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4th generation test
Question about my 4th generation I took at exactly 9 weeks. I want to know if is conclusive. I also had PCR RNA at 21 days, pNAAT at 23 days antibody at 6 weeks. Please in very worried. Thank you.
Best Answer
Vance is right. Your Rapid test at 84 or 86 days, is completely conclusive.
We don't say these things to make you feel good.
Take care.
We don't say these things to make you feel good.
Take care.
I want to thank everybody on this forum who have gave sanity through out this process, at some point I was convinced I was HIV+, my wife had the number symptom and here negative at 3 month. Happy and still trying to mentally come out. Than you guys I will definitely pay it forward. Wish all you volunteers all the best. God bless. I will update at 6 month I guess.
Had a rapid test at 86 days feel so good and bless. Now I have to figured out how to move on.
'It is impossible to have HIV and still have a negative duo/combo (antibodies/p24 antigen),beyond about 4 week's.'
DR HANDSFIELD
You can rest assured that if you have a negative HIV Duo/Combo test at 4 week's, you are fine and do not have HIV.
DR SEAN CUMMINGS (Freedom Health)
DR HANDSFIELD
You can rest assured that if you have a negative HIV Duo/Combo test at 4 week's, you are fine and do not have HIV.
DR SEAN CUMMINGS (Freedom Health)
I know I'm trying to Manage but is hard. Good luck. I'm counting down the days 6 to go.
Trust your results. It will not change and yes the duo test covers both hiv 1 and 2. God bless!
You should be totally relaxed, the current test tabs are upgraded and can detect the virus or antigen or antibody early, hence hiv 2 takes a bit time but its a very rare one. your test of 9 weeks I can guarantee you its conclusive as long as you did pcr 21 days and 4th gen 9 weeks. you are completely safe and clear. and take note most of the people on this forum are not specialist neither are they doctors. follow your personal doctors advise. rest assured nothing is changing except you expose yourself again. read my post and see my story and experience.....
Hi bro, I'm currently in your situation right now. We have 2 more weeks to wait and no one understand this feeling more than I do. The anxiety and guilt is oozing out and we constantly anticipated the worst news even though we already tested hiv duo negative past 4 weeks which is the window period. I know this period is very cruel some ( I mean it) and I sincerely hope we will test negative in the next 2 weeks.
God bless.
God bless.
This is not a question,
I am sharing information from officials and not opinions even from specialized Drs.
The Window defer from test to test From 4 weeks to Maximum 12 weeks depend on the test taken
Lets start in the most conservative which is CDC in USA:
What does a negative test result mean?
A negative result does not necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period—the period after you may have been exposed to HIV but before a test can detect it. The window period depends on the kind of test that was used on your blood or oral fluid. For antibody tests, if you get a negative result within 3 months of your most recent possible exposure, you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark. For RNA tests or antibody/antigen tests, that timeframe may be shorter. Ask your health care provider if and when you need to be retested with a negative test result. And meanwhile, practice abstinence or mutual monogamy with a trusted partner, use condoms every time you have sex (and for every sex act—anal, oral, or vaginal), and don't share needles and other drug equipment (works).
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
From the a above, (you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark) which means the maximum window for the Antibody test is three months and it is less when it comes to the combo (4th generation)
from their new release chart, it is 3-4 weeks earlier see link
http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2014/HIV-Testing-in-Laboratories-graphics.html
Going to UK which has been using the 4th generation test before the US and based on their data and the Department of health announcement based on BASHH recommendation:
"A negative result on a fourth generation test performed at 4 weeks post-exposure is highly likely to exclude HIV infection. A further test at 8 weeks post-exposure need only be considered following an event assessed as carrying a high risk of infection."
So from the above it is clear that 4 weeks is sufficient however 8 weeks is reassurance for high risk.
and in their previous statement on 2010 they have mentioned that by 12 weeks it is definitive.
https://www.google.com.sa/search?rlz=1C1GGGE_enSA525SA596&espv=2&q=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&oq=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&gs_l=serp.3..33i21.2470.3035.0.3180.5.5.0.0.0.0.150.150.0j1.1.0.msedr...0...1c.1.62.serp..4.1.149.p1gn-aVJcK8
In Eroupe:
Interpreting negative HIV test results. Individuals whose specimens test negative on the initial HIV screening should be considered non infected unless the patient presents with symptoms of primary HIV infection or has a history of recent (6 weeks for fourth generation assays, 12 weeks for other assays) high-risk exposure (IV, C)
. In the case of recent exposure, the tests should be repeated at 6 weeks to 12 weeks (according to the test to be
used) from the time of exposure31,36,42 (IIb, B).
. Individuals with a high-risk exposure to HIV should
not be fully reassured until the test process is completed43 (IV, C).
. When using fourth generation assays, individuals who have a negative screening test after 6 weeks of
exposure may be recalled for a follow-up in specific circumstances, e.g. if post-exposure prophylaxis
(PEP) was given for any reason (e.g. occupational or sexual exposure), with patients who are very
anxious and seek further reassurance, where there is impaired ability to develop antibodies and where
there is microbiologically proven simultaneous acute infection with another viral pathogen, such as
human cytomegalovirus or hepatitis C virus.2,44–46 n this case, the final testing time may be 12 weeks
after exposure (IV, C).
So, For thr 4th generation window, it is 6 weeks.
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2014/2014IUSTIguidelineonHIVtesting.pdf
the link was taken from :
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/euroguidelines.htm
BC Centre for Disease Control, June 2010
"Earlier testing can help if clients are anxious about their HIV status following a potential
exposure to HIV. An early negative result at 6 weeks, which is likely to remain HIV negative at
three months, may help to reduce anxiety"
http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/2982E293-BD82-436D-B193-F929B5CEEBEC/0/HIVTestinginBCResourceDocumentforHealthProfessionalsJune2010.pdf
Going to WHO (World Health Organization)
Diagnosis
An HIV test reveals infection status by detecting the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV in the blood. Antibodies are produced by an individual’s immune system to fight off foreign pathogens. Most people have a "window period", usually 3 to 6 weeks, during which antibodies to HIV are still being produced and are not yet detectable.
This early period of infection represents the time of greatest infectivity, but transmission can occur during all stages of the infection. If someone has had a recent possible HIV exposure, retesting should be done after 6 weeks to confirm test results, which enables sufficient time to pass for antibody production in infected individuals.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/
I am sharing information from officials and not opinions even from specialized Drs.
The Window defer from test to test From 4 weeks to Maximum 12 weeks depend on the test taken
Lets start in the most conservative which is CDC in USA:
What does a negative test result mean?
A negative result does not necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period—the period after you may have been exposed to HIV but before a test can detect it. The window period depends on the kind of test that was used on your blood or oral fluid. For antibody tests, if you get a negative result within 3 months of your most recent possible exposure, you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark. For RNA tests or antibody/antigen tests, that timeframe may be shorter. Ask your health care provider if and when you need to be retested with a negative test result. And meanwhile, practice abstinence or mutual monogamy with a trusted partner, use condoms every time you have sex (and for every sex act—anal, oral, or vaginal), and don't share needles and other drug equipment (works).
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
From the a above, (you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark) which means the maximum window for the Antibody test is three months and it is less when it comes to the combo (4th generation)
from their new release chart, it is 3-4 weeks earlier see link
http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2014/HIV-Testing-in-Laboratories-graphics.html
Going to UK which has been using the 4th generation test before the US and based on their data and the Department of health announcement based on BASHH recommendation:
"A negative result on a fourth generation test performed at 4 weeks post-exposure is highly likely to exclude HIV infection. A further test at 8 weeks post-exposure need only be considered following an event assessed as carrying a high risk of infection."
So from the above it is clear that 4 weeks is sufficient however 8 weeks is reassurance for high risk.
and in their previous statement on 2010 they have mentioned that by 12 weeks it is definitive.
https://www.google.com.sa/search?rlz=1C1GGGE_enSA525SA596&espv=2&q=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&oq=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&gs_l=serp.3..33i21.2470.3035.0.3180.5.5.0.0.0.0.150.150.0j1.1.0.msedr...0...1c.1.62.serp..4.1.149.p1gn-aVJcK8
In Eroupe:
Interpreting negative HIV test results. Individuals whose specimens test negative on the initial HIV screening should be considered non infected unless the patient presents with symptoms of primary HIV infection or has a history of recent (6 weeks for fourth generation assays, 12 weeks for other assays) high-risk exposure (IV, C)
. In the case of recent exposure, the tests should be repeated at 6 weeks to 12 weeks (according to the test to be
used) from the time of exposure31,36,42 (IIb, B).
. Individuals with a high-risk exposure to HIV should
not be fully reassured until the test process is completed43 (IV, C).
. When using fourth generation assays, individuals who have a negative screening test after 6 weeks of
exposure may be recalled for a follow-up in specific circumstances, e.g. if post-exposure prophylaxis
(PEP) was given for any reason (e.g. occupational or sexual exposure), with patients who are very
anxious and seek further reassurance, where there is impaired ability to develop antibodies and where
there is microbiologically proven simultaneous acute infection with another viral pathogen, such as
human cytomegalovirus or hepatitis C virus.2,44–46 n this case, the final testing time may be 12 weeks
after exposure (IV, C).
So, For thr 4th generation window, it is 6 weeks.
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2014/2014IUSTIguidelineonHIVtesting.pdf
the link was taken from :
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/euroguidelines.htm
BC Centre for Disease Control, June 2010
"Earlier testing can help if clients are anxious about their HIV status following a potential
exposure to HIV. An early negative result at 6 weeks, which is likely to remain HIV negative at
three months, may help to reduce anxiety"
http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/2982E293-BD82-436D-B193-F929B5CEEBEC/0/HIVTestinginBCResourceDocumentforHealthProfessionalsJune2010.pdf
Going to WHO (World Health Organization)
Diagnosis
An HIV test reveals infection status by detecting the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV in the blood. Antibodies are produced by an individual’s immune system to fight off foreign pathogens. Most people have a "window period", usually 3 to 6 weeks, during which antibodies to HIV are still being produced and are not yet detectable.
This early period of infection represents the time of greatest infectivity, but transmission can occur during all stages of the infection. If someone has had a recent possible HIV exposure, retesting should be done after 6 weeks to confirm test results, which enables sufficient time to pass for antibody production in infected individuals.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/
Sharkboy,
Probably not, the hard thing about is the symptoms my wife had were so real. She had a cold and lymph nolds on her face were swollen and really painful. Never seen anything like it. Anxiety is killing me.
Probably not, the hard thing about is the symptoms my wife had were so real. She had a cold and lymph nolds on her face were swollen and really painful. Never seen anything like it. Anxiety is killing me.
The fact that you can't accept your 4th Gen test at 9 week's is conclusive; will you accept it as conclusive at 11 week's?
If I test at 11 weeks will that be conclusive? I can't take this anymore. I have lost 5lbs in 2 days.
Thank you.
But your 9 week 4th Gen test has already told you are negative.
In fact a 3rd Gen test at 8 week's would be considered conclusive by many expert's.
But feel free to test again. Your result won't change.
Post your result.
All the best.
But your 9 week 4th Gen test has already told you are negative.
In fact a 3rd Gen test at 8 week's would be considered conclusive by many expert's.
But feel free to test again. Your result won't change.
Post your result.
All the best.
Sharkboy thank you I'm literally crying right now. This has been so hard on me because I thought I had infected my wife as she had a swollen lymph nold. I'm having my final test next on Tuesday and can't wait to start my life again, hope is negative, and start brand new. I really have learned from and will love to help people that are going to through the same. I know my test at 10 weeks is a good sign but the 3 month mark is what's messing me up. Again thank you shark oh for taking the time to answer and help someone when one is so down and need the help.
One final question for Vance I can have some peace. Does hiv 2 antibody production have the same window period as hiv 1? Please answer so my headache can get better.
The worrying doesn't stop and I know is wrong but I just keep coming up with stupid things like hiv 2. I feel so sorry for everyone going through this....this is terrible and I don't know how to stop and get my life back. I want to be the same person but don't know if it will be possible.
Worry will only harm. Losing weight due to stress can weaken your immune system. You are safe.
Thanks that helps because every it says ulcers are signs of hiv. I'm driving my self crazy. I don't wish upon anyone very hard times for me. I have lost 15lbs.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
You should only retest (and they recommend at 8 weeks), if you have had a particularly high risk and is accompanied by symptoms.
I understand your concern, but in all truth and concerning the latest expert advice and coming from the world's best organizations concerning HIV, you are safe and negative; if as you said, you took a 4th Gen test at 9 week's.
Hope this helped.
Stay safe.