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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
hive test reliability
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
hive test reliability
by nero451, Nov 10, 2008 07:45AM
I had a protected sex with a sex worker women ; unfortunately the condom was broken during vaginal intercourse and I fell into nightmares.
I had HIV 1 Proviral DNA test by PCR method at 11,5 days. It was negative. But my doc told me that it may not be reliable. Then I had Anti HIV 1-2 / p 24 antigent test at 42 days. It was negative. Then I took ELISA and Western Blot at 46 days; both were negative.
My doc told me that I am now negative no need for further testing. She said if western blot is negative at 6 weeks , it will be negative at 12 weeks too.
Now my question is: is it true that am I negative 100%? or what is the chance based on your best assumption?
Should I need to take enother ELISA at 12 weeks?
Thanks
I had HIV 1 Proviral DNA test by PCR method at 11,5 days. It was negative. But my doc told me that it may not be reliable. Then I had Anti HIV 1-2 / p 24 antigent test at 42 days. It was negative. Then I took ELISA and Western Blot at 46 days; both were negative.
My doc told me that I am now negative no need for further testing. She said if western blot is negative at 6 weeks , it will be negative at 12 weeks too.
Now my question is: is it true that am I negative 100%? or what is the chance based on your best assumption?
Should I need to take enother ELISA at 12 weeks?
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Nov 10, 2008 08:34AM
, Nov 10, 2008 08:34AM
I agree entirely with your doctor who sounds knowledgeable. Even as upsetting as your exposure was, if you look at it objectively, your risk is low. Here is why:
1. Most sex workers, while at higher risk, still don't have HIV.
2. Even if she was infected, your risk of getting HIV from an infected partner through vaginal sex, if she was infected (this is unlikely) is less than 1 in 1000 exposures.
3. Finally, and most importantly, your tests are negative. The tests that you have had clearly rule out HIV. You do not have HIV and do not need further testing. At six weeks the ELISA test would detect over 95% of infections contracted six weeks earlier. The added information from the DNA and antigen tests add further to the evidence that you don't have HIV and, when considered in the context of your low risk to start with (single exposure), you have nothing to worry about.
Hope this helps. EWH
1. Most sex workers, while at higher risk, still don't have HIV.
2. Even if she was infected, your risk of getting HIV from an infected partner through vaginal sex, if she was infected (this is unlikely) is less than 1 in 1000 exposures.
3. Finally, and most importantly, your tests are negative. The tests that you have had clearly rule out HIV. You do not have HIV and do not need further testing. At six weeks the ELISA test would detect over 95% of infections contracted six weeks earlier. The added information from the DNA and antigen tests add further to the evidence that you don't have HIV and, when considered in the context of your low risk to start with (single exposure), you have nothing to worry about.
Hope this helps. EWH
Best regards,