I have one last questioni had unprotected sex with a prostitute, had fever 12 days after with sore neck. tested w/duo negative at 15, 19, 27, 32 and 40 days post exposure. am i in the clear? thankful covid vaccine doesnt affect results?

Almost certainly you were not infected, but on rare occasions it can take up to 45 days for the AgAb (duo) HIV blood test to turn positive. Your 40 day result is close (probably 99% reliable), but for a truly conclusive result have another test 45+ days after the event. And no, there are no medications or medical conditions that interfere with HIV test reliability, including the COVID vaccines.

I agree with Dr. Handsfield (as uual!). However,, HIV is only one of several STD's. Get checked for the others, including syphilis, gonorrhea and HSV. Practice safe sex going forward, of course.

Patients ...for HIV testing who identify a specific risk occurring more that 4 weeks previously, ....... should be offered a 4th generation laboratory HIV test and advised that a negative result at 4 weeks post exposure is very reassuring/highly likely to exclude HIV infection. An additional HIV test should be offered to all persons at 3 months ... to definitively exclude HIV infection.” BASHH