Testing

All the folk out there,

I tested negative for HIV AB/AG and P24 combo  tests 6 weeks after potnetial exposure.

Is this a good eough indicator. My questions stems from my understanding that P24 is an early stage test wheras  the antibody test would capture anything post that.

Would appreciate all inputs from the amazing group on this site.
Thanks

[mike_no]

Yes, rock solid indicator.

In your case, the p24ag detection of the test might have been useless because if you were to be infected at the first place your body would have generated detectable amount of antibodies at the time frame you tested.

6 week negative anti-body test changing ahead is almost unheard, you need to back this up with one final test at 12 weeks, which should be negative for sure.

[veryveryscaredguy]

What Mike said!

[gm85]

may just be my paranoia now for putting up this question - but if there was something - It would have been captured by the p24 or the AB/AG test right.
It should be almost impossible that antigens or antibodies were not found and one still ends up positive in future?

I have seen very few posts on the forumthat have done the combo test for both of these. My doc said its probably more advanced and can shpw signs earlier. Is that true?

Sorry for the trouble guys..

[Frank303]

There is a period between Antigen detectability and Antibody detectability on the combined Ag/Ab tests. A window period within the window period if you like.

In someone who has recently been infected with HIV there is a peak at around 16 days of p24Ag due to high viral replication  then Ag levels reduce as Antibodies are produced, though there may not be sufficient antibodies at that stage to be detectable.

Take an Antibody test at 3 months.