HIV dna by pcr test accurate

[Graygirl555]

My question has two parts:

1 can anyone tell me how accurate a HIV dna test by pcr test is.I had one as a precaution,ordered it online from get std tested.com.It came back negetive or not detected.Can I trust that result .Are these tests accurate?They are so expensive.Still worried.

2 Can anyone give me some advice about having a strep b infection.I went to gyno for bladder problems and culture came back positive for strep b in urine.Did some cheecking and some websites say compromised immune system can cause strep b infection.Advice please.Thanx

[RainLover71]

You took the wrong PCR test.Had you taken the HIV RNA by PCR you would have had a better indication of your status and the test would have been alot more reliable.Who ever advised you to take the DNA by PCR is a goose.

[Graygirl555]

unprotected sex with a man I know very well who tested neg last january,but I'm not with him every night.I don't think he cheats but  I have trust issues.I know how pathetic this sounds

[Teak]

What was your exposure, you keep saying low?

[Graygirl555]

Wow your fast with the reply.Thats great but now I'm having an anxiety attack,even though i think my risk was low.I feel i need to test again at 3 months out which will be next week.I thought  i could rest easy but it's back to sleepless nights again.Thank you for your fast response.

[Teak]

PCR-DNA Tests
Neither the Abbott RealTime nor the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 assay is intended to be used as a donor screening test for HIV-1 or as a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of HIV-1 infection.
Richard Klein
HIV/AIDS Program Director
Office of Special Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration

[Graygirl555]

Thanx for your honesty,I feel really stupid but I've read that before the body starts producing antibodys the pcr dna test can detect small amounts of the virus.Is this totally untrue.The lab was Quest diagnostics.Are they not a reputable lab and do you think I should get a antibody test a 3 months out.Thanx

[Teak]

I'm sorry but you did pay alot of money for nothing.

[Graygirl555]

Hi Thanx for your reply.My exposure was low risk with someone I know and tested neg a few months ago.we had unprotected sex 3rd week of sept.I started to panic and decided to have what the website called an "early detection" test.I tested within the 1st 3 wks.I've read that these tests can detect the virus before seroconversion.I'm getting a sick feeling I paid alot of money for nothing.Do you thin this way also?Thanx

[Teak]

Reread the OP thread.

[Niceguy82]

Besides me referring to the wrong (but very similiar) test what else was incorrect about my post? I clearly said that it should NOT be used to diagnose HIV, but supplement an ELISA test. PCR RNA/DNA is a more modern test and many 'traditional' people don't understand how useful it is, especially, like I mentioined above, its role in late seroconverters.

[Teak]

Your post was totally incorrect.
1.. His question was PCR-DNA
2. PCR-RNA tests cannot make a conclusive result.

[Niceguy82]

The PCR RNA test is used has a supplementary diagnostic tool. It should not be used to diagnose HIV, but to support the results of the ELISA test. The PCR RNA, however, has played a bigger role when the immune system fails to produce antibodies which would render the ELISA test useless. The PCR RNA test would confirm infection by looking for the Virus itself and not the byproduct of the infection, i.e. antibodies.  In Delayed/Late Seroconversion cases, the PCR RNA and similar tests have made a BIG difference.

[Teak]

PCR-DNA tests are not approved for diagnosing HIV. What was your exposure?