Chances of PCR RNA/DNA false positive result?

[Jamesbgck]

I had an HIV risk exposure one week ago.  I was the bareback insertive partner (the top) in anal sex with a guy at a bathhouse.  I'm really anxious about what I may have done.  I know that I need to wait 6 weeks for an antibody test, with the conclusive test coming at 3 months.  But in the meantime, I am thinking about getting the PCR RNA/DNA test.  But I am concerned about that test's reliability.  It's been one week since my encounter.  Will the PCR pick up the virus after that amount of time?  Are there chances of a false positive on that test?  Waiting for several weeks before I can get antibody tested would be excruciating.  But a test that isn't going to give me any comfort (or, worse, give me a false positive) might be worse.

Please give me any advice you can.  Thank you.

[tomMulligan]

Again, PCR RNA test is not FDA approved for diagnostic test. But, it can be very helpful in sorting out not clear or undefined HIV-antibody test results.   PCR test run the risk of false positives and are much more costly than diagnostic HIV-antibody tests.  Any HIV tests will only be accurate when you're tested at the appropriate time.

[Jamesbgck]

I understand the antibody test is the diagnostic test.  But I also understand that the PCR test can find evidence of HIV and can be used as an early (or earlier than the antibody test) way to determine if a person has HIV.  My question is how accurate is it at one week and are there false positives?

Again, any help is appreciated.

[tomMulligan]

PCR RNA/DNA is not FDA approved diagnostic test. It is used to monitor virus progression. If you had unprotected anal sex with him then you need to take the HIV-antibody tests

[keep_alive]

did you wear a condom?