Rapid hiv unigold test

[asdf646]

Can anyone explain to me this post
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Multiple-tests/show/1022873?personal_page_id=647984#post_4759188

I understand that PCR is not used to diagnose HIV, but he had both a reactive ELISA and a non reactive rapid unigold

How accurate are the rapid unigold tests? Could the rapid have been a false negative?

I had a rapid unigold done 6, 10, 12 months postexposure and all were negative. Am I in the clear?

[NickOne7]

No, a negative test at 3 months is conclusive and the testing method makes no difference. You have negative results, False positives would be your only worry with the rapid and you DID NOT have one of those. False negatives really only happen in the window period before the 3 month mark.

As I have said before you DO NOT have HIV

[asdf646]

I'm sorry I'm not trying to be a pain, but reading that post really got me worried.
This is my last question to you, I promise. Reading your profile, it says you been studying HIV for about 7 years. In those 7 years, have you heard of anyone testing negative with a rapid after 1 year postexposure, and then testing positive via another testing method? Can I be 100% certain?

thanks again for all your help.

[NickOne7]

Rapid tests have a higher false positive rate, But all tests have false positives from time to time. This is why a second test is done if a positive result is given (To rule out a false result) The rapid tests are as good as a lab based test for detecting HIV.

[asdf646]

Are the rapid tests less accurate than the normal blood tests?

In regards to the post, why would one be positive and one be negative if both are antibody tests? Could the the rapid not have been able to detect the antibodies?

[NickOne7]

I had a rapid unigold done 6, 10, 12 months post exposure and all were negative. Am I in the clear? YES, You DO NOT have HIV