Ask a doctor on the topic of Other questions to doctors

Is the HIV test safe?

September 3, 2014 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello!
I had a risky contact 12 weeks ago. I want to take an antibody test next week. In the first 2 weeks after the risky situation, I had to randomly take an antibiotic for a prostate infection. The package insert states (although side effect 1 to 10 out of 10000) possible reduction of white blood cells (neutropenia). Can the antibiotic also affect the antibody formation so much after 12 weeks that an HIV antibody test is not yet reliable? AIDS help says it is still reliable after 12 weeks.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

The AIDS help is right: The test is safe because it does not determine the number of white blood cells, but HIV antibodies. Any possible neutropenia does not reduce the antibody production.

Best of luck with the test.

Warm regards, Dr. Höllering