Instant testing reliability

[Josh1968]

Doctor,

I am a UK hetro

[Need help UK]

I presume you went to samedaydoctor?

Anyway, if you're still anxious, then go to a GUM clinic - in most you can get seen just as quickly, you just need to know how! (Although I suppose you do have to wait longer for results, usually 1-2 weeks).

If you're in London, there are two excellent clinics: The Mortimer Market Centre, just off Tottenham Court Road. It is part of a HIV research centre, so everything is top notch (you have to wait a long time - 2 weeks - for an appointment, but you can see a nurse there and then, who will probably test you.)

Also, try the clinic at GSST Hospital at London Bridge. They have walk in clinics 3 days a week and are really efficient - excellent doctors.

There's probably no need to go, but if it helps, then why not?!

But then you could just pay 110 quid to go back to samedaydoctor.

Also see freedomhealth on wimpole street, and the regents park clinic.

[o_g]

I think my posting above had some lose ends and didn't convey the message which I have learned about the validity of the test. What I meant is that a DUO test at 4 weeks is highly reassuring (more than standard ELISA only at 4 weeks). It detects for antigen as well as antibody so in case a person is infected, the antigens should be readily found in first few weeks after infection. If they are not found then the antibodies would be detected. However, the antigen part is not particularly very sensitive.

[skerdstraght68]

why would using the duo lower anything.  Its the latest test made?  Common...

[o_g]

I assume DUO is a 4th generation test which inclued P24 antigen and 3rd gen HIV-1/2 antibody. P24 antigen test, however, it's a good test for early detaction say till 3 weeks, it is not a very sensitive test. The results are not conclusive. Its sensitivity is around 80% or maybe even lower. In addition everyone here must be knowing how much value to attach to a 4 week ELISA. It is encouraging but not conclusive.

DUO seems to be more efficient than 3rd generation ELISA to detect an infection 1-2[max] weeks earlier. But again, this is not a ful proof test. The gold standard remains ELISA.

[Josh1968]

Thanks for getting back so quickly Doctor.

If you get chance to answer this - just to clarify on point 2.) I haven't been re-tested at 6 weeks, I just had a duo test at 4 weeks which was negative.

Is your assessment the same that I don't need further testing and I can be 100% confident with the duo?

Many thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The 3 month standard is very conservative, and most experts (including me) agree that with current tests, 6-8 weeks is long enough for virtually 100% reliability.  Search this forum for "time to positive HIV test".

1. The rapid tests become positive just as fast as the laboratory-based antibody tests.

2.  With a negative test at 6 weeks, you have no chance of having acquired HIV during the exposure you describe.

3.  You do not need further testing.

4.  100%.

Good luck--  HHH, MD