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HIV Risk - Thailand
Hello,
Apologies if you have covered this elsewhere but would like to get some advice.
I had two episodes of risky exposure while on holiday in Thailand i.e. unprotected vaginal sex with bar girls. Both times this happened it was when I was quite drunk. The exposures were about a week apart. I had flu symptoms about a week later that lasted a couple of weeks.
I was extremely worried so took an ELISA Architect Duo test 31 days (4.5 weeks) post the most recent exposure. The result was eqivocal with a score of 2.1 - this result was sent to the reference lab where they have a better testing process which then returned a negative result 6 days later on the P24 Antigen test and Antibody test (not sure what testing method used for Antibody)
On the same day that I recieved these results I went back to the same screening lab and had a second blood test. This would have been have been 37 days (5.5 weeks) after the most recent exposure. Again the result was equivocal with a slightly higher antibody count than the first result but with the range to signal an equivocal result. These mose recent results have been sent to the reference lab and I am waiting for the result (7-10 days)
I am worried about the timings of these tests. Is it possible that I have tested negative for the P24 test as my body has just begun creating antibodies but that the antibodies are not giving a positive result as not enough of them have been created to trigger a positive result?
Or is it more likely that the ELISA test is being confused by some other factor - e.g. other non HIV antibodies which is why I am getting the equivocal result?
All I can really do is await further testing but am very worried about this situation. Will bag it up for the rest of my days that's for sure.
With thanks
Anonymous
Apologies if you have covered this elsewhere but would like to get some advice.
I had two episodes of risky exposure while on holiday in Thailand i.e. unprotected vaginal sex with bar girls. Both times this happened it was when I was quite drunk. The exposures were about a week apart. I had flu symptoms about a week later that lasted a couple of weeks.
I was extremely worried so took an ELISA Architect Duo test 31 days (4.5 weeks) post the most recent exposure. The result was eqivocal with a score of 2.1 - this result was sent to the reference lab where they have a better testing process which then returned a negative result 6 days later on the P24 Antigen test and Antibody test (not sure what testing method used for Antibody)
On the same day that I recieved these results I went back to the same screening lab and had a second blood test. This would have been have been 37 days (5.5 weeks) after the most recent exposure. Again the result was equivocal with a slightly higher antibody count than the first result but with the range to signal an equivocal result. These mose recent results have been sent to the reference lab and I am waiting for the result (7-10 days)
I am worried about the timings of these tests. Is it possible that I have tested negative for the P24 test as my body has just begun creating antibodies but that the antibodies are not giving a positive result as not enough of them have been created to trigger a positive result?
Or is it more likely that the ELISA test is being confused by some other factor - e.g. other non HIV antibodies which is why I am getting the equivocal result?
All I can really do is await further testing but am very worried about this situation. Will bag it up for the rest of my days that's for sure.
With thanks
Anonymous
http://www.bhiva.org/documents/Guidelines/Testing/GlinesHIVTest08.pdf
Post-test discussion for individuals who test HIV negative
The need for a repeat HIV test if still within the window period after a specific exposure should be discussed. Although fourth generation tests shorten the time from exposure to seroconversion a repeat test at three months is still recommended to definitively exclude HIV infection.
Post-test discussion for individuals who test HIV negative
The need for a repeat HIV test if still within the window period after a specific exposure should be discussed. Although fourth generation tests shorten the time from exposure to seroconversion a repeat test at three months is still recommended to definitively exclude HIV infection.
Thank you for your response. I will certainly go back to have a repeat test for a higher degree of confidence in the results.
From what I have mentioned in my original post could you comment on any probabilities relating to the accuracy of these tests given the timeframe I metioned also accounting for the two screening equivocal results?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
From what I have mentioned in my original post could you comment on any probabilities relating to the accuracy of these tests given the timeframe I metioned also accounting for the two screening equivocal results?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
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