Aa
What's the difference?
Hello wats the difference between different hiv test such as blood test and oral swab test? Which are more accurate? Also is the duo test better as the expert doctors here say they are conclusive at 4 weeks?
Yes I am really happy at that result and yes I followed the instructions correctly and I got a line only at the c. I am happy to know that I have tested conclusively negative according to the oraquick label and I just wanted another opinion so thanks for your help and your knowledgeable comments.
HIV is incredibly difficult to transmit. The highest risk exposure is receptive anal sex with ejaculation....and that is estimated at 1 in 100 exposures. That doesn't mean it cannot happen in one single exposure...but it would be rare.
The mechanisms of transmission are known. The testing has evolved in leaps and bounds. If infected the oral mucosal cells would be rich in antibodies and would activate the T line . There is no logical explanation why you would get a false result on your oral swab test if done per instructions at or after 12 weeks.
The mechanisms of transmission are known. The testing has evolved in leaps and bounds. If infected the oral mucosal cells would be rich in antibodies and would activate the T line . There is no logical explanation why you would get a false result on your oral swab test if done per instructions at or after 12 weeks.
Thanks again for a great reply and I do understand that the doctors have the experience that none of us have with these tests and so they are very knowledgeable about the effectiveness of these test and I get your point about you abiding by the FDA guidelines. I believe this is a great forum but it is a little confusing sometimes how the doctors opinions such as oral sex are followed here and their opinion about test are not but I understand your perspective as we'll. So my 12 weeks oraquick is officially conclusive and definite and that is great news!!!
Thank you for your we'll explained and great response. I recieved a negative oral fluid test ( home access) at 12 weeks and was wondering if this test is reliable at this time. Also it is a bit confusing how the doctors state that 4 week duo is conclusive and here it's not considered conclusive and that seems contradictory. Would you say that the doctors advice is not correct about these duo test at 4 weeks?
Blood tests and oral swab tesst are equally reliable if taken at the appropriate time. A negative test with either test at 12 weeks or later is conclusive if negative.
The DUO test is not better per se, it is a great test for early detection. But do not confuse early detection for conclusively negative. Two entirely different things!
The only way one can consider him/her self conclusively negative is with a garden variety antibody test at 12 weeks!
The reason for it is that an antibody test is looking for your body's response to an invading virus. Some folks take longer then others.
The gold standard in knowing your negative status is the plain and simple antibody test, oral or blood based doesn't not matter. if you test negative on either at or after 12 weeks, you are conclusively negative and do not have HIV
The DUO test is not better per se, it is a great test for early detection. But do not confuse early detection for conclusively negative. Two entirely different things!
The only way one can consider him/her self conclusively negative is with a garden variety antibody test at 12 weeks!
The reason for it is that an antibody test is looking for your body's response to an invading virus. Some folks take longer then others.
The gold standard in knowing your negative status is the plain and simple antibody test, oral or blood based doesn't not matter. if you test negative on either at or after 12 weeks, you are conclusively negative and do not have HIV
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.
Having said that....I am not a doctor and so, I have to and will stick to the FDA's official guidelines...they have not changed as far as I know and will not for the foreseeable future.
An antibody test will nail the vast majority of infections by about a month. It will nail 90 % by six weeks...it will nail nearly 100% by 8 weeks , the 12 weeks is a safety buffer. Nobody with HIV will test negative after that time. (Barring chemo or pep or heavy intravenous drug users)
Blood or oral swab. Actually, they made the oral swab test so sensitive that it has a higher chance of giving you a false positive! And that is one reason there is some controversy about the home oral swab test. A false positive could drive someone over the edge and do something stupid. A negative at 12 weeks is conclusive...a positive must be confirmed!