Hi, I had a protected exposure 3 months ago with a sex worker of unknown status - assumed positive. I have done 4 tests since then all come back negative, last two tests were 8 weeks and 12 weeks (83 days to be exact) after the exposure the index values were 0.23 and 0.62 respectively, now I am a bit worried about the last test as it is significantly higher than the test before. I can't find a clear explanation on what this numbers mean and why they vary, can I consider my results conclusive and move on?

Home / Answered Questions / Hi, I had a protected exposure 3 months ago with a sex worker of unknown status – assumed positive. I have done 4 tests since then all come back negative, last two tests were 8 weeks and 12 weeks (83 days to be exact) after the exposure the index values were 0.23 and 0.62 respectively, now I am a bit worried about the last test as it is significantly higher than the test before. I can’t find a clear explanation on what this numbers mean and why they vary, can I consider my results conclusive and move on?

Hi, I had a protected exposure 3 months ago with a sex worker of unknown status – assumed positive. I have done 4 tests since then all come back negative, last two tests were 8 weeks and 12 weeks (83 days to be exact) after the exposure the index values were 0.23 and 0.62 respectively, now I am a bit worried about the last test as it is significantly higher than the test before. I can’t find a clear explanation on what this numbers mean and why they vary, can I consider my results conclusive and move on?

Hi and thanks for question.

I am afraid that I do now know what you are referring to when you reference index values.

Here in BC, STI results are generally reported to clients and clinicians as positive or negative, reactive or nonreactive, or in the case of syphilis they may attach reference numbers to the results.

Sometimes hepatitis results may indicate values, but these tests are not generally done as part of routine STI screening.

For routine STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV) testing 3 months after the exposure would cover all window periods (time from exposure to when a test may be able to pick up a positive result).

If the person that tested you has received the results and they are not calling you back in for treatment or for further follow up, you can consider your results conclusive.

Hope this helps.

Health Nurse

This answer was posted on December 5, 2018.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

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