Which is it?

[Ghostr1der]

I'm seeing alot of advice here given out that 5 or even 6 weeks is conclusive. This is very confusing because some of the people are not even stating the generation of test they have taken.

The 3/4 generation tests are the ones for the 6 week area, if someone had a 1/2 generation or we don't know which they had why are they still being told they are good to go?

I don't know the difference in all the tests but if someone could explain that, that would be great.

I understand the 4th gen. is good for early detection due to the P24, however, the others don't use that.

[Ghostr1der]

Thanks alot for your help, I appreciate it very much.

[mike_no]

1. Yes, I do advise a 6 week test, you're correct even I tested at the 6th week and consider it to be conclusive, my problem here's with the test 'HIV 2' though it's not found abundantly, the place where I live has a few recorded cases of HIV 2, my tests were all for HIV 1 and that's the only reason I wanted to have a second opinion


2. For dobber advising one to test out till 12 weeks is completly according to the guidelines and he rightly does it HOWEVER latest researchs also suggests a 6 week result's conclusive, so that is what told to you

3. I completely understand your problem, it's getting confusing for you because you are not simply listening, instead you're trying to find out the derivative of the suggestion given to you, which can really make things confusing and complicated

4.  I'll tell you what, if you ask ME, I go with 6 week result to be conclusive (according to Dr. H, MASS guidelines, Australian guideline), any test irrespective of the generation is conclusive at the 6th week.

5. Now coming to your initial question one more time, P24 antigen is a protein which is found in one's body (assuming the person's HIV infected) at about 14 to 32 days after the infection, after the above mentioned time period detectable amount of antibodies would aways be present in one's body and the P24 Ag would not show up any more hence a P24 Ag and Ab 1& 2 test is advised at the 28th day for early detection only, at the 6th week any generation test can give a reliable result

6. And above all we were dealing with real risks unlike your's which didn't even warrant testing

[Ghostr1der]

Also I see you are still unsure about a 7 MONTH result. And you are telling people they are good to go between 6 and 12 weeks. What sense does that make. If any please let me know.

[Ghostr1der]

You guys are really starting to make no sense here.
For one, Mike, you are giving out advice 6 weeks is fine but on the other hand you are doubting your own 6 week result. What is that?

Second, Dobber, I told you guys that I didnt know which test I had and it most likely wasnt PCR or whatever, and I've been told my test was fine, however I see you say that you recommend 12 week testing if PCR wasnt involved.

The answers should really be straightened out here, you guys both told me I'm but then give opposite answers in a later post to someone else.

PLEASE CLARIFY!!

[RULER]

a year ago i went to get tested and ask what generation it was and the counselor did not know. if i want a ab/p24 what do i ask for, who makes it (company name) . how do u know what test they are given u. i am in jersey and tests r done in a hospital for free. i hope they r using the latest. 4th gen.  

[mike_no]

NO, your test did not have any thing to do with longer window period. A standard EIA/ELISA would be always reliable at the sixth week and you're reading too much, all you need to know is your test was absolutely perfect and was at the right time, you are confusing yourself about the entire thing as you don't have the complete knowledge about it  

[mike_no]

like myself and peekawho told you at the begining at the sixth week any test would be reliable, your EIA test would have certainly been a third generation test and to answer your query about the generation of tests, I and II  generation tests are primitive form of the tests whereas the third and the fourth generation tests are modern tests with better sensitivity (THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GEN TESTS ARE USED BY DEFAULT IN MOST OF THE DEVELOPED AND UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES)

[Ghostr1der]

My last post was addressed to peekawho but if anyone know s the difference in the tests that would be great.

Does anyone here think my result will change? Even taking in mind symptoms which still linger.

[Ghostr1der]

I am just worried my test will change between week 8 1/2 and now.

About the generations: I was just looking for info on what the differences are between each, are they different tests or is it just the age of them?

And by the way I'm geting tested tomorrow so hopefully it turns out ok.

I'll report the results.

SO FAR:
unprotected bj by sex worker

day 10- neg EIA
day 59- neg EIA

[peekawho]

How many times does someone have to say that it doesn't matter what generation the test was?  By 8.5 weeks, it's accurate regardless of the generation.  If you don't believe it, have another at 3 months.  It too, will be accurate.  You are abnormally hung up on the "generation" issue for some odd reason.  

Don't make me pull that quote again.  The older, 1st or 2nd generation tests might take 6-7 weeks to be positive, but the newer tests, the later generation tests that are overwhelmingly in use today, can be positive within a month.  No, I don't know how the tests work.  I know what I read from Dr. HHH, who is world leader in the field.  His words, I trust.  

Regardless of that, you had a negative test at 8.5 weeks, so even if you were testing with a very uncommon older generation test, it would have been positive.  If you go around freaking out every time you have sexual contact, you will spend your life in the lab getting blood drawn.  

Relax.  If you are a sexually active person, you need an HIV test once a year or so.  NOT after any event that anxiety has built up about.   Once a year or two is sufficient.  

I don't think ANYONE will be able to satisfy you on this issue.  No one will have a satisfactory explaination.  So for Gods sake, just test again in a few weeks. Will that be enough, or will you turn into Freddy9999 who has tested like 29 times in less than a year?   He STILL has difficulty believing his results.  Anxiety does strange things to people, and makes them get hung up over the oddest things.  

[Ghostr1der]

I'm still trying to find out what 1st and 2nd gen tests are and when and where they are used.

And in reference to my test, it was an EIA whatever that means, so if it wasn't a duo test then it doesn't fall into the six weeks correct?

Mike, I think what you are saying is you had the duo which is more than a standard Elisa and in that case 6 weeks is fine, but wouldn't be fine for a standard test.

This could all be cleared up if I knew what test I had.

Reminder: EIA negative at 59 days. (8 1/2 weeks)

[mike_no]

The first part is as per Dr here in the forum, try searching for the same in his previous posts, use the search engine for the same(any test at 6 week )

2. Seroconversion info is all over the internet and Dr H's comment's too

3.Duo test info is logic,if you understand how the entire thing works you'd do what's told, I did the same, tested with duo at week:6 and moved on  

[Ghostr1der]

Thanks for the info.

What exactly are 1st and 2nd gen tests? Are they the basic tests used for regular screening?

I would think the duo and P24 would have to be requested, and they wouldn't be the standard right?

And the consensus here is that ANY generation test is good at 6 weeks, however what if someone converts at say week 5 or 6 then it wouldn't be?

I also had the understanding that the 3rd and 4th gen tests reduced the window to 6 weeks, and the window period reduction had nothing to do with the standard older tests.

Any comments would be appreciated.

P.S. Are all of your testing time answers based on YOUR risk assesment or is this something that could actually be read somewhere.

If it is written somewhere I would really appreciate a link.

Thanks again.

[mike_no]

Hi guys,

At week:6, test with any generation would give a reliable result

How: Average time for seroconversion is 22 days,an anti body test would always yeild a positive result in two weeks preceding the seroconversion phase

Possibility: however, though rare but there are individuals who would seroconversion on the 4 to 6 week.

Smart approach: Test with a P24 Ag and HIV 1 & 2 (duo test) at the 6th week to eliminate 'possibility'

a. If one has already seroconverted the 'Ab detection' of the test is active and still a  reliable result could be obtained

b. If the individual is seroconverting (as discussed earlier, it's rare at the 4th to the 6th week) the 'Ag detection' of the test would be active and a reliable result could be still obtained

*  A duo test is meant for early detection of HIV, it's minimised the window prieod to 14 to 28 days after exposure

* Duo test = III gen test + P24 Ag detection

* A duo test is done by drawing blood

Regards
Mike

[RULER]

i also will like to know how is the 4th gen. test done. is it in the oral swap or the blood stick.

thanks