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How do I find out definitively wheter I am positive or negative for HBV within a short time frame?
About a month ago I had sex with a indirect female sex worker in Cambodia and my condom broke! I quickly pulled out and checked myself but since then I have been frantic, and severely scared about my health. I went to a clinic (in Australia) exactly one week after the possible exposure, and I was, to my relief, negative to HAV and HBV, and the doctor told me that HCV took about 6-8 weeks to show. Now back in the States, after 4 1/2 weeks later after the possible exposure, I am reading that HBV can take 3-12 weeks of incubation before it can be detectable. Some sites even claim up to 6 months to 9 months??? DEAR GOD!! Unfortunately I haven't been vaccinated before the exposure. But I don't understand how the doctor in Australia was able to tell me definitively that I am clear of HAV and HBV after one week from the possible exposure?
To add to this - Does testing negative to HBV, even after 4 weeks after possible exposure mean that it is still possible to have HBV but my tests showed up negative because the antigen was not detectable yet? Is there a definite time window for HBV detection? HIV has a PCR test that directly tests for the antigen after 4 weeks of possible exposure that is 99 percent effective! Does HBV have any similar type of test? I would hate to have to fear for the next 9 months and repeat test after test every month just to determine whether I have been infected with HBV!
Also it seems that the support, studies, and documentation on HBV pales in comparison to HIV and to me HBV can be just as bad if not worse! Why is it that? Are people still working on a possible cure for HBV or have they put all their attention on HIV now?
To add to this - Does testing negative to HBV, even after 4 weeks after possible exposure mean that it is still possible to have HBV but my tests showed up negative because the antigen was not detectable yet? Is there a definite time window for HBV detection? HIV has a PCR test that directly tests for the antigen after 4 weeks of possible exposure that is 99 percent effective! Does HBV have any similar type of test? I would hate to have to fear for the next 9 months and repeat test after test every month just to determine whether I have been infected with HBV!
Also it seems that the support, studies, and documentation on HBV pales in comparison to HIV and to me HBV can be just as bad if not worse! Why is it that? Are people still working on a possible cure for HBV or have they put all their attention on HIV now?
Please if you got any information which could make you definit please send to me as I have the same problem and waiting 6 or 9 months is very defficlut.
I have sent message to you concerning same
Thanks
I have sent message to you concerning same
Thanks
Smart kid scared straight --- head over to Steven and Zelly - they're awesome over there!
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