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STDs (Expert Forum)
Hiv testing
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Hiv testing
by mcleanmm, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
Hello, General Hiv testing question, Had unprotected vaginal sex with a lady on 4 seperate encounters, she has assured me that she is hiv neg, had a a antibody test done at aprox 53 days after exposure , result negative. Test was done in Calgary , Alberta Canada. Was told that test was MEIA, question is - is this as reliable as ELISA and if not is 7.5 weeks reliable? Will not get into symptons or lack of as i understand this is no clear indication of infection regardless. The test was done at an STD clinic and was told procedure is re-testing at 3 and 6 months, Thank you for your time
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
I'm not familiar with the abbreviation MEIA, but EIA is the same as ELISA. (EIA = Enzyme ImmunoAssay, just a short version of ELISA = Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). I don't know what the M stands for. But I am certain that any such test licensed for use in Canada is just as good as any other test. I'm sure the 7.5 week test is reliable, but some clinics and public health experts still give conservative advice to retest in 3 months. Few recommend 6 months. In any case, it sounds like you had zero-risk exposure. You can be rock-solid, 100% certain you don't have HIV (assuming there aren't other more recent exposures you don't describe).
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Member Comments (4)
by mcleanmm, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
Thank you for your promt and to the point answer
by Willl, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
M stands for microparticle.
by mcleanmm, Apr 18, 2006 12:00AM
Went for my 14 week follow up test today, my test at 7.5 weeks was negetive, as my original post indicated. My concern is when i went for my 14week follow up was told at the std clinic that my previous test was only 50% accurate. This has me terribly concerned as i have a week left to wait for my results , any comments would be helpfull , thanks from alberta canada
