Window Period, for Worried Wells

[ainxtein]

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  There are different versions beginning from the most conservative (and probably outdated) 6-month thing, to the most aggressive 6 week (e.g. MA).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]

[ImStupid]

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%

[Brian123]

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.

[lantongblack]

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...

[karap]

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

[lantongblack]

that's y i said, its ok to stick to CDC/FDA advice of 3 months...seriously...u could jz doubt anybody...

[stupididiot]

does anyone know if Vermont considers the 6 week test conclusive?