4, 6, 12, 13 weeks window period?

Most HIV experts says 4-6 weeks HIV Duo tests results are conclusive, including H. Hunter Handsfield, MD; but most here at the medical community are attached to the 3 months mark. I remeber someone saying about conclusiveness of Duo test results before 12 weeks "these doctors don't write the guidelines" but i can see H. Hunter Handsfield, MD as one of the writers of the 2006 CDC Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings.

So, my question is ¿is he wrong on his statements?

French guideline establishes 6 weeks as conclusive with the Duo test ¿why?

[av91181]

What do you think about this?

[Teak]

The window period is 4 weeks to 3 months. You can obtain a conclusive negative test result 3 months post exposure.

[pintu80p]

at 6 weeks it is 95% done & at 90 days 99.99% accurate & cuclusive

[nursegirl6572]

but i can see H. Hunter Handsfield, MD as one of the writers of the 2006 CDC Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings.


That's not the same thing as testing manufacturers setting guidelines.  Not to mention, the CDC's guideline is 3 months also.

[RainLover71]

The CDC also states in it's guidelines that an RNA by PCR has a window period of 9 to 11 days.

[Teak]

That is not correct at all. PCR-RNA tests cannot give a conclusive negative result any earlier than any other test. A PCR-RNA test is not a stand alone test and has to be followed up with an antibody test.

[av91181]

One last question:

1. - Is a 12 weeks result with the duo definitive and conclusive or should someone need to go for further testing?
2. - Is late seroconversion an urban myth with duo tests for HIV-1?
3. - Are 12 weeks enough to discard completely HIV-2?

[RainLover71]

1.YES 2.YES 3.YES

[Teak]

No late seroconversion does happen. I'm  sorry you were ill advised. Those that may have a later than normal seroconversion are those on Chemo, those that take antirejection drugs for organ transplants and chronic IV drug abusers.

[av91181]

Thanks... One more thing:

12 weeks in medical terms are equal to 3 months right?