Is 12 month negative hiv test good enough?A doctor told me get tested again in six and 12 months more?

well i have unprotected sex only once and thats a year and a half ago.ive been check 4 times in a year the 12th month being the last

An negative HIV test given at 3 months post exposure is considered accurate more than 99% of the time. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months if someone has a pre-existing severely weakened immune system ....cancer chemo/radiation, organ recipients....

You should change doctors if s/he stated you need to test beyond 6 months post-exposure...you seem to be saying that your doc suggested you get tested 2 years after an exposure????That's just ridiculous. Unless, s/he was suggesting routine HIV screening every 6 months. This may be warranted depending on your circumstances.....but not to rule out a possible infection from an exposure two years ago!

The other answer'er' is right about most of what she said, however I strongly object to her statement that protected sex between men is more risky than protected sex between a man and a woman. Blanket statements like that are problematic and in this case, not true.

And condoms, used effectively and consistently, GREATLY reduce the chance of HIV transmission.

If you never had unprotected sex for about 3 months they say the test is 99 % accurate. Some say that it is better to test after 6 months of last unprotected sex to really make sure since in rare occasions it can take up to 6 months for some people to get antibodies against HIV. If you have not had unprotected sex with anyone or used injection drugs I would not run to the doc to get tested every 6 months or even every year. The only reason a person should get tested is if they participated in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or injection drug use. Men who have sex with men is also a risky behavior even with condoms. CONDOMS REDUCE YOUR CHANCES BUT THEY ARE NOT A 100% EFFECTIVE.

A person is required to get tested in accordance to their life style. If you are exposed to other peoples body fluids be it sexually or thru sharing needles then you would get asked to get tested at a different rate then a person who has protected sex with one partner.

To answer your question 6 months is common practice - it all is designed to your life style - I am not doubting the suggestion of the MD although I don't know your life style but if it makes you feel better I am an HIV counselor.

One exposure can take many months to show in any testing. If you feel you have been exposed at any point, I think that your doctors advice is sound

For HIV the window period is 3 months so if you have been checked a couple of times since your last unprotected experience you will be fine.