I think you are missing a point. HIV will not escape the immune response to produce antibody. If you had HIV, you will produce Antibody...PERIOD!!! There are many different strains of HIV, the test are manufactured to pick up "antibodies". It is a sensitive process. There are 2 types of antibodies we produce to HIV. Read about antibodies and how they work in our immune system, this may help, your body will not ignore the virus if it enters the body. The antibody cell is seperated when the WB confirms the HIV strain that the antibody is attached too.
Teak, would these tests pick up those N, P groups? Only because I had exposures in those areas. Dr. Hansfield says they may be hard to detect. Just wanted your thoughts. Thanks
...there is no chance that your body would not produce antibody to HIV reguardless of any subtype or rare group, the EIA/ELISA tests are required by the FDA to demonstrate accuracy in detecting HIV subtypes and groups. These tests are 99% reliable at 6 weeks and conclusive at 12 weeks post exposure.
Final comment Teak:
1) would ANY HIV regardless of group, strain, etc, be able to be detected by our standard antibody tests used here with LAbcorp and quest? Even given where my exposures were?
Thank you
What you are experiencing can be associated with your fear alone or another disease, but not HIV.
Teak, please comment on the possibility of a rare type of HIV. My infectious disease doctor thinks the tests would pick it up but there is the possibility that it could be missing it. He is going to talk to local health department and see. Could you give me your thoughts on this previous three questions. Everything I am experiencing cannot be pinned with a diagnosis. Please answer
I do not have an answer from any md. Will you please tell me your thoughts on those three previous questions?
1) Would these "regular" tests be able to detect these types of "rare" subtypes/strains/groups even those they are actually designed for?
2) Can it ever take this long to seroconvert?
3) How are these types of people found to be positive with the rare strains?
Thank you
You have a professional diagnosis. You're HIV negative.
Mr. Teak,
Could you please address those previous 3 questions? The symptoms I have without any professional diagnosis is very worrisome. Thank you
You don't have HIV and you've tested beyond the window period.
1) Would these "regular" tests be able to detect these types of "rare" subtypes/strains/groups even those they are actually designed for?
2) Can it ever take this long to seroconvert?
3) How are these types of people found to be positive with the rare strains?
Thank you
There are no strains that can't be detected.