4th Generation Test after 8 weeks

[frankly81]

Hi

Quick question if I may please.
How accurate is a 4th generation or Duo (antigen p24 and antibody) HIV test, 7 weeks and 5 days after a single exposure?

Please advise.

[Teak]

May but may not that is the reason they issue a repeat test at three months is still recommended to definitively exclude HIV infection.

[frankly81]

Thanks

So when they talk about shortening the window period by 1-2 weeks with 4th generation tests they mean 10-11 weeks instead of 12??

[Teak]

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/BloodBloodProducts/ApprovedProducts/LicensedProductsBLAs/BloodDonorScreening/InfectiousDisease/UCM216314.pdf

Page 27
Current methods for the detection of HIV may not detect all infected individuals. An ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo test result that is nonreactive does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. Nonreactive results in this assay for individuals with prior exposure to HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 may be due to antigen and antibody levels below the limit of detection of this assay.


UK testing guidelines.
Post-test discussion

The need for a repeat HIV test if still within the window period after a specific exposure should be discussed. Although fourth generation tests shorten the time from exposure to seroconversion a repeat test at three months is still recommended to definitively exclude HIV infection.

http://www.bhiva.org/documents/Guidelines/Testing/GlinesHIVTest08.pdf

[butterflies85]

From what I have read I would say you are going to get a pretty accurate result. I believe 4th generation is the most up to date test (I could be wrong) and since you are only 2 days out from 8 weeks I would doubt it is going to make much difference.

Good Luck :-)