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occult hiv infection?Is there such thing?Teak have you heard of it?

hello experts:
                  i think if a person has hiv it will be tested out by either PCR or antibody. But i heard some scary story that some peole said there are some people may have "occult hiv infection" or "dormant hiv carrier".Then i found this report in Aug 2008.(http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/News_Letters_HIV-AIDS-Aug-08.pdf ), the author said one hypothesis which mentioned about the "occult infection". Some people may have very low level hiv DNA in their Tcells or PBMC.Both antibody or PCR cannot test them out.
                  i don't know if it is true ,just want to ask for some pro advices, like from Teak etc.
                  
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Avatar universal
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/gap/pmtct/Trainer%20Manual/Adobe/Module_6TM.pdf

Page 11
Number 4

On MedHelp, we follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), test manufacturers, FDA, and our experts, Drs. HHH and Hook.

For this forum, it is 3 months. Yes, a 6 or 8 week test may be accurate, but it's not conclusive until 3 months. Saying that the 6 or 8 week test is a good indicator is fine, but to be conclusive, testing must happen at 3 months. It is also this forum's position that oral sex by itself does not require testing.

You can quote doctors, but make sure you say that. Doctors are licensed to practice medicine and can say that given the particulars about exposure, timing, etc., that someone doesn't need more testing. However, unless you are a doctor, you can't say that.

Emily
MedHelp
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Avatar universal
hi teak,thank you for your response.

So have you ever heard of or known some one ever had an occult infection or be a carrier but never could be tested out with neither antibody or PCR test?

And you said "no such thing"....are you sure? sorry for my post again ,but i really want a certain reassurance from you.:)
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1482495 tn?1289757410
i Hope you are right reallyregret

this thread scared me .."occult hiv infection"  huh
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi christoph22,

The article also mentioned that it is a "hypothesis", not a confirmed fact.

Further, it is only an attempt explain how is it that some people never get hiv despite multiple exposures. It was not trying to elaborate on the validity of the testing period.


May God bless


reallyregret
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1364665 tn?1291607092
Quantitative HIV plasma RNA PCR tests are used primarily to monitor HIV disease progression. It's a measure of viral replication and therefore is an excellent tool for monitoring how well antiretroviral therapy is working.

Qualitative HIV PCR DNA is not FDA approved for HIV-diagnostic testing; however, it can be very helpful in sorting out unclear or indeterminate HIV-antibody test results.

All PCR tests run the risk of false positives and are much more costly than diagnostic HIV-antibody tests.
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Avatar universal
You can bet on it and that all are located in Africa that alone should alert you.
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1364665 tn?1291607092
Yes you can take my word. I'm telling you with truly certainty.
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Avatar universal
No such thing.
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Avatar universal
hello Teak,i heard that you are a hiv expert,would you please give some advice to somehow" occult infection"? really thanks
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Avatar universal
so can i take your words as "if there were some exceptions it must be related to some abnormal situation,like on chemo,taking drugs etc.If a normal person get infected it will be tested out within 3month mark"
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1364665 tn?1291607092
There's no way for you not to be tested postive beyond 3 months if you are not on chemo, taking antirejections drugs for organ transplants and chronic IV drug abuses. PCR tests are not HIV diagnostic test. But it's really good in monitoring HIV disease progression.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The nurse told me after three months your test results will tell you.
Helpful - 0
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