- HIV tests can give false negative results for up to seven months after infection
- This may encourage people to have unprotected sex thinking they are HIV free
- Preventative drug PrEP may reduce the virus so it is not detectable by tests
- Some claim PrEP encourages people to have unprotected sex, spreading STIs
- Expert advises PrEP users have an HIV test every month, not four times a year
People taking a controversial preventative HIV drug could give false negative results for up to seven months, new research suggests.
Tests are unable to pick up the virus in those taking PrEP, a US study found.
Infected people may then have unprotected sex thinking they are HIV free, the researchers warn.
PrEP is approved for people at a high risk of HIV infection, such as those with an affected partner.
Critics claim it encourages sexual promiscuity, which could increase the transmission of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
HIV tests give false negative results for up to seven months (stock)
Leave a Reply