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Test confusion
I realize that there is all kinds of window periods, but I have had a negative rapid test at two weeks and a negative RNA/ Antibody at 4 weeks (26 days exactly).
I have been told and read mixed things. I know the RNA alone is not enough, but since it was with the Antibody, should that be a test/ results that are good indicators? I read somewhere that at 28 days it is usually an indicator. I know the anitbodies take time which could be weeks, but if the RNA looks for the virus and can detect it within 2-3 weeks, at 4 weeks a negative should be a sign, along with the Antibody though...
If I were tested with an RNA, Ab/Ag at 5 or 6 weeks and it was negative, would that be a sign? I say both RNA and the others since it seems like RNA alone is not good or at least a lot of people say.
My thinking is that if it takes weeks for antibodies, the RNA would find it first and since it did not at 4 weeks which was outside of the RNA window combined with the negative Ab, I should be feeling better than I do, but I am just very worried and full of anxiety. I am planning on testing at 3 months for a definite answer, but I just want to know if these should be some kind of indicators as least....
I have been told and read mixed things. I know the RNA alone is not enough, but since it was with the Antibody, should that be a test/ results that are good indicators? I read somewhere that at 28 days it is usually an indicator. I know the anitbodies take time which could be weeks, but if the RNA looks for the virus and can detect it within 2-3 weeks, at 4 weeks a negative should be a sign, along with the Antibody though...
If I were tested with an RNA, Ab/Ag at 5 or 6 weeks and it was negative, would that be a sign? I say both RNA and the others since it seems like RNA alone is not good or at least a lot of people say.
My thinking is that if it takes weeks for antibodies, the RNA would find it first and since it did not at 4 weeks which was outside of the RNA window combined with the negative Ab, I should be feeling better than I do, but I am just very worried and full of anxiety. I am planning on testing at 3 months for a definite answer, but I just want to know if these should be some kind of indicators as least....
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Should-I-be-concerned-yet/show/2233225#post_10720779
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Thank you. I realize that there is the 3 month period even up to 4 months, but I do have some more testing questions. I have HSV2 so I do understand that the antibody tests may not be reliable at all since it takes time. I have read on average at 28 days most will have tested positive, I think 90 -95%. Is this true for HIV? I am planning on testing at 5-6 weeks since that seems to be another marker. At that point would the antibody/antigen test along with an RNA be a strong indicator (strong, not conclusive)?
As far as the RNA goes, if at 4 weeks there is no virus material detected, that should calm me down a good bit, right? I say a good bit because I know it has a lot of false positives, but a negative seems to be a more reliable, not yet 100% conclusive result. Does that make sense, am I thinking along the right lines with all this?
Like I said, I know and fully understand the 3 month testing is conclusive, but I would like to know more about these that I have and will take because the window periods for these are shorter and yes they are not as conclusive and reliable as a 3 month test, but they seem to have some kind of indication.
As far as the RNA goes, if at 4 weeks there is no virus material detected, that should calm me down a good bit, right? I say a good bit because I know it has a lot of false positives, but a negative seems to be a more reliable, not yet 100% conclusive result. Does that make sense, am I thinking along the right lines with all this?
Like I said, I know and fully understand the 3 month testing is conclusive, but I would like to know more about these that I have and will take because the window periods for these are shorter and yes they are not as conclusive and reliable as a 3 month test, but they seem to have some kind of indication.
I understand that at 3 months it is totally conclusive like I said. My question is, based on other tests done, are they reliable or any type of indicator at all? I have read that by day 28 90-95% would be positive for example. So with that said should I be feeling a little less worried than I do? The tests did not find the virus or antibodies.
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