I had an Oraquick Advance Oral HIV test at Whitman Walker Clinic in DC last spring (2006). I have since heard that the DC clinic has stopped using the oral test and now only uses blood (as of 1/1/07, I think). Does anyone know the reason for this? My oral test was 4.5 months after a potential exposure in a high risk situation, and it was negative. I don't have any health problems at all so no reason why my window period should exceed the 3 month standard.
Now that I am worrying about this all over again, I looked up info on the test and read that the tester is supposed to swab all the way around the gums to collect the oral fluid... I don't remember doing that. I was really stressed so I might just not recall. So now I'm worried maybe my test was done incorrectly and results aren't valid.
Questions are these
Does anyone know the reason behind the DC Whitman Walker Clinic discontinuing oral hiv testing? Could this mean my negative test was inaccurate?
Do you think there's any real possibility a test administrator at such a prestigious place would NOT make sure the tester followed procedure?
Thanks for any insight.