Aa
HIV test results. please help.
Hi there
I had an exposure with a female of unkniwn status, UK origin, stripper.
At 4 weeks I had a duo and rna pcr viral load which came back negative and not detected. Normally I would take this as a good sign but my test results for hep C have thrown me. I tested positive to hep c anti bodies 3 years ago on two separate test. 3 consecutive viral load test came back negative including one at 3 months and one at 1 year.
My current test state that there was no antibodies detected for hep C. Im concerned they have stuffed up my tests and this has left me feeling really anexious. This is mainly because I experienced a sore throat, fever, night sweats, diarrhea and vomitting at 3-4 weeks post exposure.
I have a few questions:
If the lab messed up my hep c test what are the chances my hiv duo test are also false negative? It states that Centuar was used for both hiv and hep c and another machine for PCR HIV-1 that detects from 20-10,000,000.
Is it possible to clear hep c and test negative to antibodies at some stage later down the track?
Im going in for the 12 week test soon.
Thanks
I had an exposure with a female of unkniwn status, UK origin, stripper.
At 4 weeks I had a duo and rna pcr viral load which came back negative and not detected. Normally I would take this as a good sign but my test results for hep C have thrown me. I tested positive to hep c anti bodies 3 years ago on two separate test. 3 consecutive viral load test came back negative including one at 3 months and one at 1 year.
My current test state that there was no antibodies detected for hep C. Im concerned they have stuffed up my tests and this has left me feeling really anexious. This is mainly because I experienced a sore throat, fever, night sweats, diarrhea and vomitting at 3-4 weeks post exposure.
I have a few questions:
If the lab messed up my hep c test what are the chances my hiv duo test are also false negative? It states that Centuar was used for both hiv and hep c and another machine for PCR HIV-1 that detects from 20-10,000,000.
Is it possible to clear hep c and test negative to antibodies at some stage later down the track?
Im going in for the 12 week test soon.
Thanks
I had another Duo at 76 days which came back negative. I consider this conclusive even though just in side the 3 months. Having read many of posts, Im sure Teak and many others will debate that it is not. I understand why this approach is taken. It is a measure to minimise risk of transmission.
A few things i learned and if you are in this situation should definately take on board.
1. Symptoms are in no way a predictor for hiv. I had high fever, night sweats, sore throat, rash, headaches, diarrhea and vomitting for about a week starting on the 23 days after potential exposure. On top if that i had the flu vaccine so flu was highly unlikely. DO NOT TRY AND DIAGNOSE YOURSELF.
2. Trust your test results not your imagination.
3. While risk of transmission is quite low per exposure, use a condom to save yourself from the torture you will put yourself through with testing and worry.
4. When i got the results i felt relieved but then my mind switched to those that test positive. If anyone ever disclosed to me they had hiv i would wrap my arms around them and give them a huge hug. The mental srength it would take to process a positive diagnosis and continue with a positive outlook makes you someone to admire.
A few things i learned and if you are in this situation should definately take on board.
1. Symptoms are in no way a predictor for hiv. I had high fever, night sweats, sore throat, rash, headaches, diarrhea and vomitting for about a week starting on the 23 days after potential exposure. On top if that i had the flu vaccine so flu was highly unlikely. DO NOT TRY AND DIAGNOSE YOURSELF.
2. Trust your test results not your imagination.
3. While risk of transmission is quite low per exposure, use a condom to save yourself from the torture you will put yourself through with testing and worry.
4. When i got the results i felt relieved but then my mind switched to those that test positive. If anyone ever disclosed to me they had hiv i would wrap my arms around them and give them a huge hug. The mental srength it would take to process a positive diagnosis and continue with a positive outlook makes you someone to admire.
The RNA result is good but the negative HIV DUO test at 4 weeks is even better.You need to test out to 3 months but I believe from my experience that your results won't change.You will be negative at 3 months.
Im referring to undetectable viral load during what appeared to be ars not after prolonged treatment.Your comments seem contradictory to many other HIV specialist.
He doesn't know anything about HIV and testing. I'm HIV positive and have been for 29 years and my viral load is undetectable. If you want to test use the correct antibody test.
I understand this but it does not answer either question. My doc told me an UND viral load at 4 weeks is a good indication of my status though not conclusive alone. Is that correct?
From what I read false negative RNA PCR is exremely rare after 2-3 weeks.
Perhaps I should have asked about the reliability of the hiv duo given my situation. Does it give false negatives particularly if the hep c result seems unreliable?
From what I read false negative RNA PCR is exremely rare after 2-3 weeks.
Perhaps I should have asked about the reliability of the hiv duo given my situation. Does it give false negatives particularly if the hep c result seems unreliable?
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