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Dr. HHH and his recent post:forget the 6-8 weeks, he still says 3 months
It's funny how everyone thinks Dr. HHH finds 6-8 weeks as conclusive. Well, you are in for a surprise. In his recent post...this is what he had to say:
"So I suppose I might have a tendency to use shorter intervals (e.g., 4-6 weeks) when responding to obvously extremely low risk situations, and 6-8 weeks for higher risk ones. For the highest risk, I recommend a 3 month test".
As you can see, he still uses the 3 month for a conclusive result, and personally I feel that when dealing with something like HIV, there is no such things as low risk testing and high risk testing...simply put...if you put yourself at risk...you need to be tested at 3 months. This is simply because if you did in fact engage in a low risk act (oral sex), and you were infected, a test at 6 weeks might not necessarily show it. But a test a 3 months certainly would. Dr. HHH is wrong in saying 6-8 weeks is enough for a low risk situation, because in fact a low risk situation can still get you infected.
Furthermore, Lisa Capaldini, one of the most respected HIV authorities in the world, says that the 6 week window period is only good for 4th generation tests.
So please don't take everything the Doc says to heart, follow your gut instincts. After all, if you read the waiver, it says that any information he gives should not be used as a conclusive result, and that you should follow up with your own provider. He can say anything he wants on here and not have any responsibilities.
"So I suppose I might have a tendency to use shorter intervals (e.g., 4-6 weeks) when responding to obvously extremely low risk situations, and 6-8 weeks for higher risk ones. For the highest risk, I recommend a 3 month test".
As you can see, he still uses the 3 month for a conclusive result, and personally I feel that when dealing with something like HIV, there is no such things as low risk testing and high risk testing...simply put...if you put yourself at risk...you need to be tested at 3 months. This is simply because if you did in fact engage in a low risk act (oral sex), and you were infected, a test at 6 weeks might not necessarily show it. But a test a 3 months certainly would. Dr. HHH is wrong in saying 6-8 weeks is enough for a low risk situation, because in fact a low risk situation can still get you infected.
Furthermore, Lisa Capaldini, one of the most respected HIV authorities in the world, says that the 6 week window period is only good for 4th generation tests.
So please don't take everything the Doc says to heart, follow your gut instincts. After all, if you read the waiver, it says that any information he gives should not be used as a conclusive result, and that you should follow up with your own provider. He can say anything he wants on here and not have any responsibilities.
He talks from experience, studies, odds and science.
The conclusive result is 3 months, however the reasoning for the 6-8 weeks for lower risks is based on odds and the fact that the cast majority of people who are going to seroconvert will do so within 6 weeks.
Unless you have a severly damaged immune system, the 3 months is being very conservative. And if you need to know why, all I need to say is CDC.
Run and funded by th US Government, who think abstinence is the answer.
The conclusive result is 3 months, however the reasoning for the 6-8 weeks for lower risks is based on odds and the fact that the cast majority of people who are going to seroconvert will do so within 6 weeks.
Unless you have a severly damaged immune system, the 3 months is being very conservative. And if you need to know why, all I need to say is CDC.
Run and funded by th US Government, who think abstinence is the answer.
If you call the CDC, they still say 6 months conclusive...and at 3 months...its 97%. This is exactly what the lady told me. I think the CDC is still reluctant in saying 3 months as being conclusive.
The people you talk to when you call are operators reading from a manual. they have no training, and if you call nore than once you have a good chance of getting a different answer.
Regarding the 6 month test, the few perventage of people they are referring to are Chemo patient, IV drug users, etc. or any one with a severley depressed immune system. And if someone had one they would definately know it.
They should really be more clear of that.
Regarding the 6 month test, the few perventage of people they are referring to are Chemo patient, IV drug users, etc. or any one with a severley depressed immune system. And if someone had one they would definately know it.
They should really be more clear of that.
6-8 is 95% to 99% conclusive its pretty much unheard of for it to take 3 months with modern day testig.
This has been addressed innumerable times on his forum. Do your own searching there and you'll see exactly why he makes the distinction. And you'll read what he says about the CDC and their recommendations.
when he refers 6-8 low risk and suggest 3 mos testing for high risks.
1) hebases that on risk analyses
2) 3 mos is cdc recomendation for high risks conclusive results.
try not read between the lines, when the doctor gives advice to someone else.
6-8 weeks is when most people will show positive on hiv test, the 3 mos window is to catch the handful that seroconvert later, immuno compromised and chemo patients even may extend to 6 mos due to those causes.
thats why even many sites will say, 6 weeks negative test confirmed by a 12-13 wks test. i would like to add, even the 6 mos window is very outdated.
1) hebases that on risk analyses
2) 3 mos is cdc recomendation for high risks conclusive results.
try not read between the lines, when the doctor gives advice to someone else.
6-8 weeks is when most people will show positive on hiv test, the 3 mos window is to catch the handful that seroconvert later, immuno compromised and chemo patients even may extend to 6 mos due to those causes.
thats why even many sites will say, 6 weeks negative test confirmed by a 12-13 wks test. i would like to add, even the 6 mos window is very outdated.
The cdc in british columbia recently changed their window period to 3 months, and don't recommend a 6 month followup anymore. They told me that at 3 months the test is well over 99% accuracy.
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