3 month or 6 month?

[Andrewjh]

I dont understand. I heard from one site that it is 3 months and then another it is 6 months to be conclusive. I also heard the new elisa tests have just the 3 month window period now even for people with suppressed immune systems. Can somebody who knows what they are talking about help me out here. I had a negative at 4 months but am worried I took the test to soon. Thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

your immune system is not severely compromised.  your test was reliable and conclusive.

[angeldoll]

hi i worked in a hospital 2 years ago had a patient that was hiv positive had there stool on my leg i had a little cut i found out i was having a baby so had got tested came back ok that was in the 6 months i was pragant it will be 2 years in march i had a test done 4 weeks ago came back ok but i had the test done because i been very sick my immune sysem is very bad from alot of stress and not eating well can  that give me neg test for 2 years for my immune system being down from stress and other things thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

ppl with SEVERELY COMPROMISED immune systems may take longer to test positive.  it severly compromised...i mean ppl who are on chemotherapy...those on anti-rejection drugs after an organ transplant...and CHRONIC iv drug users.

now move along.

[LIZZIE LOU]

you have been advised on both the expert forum AND the community forum that you were never at risk of contracting hiv from having PROTECTED sex.

you did not need to test...but since you did...your four month test should be PROOF POSITIVE that you did not contract hiv.

any further questions or comments should be directed to the anxiety forum...as you do not have a hiv concern and we can do nothing further to help you.

[Andrewjh]

ok last post. so say i didnt use a condom why would some people take longer than 3 months to develop antibodies

[Teak]

Had your condom broke you would have known.

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[Andrewjh]

easy there is always a risk. Condoms break they are not 100%

[Teak]

What part of you didn't have a risk is it that you don't understand?

[Andrewjh]

"In very rare cases, it can take up to 6 months to develop antibodies to HIV."

This is what it says on cdc. So who would take longer than 3 months to test positive?

[Teak]

Very reliable which you don't need to begin with. You did not have a risk.

[Andrewjh]

so how reliable is the 3rd generation elisa test

[Teak]

It doesn't and it doesn't tell you to test when you had protected sex. The guidelines on testing were changed in 2004.

[Andrewjh]

so why does cdc recommend  6 months then? im not trying to be rude just wondering

[Teak]

Had you had a risk which you didn't, you had protected sex, 3 months would be conclusive.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/764623?personal_page_id=414557&post_id=post_4001827