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Window Period, for Worried Wells

Just want to summarize the window period stuff, which is of the most concern of the worried wells.  There are different versions beginning from the most conservative (and probably outdated) 6-month thing, to the most aggressive 6 week (e.g. MA). (Confusing!) The window periods are different for various reasons, one being that the testing methods used by different clinics are different.  For this post, I am discussing up-to-date 3rd or 4th generation enzyme-link method tests that use your blood drawn from vein (I believe ELISA should be one). Quick test methods that can show results in 20 minutes are excluded.

Here is the schedule:
22.6% - 1week
53.775% - 2week
84.1% - 3week
98.4% - 4week
99.45% - 5week
99.994% - 6 week
99.99986% - 7week
99.99999*% - 8week

[TO BE CONTINUED]
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150689 tn?1333990045
This thread is over 18 months old. By all means reference this thread when you post, but please don't to bring back to life an old thread as it just sonfuses things.
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Thanks. I guess reading the information from internet can be quite scary. Thanks again!
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Move on. HIV is not transmitted in that manner.
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Hi someone put the semen on my back and there are some scratches (did not know if scratches are new or old). I got super nervous. what is my risk of getting HIV infections? Thanks. Assuming that he is HIV+ and he scratched my back before he put his semen on them.
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You didn't have a risk and didn't need to test. Move on.
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After an exposure with a sex worker which was a medium risk exposure as far as i am considered. I was using condom, but i touched the condom 3-4 times during insertion and hen didn't washed my hands and smoked. Also I touched her vagina with my finger accidentally during little foreplay. I had some symptoms on the 3rd day like rashes, cold and slight temperature, burning in thighs...rashes and burning in thighs are still present after 10 weeks of my exposure. I tested 3 times (ELISA for HIV1/2) first after 3 weeks, 2nd after 4 weeks and the third after 10 weeks. All negative. Shall i go for further testing. Please do advise
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you are incorrect when you say the state of Mass does not consider 6 weeks concusive.  I have spoken with many heath care providers and they all have sated that Mass considers six weeks to be conclusive.  Call any heath care provider you want to in Mass and find yourself.  

that being said i just had a 1 year test because i wanted to beleive my 8 week negative was good.  but the doubt and worry was to great.  If you are doubting your result it won't stop by reading the web and trying to find the silver bullet.  You will only get rid of the doubt by testing outside the window period.  I was on the internet every day for at least 2 hours trying to find some way to make my 8 week test conclusive.   Teak is right you won't find anyone you must test outside the window and when you do it all comes to an end.  You will feel liberated and free from the doubt.

Rob
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Avatar universal
Yes, and there is no true E.
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Is 3 months the window period for every subtype?
I was reading that subtype E is not easy to detect and have a longer window period.

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In Brazil, it's 8 weeks conclusive. But many experts say a negative test proves absence of infection during the last 6 weeks.
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I don't suggest it, the manufactures of the tests suggest it. I have nothing to do with it.
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yes...BUT am talking about new ppl who feel they r infected!

they come here and find this info which make them scared!!

So u suggest 3 months are the best?
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You didn't have a risk to begin with, so if you are afraid and scared you do it to yourself.
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u made us get more scared!
i really hate ppl who write non scintfical things!

sometimes i hear window period can b up to 6 months!others say 1 yr!

am reall sooo afraid and scared!
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Avatar universal
Nothing in science is 100%.
Testing at BEST would be 99.8-9% at 3 months ....let'sleave it at that. I HIGHLY doubt anyone on this forum is that .01%
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i remember i read dr HHH once said to a guy...'like what they say in the sports field...110%..." to a 10 weeks test...
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I have to agree with Teak on this matter. 3 months is conclusive. When I went for testing at the General hospital Doctor informed me that I have to pass 12 weeks for conclusive results. 6-8 weeks results are highly reliable and helps to calm down but does not gurantee.
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with all ur experience along with the docH's would u say its 100% at 3mths barring u arent previously deathly ill from something else prior(cancer,hep C)?????
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What would you say the percentages are at 3 months (best answer)
A) 99 %
B) 99.5%
C) 99.9%
D) 99.999%
E) 100%
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Avatar universal
For starters, all HIV tests are the same at 6 weeks, no matter what testing for antibody testing you are taking. SO long as the test is FDA approved.
The original poster of this thread was attempting to create the ideal %'s given by the medical professionals that run the HIV Prevention Forum. As encouraging as those numbers are, one should STILL test at three months for a final result.
After all, who really wants to question the result at 6, 8 or 11.5 weeks...right?
I, personally would encourage earlier testing and a final 12 week test for persons who continue to be sexually active and are not likely to engage in protected anal/vaginal sex. But the verdict still indicates that 12 week testing is the conclusive, ending, final, terminating, end result, so long as the person did not have other potential risks within the window period.
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Avatar universal
From Dr Edward Hook:

Regarding development of antibodies.  Most of the currently available antibody tests (including the Orasure test) perform similarly, detecting 85-90% of infections at 4 weeks, 95% at 6 weeks, 98-99% at 8 weeks and >99% at 12 weeks.  For most
persons, the results of a single test at 6 weeks is more than sufficient.

look at the figures..i think its quite close to ainxtein's figure...
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Avatar universal

Hi,
      I have a question that 3 cases of coinfection(HIV/Hep C) took almost 12 months to seroconvert. It says that coinfection can delay seroconversion by 12 months. But how a person will know that unknowingly coinfected and needs 12 months follow up.

One thing more, in the mean time, those HCWs were positive for Hep. C or seroconverted for both at the same time means a person who became Hep. C by may be 6 months needs follow up till 12 months??? OR if a person didn't get Hep C by 6 months and HIV too doesn't need 12 months follow up.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
that's y i said, its ok to stick to CDC/FDA advice of 3 months...seriously...u could jz doubt anybody...
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Avatar universal
does anyone know if Vermont considers the 6 week test conclusive?
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