HIV kit

[worriedman402]

I was wondering how accurate the HIV kits are or should I go to a lab for a test. You put a drop of blood on it and then wait 5 minutes for the result.

[DexDexter]

Teak, I know man, you are right.
    But that's what is informed on the homtest website.

Thanks man. I will be goin for other STD test tomorrow.

[Teak]

CDC doesn't say that at all and you've been here long enough to know it. If YOU want to test out to 6 months that is totally up to you but it's totally unnecessary.

[ECN44120]

Dex, the most accepted worldwide window period is 3 months, CDC havent issued revised guidelines in a few years, for example australian guidelines says 9 week is conclusive, but the most accepted window period is 3 months, you can find all the research of window period in this page, and it says 12 week as the window period.

http://****.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-02-02-01#S3X

[DexDexter]

they say one should test after six months of exposure.  and claim that the CDC's recommd

hiv-****.com
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Q: When should I test?

A: If you think that you have been exposed to HIV, you should be tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if it's been 6 months since the last time you could've possibly been exposed and you test negative, you can feel confident with your negative test result.



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[Teak]

I don't know if Home Access is sold in Canada or not. You can got to their website and call them.

[Teak]

If you test positive at 6 weeks and a WB was also confirmed as positive then you would be positive. But for a conclusive negative result which most people want when they have had a real risk the test result is obtained a 3 months not in 6 week or 8 weeks but 3 months post exposure.

[DexDexter]

Do they sell these things in Canada?

[ECN44120]

Like teak said a 3 month test will be 99,99% accurate, but a 6 week test is 90-95% accurate regarding the Drs in teh forum, is up to you to dicide if the 10%-5% margin is enough for you but the only way you can sure is to taking the test at the 3 months

[Teak]

It wouldn't be reliable at all nor would any other test. 3 months dude is when you need to take your test and get a conclusive test result. If you want to do a Home Access test. Then do it at three months send it in and your results will be conclusive.

[worriedman402]

and how accurate would it be at 6 weeks? do they fo a WB before they tell you the result if it isnt negative to make sure first?

[ECN44120]

They are every bit as accurate as an Elisa in a lab, for a negative result, but for a positive result the have slightly more false postivies, anyway a positive elisa or rapid test is not considered positive unless a WB is positive too.