95% Pos in 4 weeks?

So 95% or so of infewcted people showing positive in 4 weeks - Is it only with the 3rd genertion ELISAs that this may be the case?
Would these these new 3rd generation tests be used in the UK? What about outside the high prevalence areas, say like the borders, highlands, where there are only a few hundred HIV tests done a year.?

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/524.html

[tom_shine]

4 weeks is a good test tak another at 8 and 13 weeks
good luck

[Frank303]

I've to wait until 12 weeks. They refuse to test me until then. Booking in 2 March.

And on that note I'm going out now to a house party before I become two dimensional. I'll lay off the booze though and try not to mention my tax return or  STIs.

[tom_shine]

get a home access

[jon33070]

it goes like this. six to 12 weeks, your ok. unless it was a known hiv person . than do six months.

[Teak]

You don't have to test out to 6 months even if you had sex with someone that is HIV positive. 3 months would be conclusive.

[ShirleyAnne]

what is a 3rd/4th generation test?

Is a rapid Anitbody test a 3rd or 4th generation test?

[negative_777]

you needn't to know which generation test,you only need to know your result of boold test.

[ShirleyAnne]

Actually, i think people need to know which kind of tests they are going to have. There are some modern tests which can be done post 28 days.

I have read on this site and elsewhere that 'newer' generations can be reliable at 6 weeks+.

So depending on the anxiety and desperation of cetain people they can rely on the different type of tests to obtain a faster result.

[Teak]

There are not many tests that go by generations as for needing to know what generation one test is over another doesn't matter when the test is done at 3 months.

[negative_777]

what is reliable?just window period,not newer generations.even you use newest generations test negative at 6weeks,would you stop to retest?can you move on?

[ShirleyAnne]

Yes, you're right that post 3 months it doesnt matter which test is used.

However, H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. (Jan 12, 2008 12:04PM) says:

"The 6 month window is theoretical and very rare, and almost all experts recommend a 3 month test (although with modern HIV tests, 6-8 weeks usually is sufficient). "

"It almost never takes longer than 6-8 weeks for modern HIV tests to become positive..."

And by Edward W Hook, MD, Jan 17, 2008 06:42PM:

"Hold out till 6 weeks for retesting then put it  behind you when you get your negative test results - given your circumstances, I would consider the 6 week result conclusive."

So, i guess the question still satnds as to what is meant by modern tests???

[Teak]

Any test that is taken today is a modern test. As for it never takes longer than 6-8 weeks to test positive is untrue. What should have been stated is, MOST people will seroconvert by 6-8 weeks. There are no tests that will give you a conclusive test result less than 3 months.