Viral PCR RNA test/early treatment or wait until 3 months?

[Sailor100670]

Hi further to my last post
Can anyone tell me how reliable PCR test will be at 25 days....
If positive for any test, does medical intervention sooner than later help life span....etc
Otherwise I prefer to wait for results until  3 month mark so I can continue working on cruiseship....
Any advice?
Thanks

[alok12345]

pcr test is not recommended  for hiv diagnosis...wait until 4 or if passed you can surely go with 4th generation hiv antigen/antibody test....this is approved test...pcr accounted 3-10% falls positive result...and everyone should when you provided seriological ie antibody or combination test plus western blot or other confirmatory you can not start medication on your own...so please wait upto 30 day and take 4th generation combo test it is more that 99 % correct at this time frame...and surely it would be negative and then you need additional followup upto 8 weeks or 3 months for only surety ...your result very mostly would be same that what you received at 30 day...
please stay calm....gud luck

[Teak]

When you become a doctor and do the approvals let us know.

[relieved_happy]

Teak, you are stressing the three month conclusive window period too much. There are many people suffering overwhelming anxiety from their risky behavior/following symptoms who need to know their status immediately. This helps alleviate their anxiety as well as further controls the spread of HIV. I quote this from the CDC:

"Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days)"

"Another type of test is an RNA test, which detects the HIV virus directly. The time between HIV infection and RNA detection is 9–11 days"

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/index.htm

You are very active in these forums. Many people need some assurance before the 3 month conclusive test. Today's technology permits that luxury. Please don't deprive readers of it with your skepticism.

However, I should note that I completely agree with you regarding the conclusiveness of a 3 month AB test. Regardless of your day 25 AB test and RNA PCR results, you should ALWAYS follow up with the 3 month test. You are almost certain to be negative. The three month test is just the golden standard for liability purposes. Please trust these test though stay away from further risky behaviors.

[Sailor100670]

Hello
Yes OK I agree and and have been given corect info, BUT
Purely in Statistical terms (if its possible to put a conservative odds on it), What is the reliability of a Negative pcr rna Nat test after 25 days?
I was told my negative 25 day post exposure PCR result is 95% probably closer to -98% accurate. Obviously theres still about 3 % chance of false Negative
Does anyone agree with thes odds?
Obviously for piece of mind I will test ELIZA in about 1 week (almost 6 weeks)and again after 3 month mark. Thanks for an invaluable forum

Another question, I still have a persistant raspy throat now for 3.5 weeks (onset 1 week after risky exposure).
IF,  this were to be a symptom of HIV, would the pcr  and Antibody tests I had at 25 days,  have MOST LIKELY shown up positive?
IE; the fact Ive had this symptom for more than 3 weeks, would that mean Seroconversion...or can it be mutually exclusive...IE having symptom doesnt necessarily mean the virus is detectable (untill after window period 3 months)

[Teak]

You were given the correct testing time and information in an above reply. If you want to spend the money go ahead but a conclusive test result is 3 months post exposure. It's not going to change and there is no reason to try to rush it.

[Sailor100670]

Hi teak
Can you help me with my questions above....
Will get result for PCR on Wednesday...thinking to go in tomorrow (day 31) for another Eliza Antibody what do you think? Cant bear to wait till Wednesday.
Please tell me more about rash. Now have a light brown Mark appearing on my mid back to the side....Im very worried
Thank you ...

[Teak]

Stay out of this forum and go back to your depression forum. You've been reported to MedHelp.

[notable_resident]

a HIV PCR RNA test is reliable 11 days after a possible exposure.  the test is very sensitive.  it takes up two weeks to process the test.

the antibody test is reliable after 22 days of a possible exposure.

if i were you, i would go ahead with the PCR test.

[Sailor100670]

Thanks

Thanks Teak
Ship doctor told me that if I was diagnosed I would go home - weather theyd let me return is another thing I guess...
Guess Id say nothing until I see my doctor at home in August...
These mouth ulcers, raspy throat are really stressing me...It hurts my jaw and one is high at the back near my gum, left lymph up...slightly
(Ive not had any other major symptoms other than the funny spots and diareah at the start you said were not symptoms still have some red pimple ish spots)
Realising the only sure way is testing and your not a doctor, how common are my ulcer raspy throat symptoms in this seroconversion  phase (week 4) - statistically. Ive never had anything like it...
Statistically, how reliable will my PCR result be, if negative (just as reliable as the Eliza? ie unreliable?)
Im supposed to get result I did in Bankok (tested on day 25) in next 2 days...maybe via email....!

Thanks again

[Teak]

When they are talking about being diagnosed and need to start meds now, they are talking about people with low CD4s. People with a recent infection do not have low CD4s and they may never get low enough for years before medication is needed. I didn't need to start meds for 21 years but I was a Long Term Non-Progressor. The normal CD4s range from 500-1500 so until your CD4's drop to around 350 your ID doctor would not advise you to take meds. As for your job there is no worry. I know people that are working cruise ships and the airlines that have HIV and haven't lost their jobs.

[Sailor100670]

Thanks Teak
As a result of my nervousness, and I understand from you, that the PCR may give false negative, would you recommend I just stop worrying and continue living and working for next 2 months.
If pcr was positive would that then mean Im likely to be HIV + in near future?
Some people said the sooner Im diagnosed the better I can get treatments? Guess thats not the case ...and I may as well earn some money the next 3 months on this cruiseship incase I am positive after that>...
Do you confirm agree?

[Teak]

Only a 3 month test will give you a conclusive negative test result. Yes you unstood me correctly. It may be several years if you tested positive for the need to take medications.

[Sailor100670]

Thanks Teak
I got a PCR done when I had my Eliza at day 25. The results should come thru this week. Eliza was negative but only day 25. How reliable will the result for PCR be and what does this mean? I read it means if positive I have the RNA of HIV and thus likely in due course Antibodies....Please clarify
Do I understand from your reply that anyone testing positive would not be taking any medication? Maybe I misunderstood I thought there were medicines that could increase the lifespan...please also clarify.
Also can you tell me if my iritating raspy throat could be a symptom
Its a annoying dry arghumm for 2 weeks now.
I had ulcers and slight sore throat in week 3.
I am still very worried. I now take antibiotics, and my external throat area is tender. and lymph in that area is up.   Its nothing like I have ever had for sure.....
How else can I prepare for the worst
Appreciate ya advice

[Teak]

PCR test's are not diagnostic tests. PCR-RNA test is a supplemental test that can be done in conjunction with an antibody test. You are not going to be starting meds even if you test positive for a recent infection.