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Generation Conclusivity
We worried wells are paranoid about the window period.
Are there data thats says what is the window period for each generation?
Example
1st Generation?
2nd Generation?
3rd Generation?
4th Generation?
Are there data thats says what is the window period for each generation?
Example
1st Generation?
2nd Generation?
3rd Generation?
4th Generation?
First of all, most HIV experts have dispensed with the use of 'generation' to describe HIV testing.
There is no exact data on the window for ANY generation of test. The current guidelines are estimates based on medical professionals' experience.
By 3 months, all generations are equally reliable. The only difference between the generations is how sensitive they are. While all are CONCLUSIVE at 3 months, some newer tests are senstive enough to detect recent infection earlier in some patients.
A so-called 4th generation test includes P24 antigen detection to help detect very recent infection with HIV.
Here's a link to excellent testing info:
http://www.thebody.com/sfaf/hiv_testing.html
There is no exact data on the window for ANY generation of test. The current guidelines are estimates based on medical professionals' experience.
By 3 months, all generations are equally reliable. The only difference between the generations is how sensitive they are. While all are CONCLUSIVE at 3 months, some newer tests are senstive enough to detect recent infection earlier in some patients.
A so-called 4th generation test includes P24 antigen detection to help detect very recent infection with HIV.
Here's a link to excellent testing info:
http://www.thebody.com/sfaf/hiv_testing.html
Worried Wells are worried about the window period?? I can see you've been reading the papers!
According to the doctor, all tests available at the moment are 'modern' and therefore will nearly always detect antibodies by six weeks. He sees a negative test at six weeks as conclusive.
According to the CDC, the average time to seroconversion - time when antibodies have been formed - is 22 days. The vast, vast majority of people have detectable antibodies by six weeks. On aidsmeds.com, Ann, a moderator since 2001 - I think - has never seen a six week negative turn into a 12 week positive. The CDC recommends conclusive testing at 13 weeks. The WHO says 12 weeks. There are a few people who need to test further than that, but you would know if you fell into that category - IV drug user, severely suppressed immune system due to cancer treatment, recipient of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis(PEP). Conservative people say test to 13 weeks. I would personally agree with this, as with HIV you should be as thorough as you can be. That said, the doctor on this forum is adamant a six week test is sufficient. And it is also true that a six week negative is extremely unlikely to change. Extremely.
According to the doctor, all tests available at the moment are 'modern' and therefore will nearly always detect antibodies by six weeks. He sees a negative test at six weeks as conclusive.
According to the CDC, the average time to seroconversion - time when antibodies have been formed - is 22 days. The vast, vast majority of people have detectable antibodies by six weeks. On aidsmeds.com, Ann, a moderator since 2001 - I think - has never seen a six week negative turn into a 12 week positive. The CDC recommends conclusive testing at 13 weeks. The WHO says 12 weeks. There are a few people who need to test further than that, but you would know if you fell into that category - IV drug user, severely suppressed immune system due to cancer treatment, recipient of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis(PEP). Conservative people say test to 13 weeks. I would personally agree with this, as with HIV you should be as thorough as you can be. That said, the doctor on this forum is adamant a six week test is sufficient. And it is also true that a six week negative is extremely unlikely to change. Extremely.
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