Validity of RNA test - Girlfriend now has strange symptoms.

Hi all. Two months ago I had sex with a woman I met in a bar.  Removed comdom last five minutes. I became worried about HIV. 18 days later I had a PCR-RNA test and ELISA test. Both negative.  Negative for other STD's also.  My anxiety passed and I resumed having sex with my girlfriend. Now, over a month later my girlfriend is having unusual (for her) symptoms. Two weeks ago she had a vaginal yeast infection which cleared up with monostat. Now she as a stiff and painful neck. With the onset of her symptoms I began to question the results of the PCR-RNA test. I foolishly googled "HIV and stiff neck" and a million sites popped up. I'm getting sick of this.

The FDA which regulates blood donations says that the window period for PCR-RNA test is 12 days. But I can't find much info about PCR-RNA test for individual people. I am going to take an ELISA test tomorrow which is at 8.5 week mark. Now my anxiety has returned with full force.  If I infected by girlfriend, I don't know if I will be able to live with myself.

Has anyone found and good info about PCR tests?

[Worried 9999]

I'm not sure that Dr. HHH has said much about the accuracy of PCR tests.  He doesn't recommend them because they have a high rate of false positives.  Most of the labs that sell these tests claim that they are conclusive at 28 days.  However, the PCR is not deemed to be a stand alone test and should be backed up by an Antibody test.  However, from what I understand, an 18 day negative is encouraging.

Also, don't focus on symptoms.  I have tons of symptoms.  Everybody on this board has tons of symptoms.  Symptoms are meaningless.  Get your antibody test done.  It will probably be negative.

[Worried 9999]

In your previous post, you draw a distinction between exposure and infection.  What kind of a time period is there between the two?

[mike_no]

Shaken,
RNA PCR at the 18 th day is conclusive you just need to make sure you back it up with an antibody at 6 to 8 weeks

I'll paste the CDC link for the same in some time as I'm not on the computer but on the handheld

[Teak]

PCR is good for the detections of HIV, before seroconverting. Now if you have sex one day and the next you test. The likely hood that you will get an accurate test is nil. You need to give it some time after the possible exposure. The steps go as follows. Exposure, then infection and then seroconverting. A PCR test is capible of giving a correct result as early as the conversion process begins and seroconversion is usually 2-4 weeks after infection not exposure. Your PCR RNA and bDNA are not stand alone tests. They can give very accurate results but have to be backed with an ELISA or equivlent test.

[shaken_55]

Thanks mike. I'll check back later to see the CDC link.

[shaken_55]

I waited 18 days after possible exposure to take RNA test and Elias test. Both negative. I was feeling great until my girlfriend got a vaginal yeast infection and a stiff and painful neck. (both are uncommon for her).

Was does Dr. H or other experts say about PCR-RNA test after 18 days?

[mike_no]

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/be_tested.htm#wait

here's the link :)

[Timwong]

Does anyone know the difference between RNA test and ELisa test?

[Teak]

RNA tests for HIV and ELISA tests for HIV antibodies.