PCR RNA 28 Days

TEAK, I searched and searched but could not find your most recent comment(I believe 6/8/2010) about RNA testing at 28 days.  I guess I was wondering, I know it has to be followed up by antibody test at 3 months, but what happens when the RNA and antibody contradict each other(viral load high and negative antibody).  Is there further testing that is done at that time and further investigated?  Also, can one have a RNA PCR done at 8 months?  If that viral load would be high and still negative antibody, what is then done?  Thanks

[mike_no]

There is a good possibility to have an undetected viral load yet positive antibody. However, the possibilty that you describe is very uncertain, you can't really have a negative antibody and dectable amount of viral load unless, you are in the full blown AIDS stage and that too happens for a very brief period.

Yes, once an individual is confirmed positive, he/she has to or prescribed to perform an RNA PCR periodically to monitor his / her viral load count (RNA PCR or Quantitative NAAT test)

However, I'm presuming that you had taken an RNA PCR at the 28th day post exposure and speculating HIV. Let me keep you informed that if you had a real risk and had an undetected RNA PCR at the 28th day, it's very unlikely that you contracted the virus at the first place.

Remember, the RT - RNA PCR that we are talking about here is very sensitive and efficient, it can pick up as low as 5 copies of infected RNA per ml of blood. Considering the fact that after HIV contraction the virus multiplies it self in thousands every day, 5 -10 copies of detection is very very likely if infected at the first place with this hypersensitive test.

All you need to do now is, cut the "What-if's" and just take a final AB test at the 12th week for confirmatory purpose. I can tell you, you should only expect a negative.

Good Luck.

[iscrewedupbig]

No, acutally I had a PCR DNA test done even though not diagnostic.  I don't know if it means a thing done at 2 and 6 months both negative. Also, had a 7 1/2 month antibody done which was negative.  My other question is, none of the testing has been done by my Dr's office, but an online service or two.  Is there any reason to doubt that they would not pass on the REAL results to me?

[Teak]

Get an antibody test and it will be conclusive.

[mike_no]

A DNA PCR at the 28th day is a great indication again. Yes, agreed it's not accredited to be diagonostic yet but understand the technicality of the test here - Infected DNA is a derivative of the RNA. By 28 days post exposure it's almost always the DNA is extracted out of the RNA and hence said to be optimum at the 28th day.

But, now that I have the clarity about your situation, the perspective of NAT test goes right out of the window. You have conclusively tested negative. In fact you have overtested. You have to accept your result and move on. I told you before about the instance that you can't test negative on an AB test and yet be HIV+. Yes, your tests were real and you must not be skeptical about any thing, they know their stuff.

Please consider the assistance that we have to offer and try and see a shrink for the compulsive disorder that you have developed over this whole ordeal.

[Teak]

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[Teak]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Can-I-let-go-despite-annoying-symptoms/show/1257200?personal_page_id=1422969#post_5759983