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HiV duo

Hello Doctors

If someone has a 6 week duo which is negative can he consider the results totally conclusive even in high risk exposures?

NHS states that 6 weeks duo is conclusive and they say that the US is behind in claiming 12 week antibody test is the only test to be considered conclusive.

Once again is 6 week reliable even at very risky exposure?


Thanks for your answer
12 Responses
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum

A negative duo test (i.e., a "4th generation" HIV test, for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen) at 6 weeks is absolutely 100% definitive proof that no HIV infeciton is present.  Below are links to threads that discusses window periods, including an explanation of why official sources (in the US) continue to state 3 months for definitive testing, despite the scientific evidence.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1449423

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700

Best wishes--   HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
Any answer please?
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Patience, patience.  The moderators are not on call 24/7.  We try to answer new questions within 24 hours.
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Avatar universal
Dear doctor thank you for your answer. My exposurewas low risk but just wanted to confirm. So would you agree that if someone has a 6 weeks negative test he can be sure that any symptoms are unrelated to hiv. I already had a negative duo at 32 days so i guess if symptoms were due to hiv then duo would be positive at that time. Is this correct?
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes -- you correctly understand.
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Avatar universal
Last question doctor and pls end this thread. How likely is a negative 32 days duo to turn positive at 42 days?
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Zero chance.
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Avatar universal
Thatwas my last comment. Thank you so very much. Have a good day
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Avatar universal
Doctor i have another question pls let me know if i have to pay in order to get an answer.
Apart from the negative duo at 32 days i had a chlamydia and gonnorhea test which were negative.

My tongue is very painful a bit hairy and reddish. Do u think that this can be related to herpes and or syphillis?
I am at 6 weeks post exposure. Will a test for syphillis /herpes be accurate?

If j have to pay Dr pls let me know because i really need your help. I cannot stop googling illnesses and symptoms
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Tongue symptoms like these are not suggestive of HIV; they are common with minor viral infections, changes in diet, and other minor conditions.  Syphilis testing is conclusive at 6 weeks, but for HSV it's 12-16 weeks.  However, I recommend against HSV testing unless you have symptoms that suggest herpes.
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Avatar universal
But why TEAK always say it's NOT CONCLUSIVE?

Isn't he like one of the moderators here? How can he have a different opinions from you who is the EXPERT here?

We are confused on who to trust? If we can't pay you $22,- then we are "stuck" with what TEAK has to say, which is always discouraging for us who really need help. BUT WHICH ONE IS CORRECT?

When an EXPERT like you says DUO TEST is conclusive at 4 weeks, then TEAK says it's not until 3 months, then who to believe??
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sometimes a thread jump raises an issue of value to all users.  This issue has been explained before, but it bears repeating.

Throughout MedHelp's forums, users have one or more options for community forums at no cost, where comments may come from any user, regardless of expertise.  For guaranteed professional expertise, the professional forums are available for a fee.

My understanding is that Teak has no official relationship with MedHelp.  He provides valuable comments and replies to questions on the HIV community forum, strictly as a volunteer helping people.  His advice is always helpful and there is virtually 100% agreement between us on potential exposures that are or are not risky for HIV infection.

However, Teak always sticks to the offiical recommendations (in the US) about the time to reliable HIV test results ("window period"), which we do not necessarily do on this forum.  Different window periods are official in other countries and according to various experts, depending on the specific test (or combination of tests) that may be done.  In addition, the historic/official 3 month interval applies only to the antibody tests; adding tests for the virus itself (p24 antigen, NAATs for HIV DNA or RNA) typically shortens the interval.

In various threads and comments, Dr. Hook and I have explained why intervals shorter than 3 months usually are conclusive despite the official advice from test manufacturers and most public health agendies.  It's laregely because of regulations in the US about marketing diagnostic tests.  See the thread liked below.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
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