i have just read a thread in body .com what Dr Bob says that if u have a high risk activities, then 6 month test is warrented. another one is if you know that ur partner is HIV positive then 6 month test is warrented...oooppss... very confusing........... so briefly 1. if you know the status of partner positive then window period 6 month 2. if u dont know the status of partner then 3 month is conclusive...

plz clarify........

how a person knows that risk is high or low.. or window period depends upon type of exposure???

Hi, there:

It sure is confusing isn't it! Let me try and explain. If we start with lets say 100 people. Out of those 100 people, three people have HIV. If you have sex with one of the 100 people at random, the likelihood that you will be exposed to HIV is pretty low. If you knowingly have sex with one of the three people with HIV, then the risk is inherently higher because that person actually has HIV.

In addition, whether or not it is oral sex or penetrative (anal or vaginal) sex also increases the likelihood that transmission could occur.

Three months is considered conclusive. However, if you have a known exposure to someone with HIV, then a six-month test is suggested - just to be extra cautious, however, the three-month window still stands. A known exposure to HIV means that the risk was higher because the virus was actually present.

Bottom line: Stick with testing every three to six months (just because), and you'll be A OK!

In health,

Richard