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Antibody testing at 23 days
I had an HIV exposure a month ago. I had an antibody HIV test done at 14 days and 23 days and both have come back negative. How reliable are these tests that soon? I've gathered that six months is essentially absolute certainty and it sounds like three months is pretty certain as well. I'm trying not to freak but having a hard time. I'm planning on getting a test done at six weeks.
its good that u have the courage to test and know ur status at 14 and 23 days but its not enough, testing at 6 months applicable for PEP users, and people who take immunusuppressive drugs.....
Go on have a test @ 6-8 week this is a good indication of your status but keep in mind that testing beyond 12 weeks is conclusive..... for the moment of waiting for ur testing period, keep urself busy inorder to avoid hiv anxiety... take care of ur health always brother....
Go on have a test @ 6-8 week this is a good indication of your status but keep in mind that testing beyond 12 weeks is conclusive..... for the moment of waiting for ur testing period, keep urself busy inorder to avoid hiv anxiety... take care of ur health always brother....
PCR-RNA tests are supplemental tests and are not stand alone tests and must be used in conjunction with an antibody test. anxiety12's information was incorrect and incomplete.
Most HIV tests are antibody tests that measure the antibodies your body makes against HIV. It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect, and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the “window period.” Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some individuals will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. Therefore, if the initial negative HIV test was conducted within the first 3 months after possible exposure, repeat testing should be considered >3 months after the exposure occurred to account for the possibility of a false-negative result. Ninety-seven percent of persons will develop antibodies in the first 3 months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to 6 months to develop antibodies to HIV.
Another type of test is an RNA test, which detects the HIV virus directly. The time between HIV infection and RNA detection is 9–11 days. These tests, which are more costly and used less often than antibody tests, are used in some parts of the United States
Another type of test is an RNA test, which detects the HIV virus directly. The time between HIV infection and RNA detection is 9–11 days. These tests, which are more costly and used less often than antibody tests, are used in some parts of the United States
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