HIV testing

[MK716]

Can anyone just briefly explain to me why the HIV standard of length of time to test has gone down to 3 months? Even with tests such as Home access? Why was the window so long before? Some even still say it is. I'm sorry...I'm just trying to reassure myself and keep from spending money on yet another test..

[MK716]

so taking a couple courses of acyclovir wouldn't affect my negative results, right?

[Vance2335]

I stated above what a compromised immune system is...chemyo etc. Your immune system would have to be destroyed. Yours is fine.

[xxxjason]

how con a person tel if they have a compromissed imune system? i get very frecuent colds. like once every 2 months or so? can this be considered to be a compromisses inmune system??
Vance please?

[MK716]

I wish everyone would get on the 3 month ball....

[MK716]

Thanks a bunch. This site has really really helped me. My anxiety has gone down slightly.

[Vance2335]

3 months is conclusive...just like everywhere else come people might test out 6 months. Only those who have compromised immune systems due to anti-organ rejection drugs, chemyo...thanks like that.
3 months conclusive.

[MK716]

http://www.homeaccess.com/HIV_FAQ.asp

[Vance2335]

Never seen or heard that before. Do you have a link to the website?

[MK716]

Home access says 6 months to be sure...is that just a cover your a** routine?

[avonelle38]

Even if the test used was a 1st or 2nd generation, these tests still have a 3 month window period and are still just as accurate as the newer generation tests.

[MK716]

So it's basically everyones stigma that is holding them back..when medical technology is moving along? I spoke to a nurse who told me to get retested in 6 months....and I just want to put this behind me. Even being a home access test I hear they are 1 or 2 generation...they are still more sensitive then in the past? I appreciate your help. Everyones help.

[Vance2335]

Stay on your own thread.

[justneedsomehelpplease]

Well i read a lot posts that say after eights of being exposed to an hiv risk that your hiv test is accurate and it wont change when you take your 90 day test. Is that true?

[Vance2335]

1. It doesn't matter in 2010.
2. Any antibody test on the market has a 3 month window period.

[naveea]

i have got a question here.
1. What generation tests were used before 2004
2. What generation test are valid for 3 month test

[Vance2335]

Briefly is tough to do but I'll give it a shot. Manufacture of tests do controled testing to set a window period and as time passes techonology gets better. So in 2004 after years of controled tests and millions spent the manufactures applied to have the window period moved from 6 months to 3 months. The FDA approved this and the CDC has gone along with it.

It boils down to tests being more senestitive and the millions of dollars it takes to confirm the shorter window period. If they were so inclinded they could probably get the time down to 8 weeks.