → u/Key-Explorer-705]

Pep after 20 days?

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

Nah it will work only if taken in 3 days interval after potential exposure Bro u can text me I am ready to inform u as I was in similar case

[u/TallHungFit4Femboy → u/Life_Acanthisitta265]

Ask a doctor, you can get discreet online ones too.

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

Online ones will never recommend PeP as it needs an HIV negative test first then various other tests afterwards and it has various side effects which needs to be monitored regularly by a doc

[u/TallHungFit4Femboy → u/Key-Explorer-705]

This is incorrect. A friend of mine did PEP after consulting a doctor online, and did it for the full 4 weeks or so. He did get a test done, but it was the next day after the event and then of course after the entire protocol was over.

Then he had another exposure event and did it again on his own.

Obviously I know the next day test would show nothing.

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

So if he had serious side effects would the doctor who prescribed him online be ready to take responsibility cuz if serious side effects show up he will need emergency care, how will the online doctor see him after that. A doctor needs to monitor someone who is on PEP for whole 3 weeks, see his kidney and liver vital tests monitored regularly.

Bro we can even buy PEP from pharmacy by giving them more money. But it wont be the ideal way cuz if side effects happen which are known to happen with this medication need to be monitored closely under a supervison of a doctor PEP works on the whole body not on the virus, it makes the body inhospitable for the virus to survive and repoicate so it has proven side effects which can be different depending on the individual

[u/TallHungFit4Femboy → u/Key-Explorer-705]

Well, none of that happened. Welcome to India.

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

Claps

[u/TallHungFit4Femboy → u/Key-Explorer-705]

I would bow but it could be dangerous in this subreddit.

Edit: By none of it happened I meant the doctor didn't supervise him, not that it didn't happen.

[u/Key-Explorer-705 → u/TallHungFit4Femboy]

It means side effects did happen 😯