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Occupational Exposure (Nobody is more annoyed that I am back on this site than I am)
Hello again. Since our last conversation, I have had the unfortunate experience of coming across an article about occupational exposures. It stated that there is evidence that if HIV is transmitted through a non-sexual route, the window period could be years. Testing will not show the antibodies. I of course had to google this new information and sure enough there were cases. I am not sure how long ago these cases are. This got me worried again because I did test negative at the public health clinic and had a negative IFA but my exposure would be considered occupational since I was administering first aide. I had an NAT, IFA and two antibody tests at 7months. The NAT was through the RedCross, (after the false positive that added to this fear), and I believe though it should have detected the virus itself, is only 98% accurate which means it is wrong 2 out of 100 times. Here are my questions:
1. Have you heard of a case of the window period being longer than 6 months because of occupational exposure since the new testing methods (IFA) came out?
2. Is it possible it will take years before the antibodies show up?
3. How effective would the RedCross NAT be at picking up the actual virus?
I wish I could stop worrying about this. I really do. It seems like there is constant information in the news about this which only adds to my confusion.
1. Have you heard of a case of the window period being longer than 6 months because of occupational exposure since the new testing methods (IFA) came out?
2. Is it possible it will take years before the antibodies show up?
3. How effective would the RedCross NAT be at picking up the actual virus?
I wish I could stop worrying about this. I really do. It seems like there is constant information in the news about this which only adds to my confusion.
It was a call center employee. I spoke with the director today who affirmed that person misspoke. Thank you for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I question that the American Red Cross says or believes that. If they do, it's probably two factors: leftover beliefs from the early days of HIV testing (20+ years ago); and/or a legal department policy that advises an extremely conservative approach by an institution whose main interest is blood banking and in providing totally safe blood. This approach allows them to pretend there is a scientific reason to tell someone at risk for HIV (e.g. a gay man or injection drug user) they they are not welcome as donors even 10 years after their last risky exposure.
The science is clear, and the ARC knows it. In fact, ARC has done much of the research on the testing that never misses an HIV infection. Probably thousands of people each year donate blood despite being officially excluded as donors because of current or past high risk lifestyles. And yet there hasn't been a single case of transfusion related HIV in the US for 10-15 years. That's how good the tests are.
I urge you -- STRONGLY -- to completely stop any online research about any of this business. It is only stoking your anxieties and obviously doing nothing to calm them.
And that's my last comment. This discussion must come to an end, and so should your worries. If they do not, refer back to my advice above about professional counseling. But an online forum isn't s substitute for that, so that's all for this thread. Best wishes and good luck.
The science is clear, and the ARC knows it. In fact, ARC has done much of the research on the testing that never misses an HIV infection. Probably thousands of people each year donate blood despite being officially excluded as donors because of current or past high risk lifestyles. And yet there hasn't been a single case of transfusion related HIV in the US for 10-15 years. That's how good the tests are.
I urge you -- STRONGLY -- to completely stop any online research about any of this business. It is only stoking your anxieties and obviously doing nothing to calm them.
And that's my last comment. This discussion must come to an end, and so should your worries. If they do not, refer back to my advice above about professional counseling. But an online forum isn't s substitute for that, so that's all for this thread. Best wishes and good luck.
Can you just please tell me, why the Red Cross is insisting that it will take years to test positive?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum. However, I'm sorry your fears are persisting despite the scientific evidence and reasoned reassurance you received last month from Dr. Hook.
You don't say the source of the "evidence that if HIV is transmitted through a non-sexual route, the window period could be years." That is simply untrue. You found an unscientific site or a very old article. The notion of long-delayed test results, or failure to develop positive tests, is an urban myth. With the modern HIV tests currently in use, there simply are never any HIV infections that escape detection once a few weeks have gone by. notion of long-delayed test results, or failure to develop positive tests, is an urban myth.
To your specific questions:
1,2) No, there are no such cases.
3) The HIV NAATs detect 90-100% of HIV infections any time more than about 2-3 weeks after catching the virus. The combination of NAAT plus antibody definitely picks up all infections.
It is clear that you are having difficulty accepting or understanding the scientific evidence on this. If your fears continue, I would urge counseling; it simply is not normal to remain so fearful. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism. In the meantime, the worst thing you can do is keep searching on line; like many anxious people, it seems you are being drawn to information that inflames your fears and missing the reassuring parts.
Please note that MedHelp permits no more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). This will have to be your last one on this forum until next October.
But really, mellow out. You had a zero risk exposure, and despite the unfortunate bad luck to have had an initially false positive blood test, it is absolutely clear that you did not catch HIV. Do your best to move on without worry about it. Good luck.
HHH, MD
You don't say the source of the "evidence that if HIV is transmitted through a non-sexual route, the window period could be years." That is simply untrue. You found an unscientific site or a very old article. The notion of long-delayed test results, or failure to develop positive tests, is an urban myth. With the modern HIV tests currently in use, there simply are never any HIV infections that escape detection once a few weeks have gone by. notion of long-delayed test results, or failure to develop positive tests, is an urban myth.
To your specific questions:
1,2) No, there are no such cases.
3) The HIV NAATs detect 90-100% of HIV infections any time more than about 2-3 weeks after catching the virus. The combination of NAAT plus antibody definitely picks up all infections.
It is clear that you are having difficulty accepting or understanding the scientific evidence on this. If your fears continue, I would urge counseling; it simply is not normal to remain so fearful. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism. In the meantime, the worst thing you can do is keep searching on line; like many anxious people, it seems you are being drawn to information that inflames your fears and missing the reassuring parts.
Please note that MedHelp permits no more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). This will have to be your last one on this forum until next October.
But really, mellow out. You had a zero risk exposure, and despite the unfortunate bad luck to have had an initially false positive blood test, it is absolutely clear that you did not catch HIV. Do your best to move on without worry about it. Good luck.
HHH, MD
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