Hepatitis C affecting the HIV window period

[karen610]

Does Hepatitis C or any of the other hepatitis viruses really cause delayed antibody production on standard antibody test?? is it possible that HCV will affect the HIV window period when co-infected with both at the same time?

[Teak]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Possible-Exposure-or-nothing-to-worry-about/show/1606372#post_7300463

[Teak]

As you have been told over and over your test was conclusively negative.

[Niceguy82]

I contacted Labcorp regarding their HIV tests around the same time I posted the above comment and they finally responded to my inquiry. I tested with them using the HIV 1/O/2 test at 14.5 and 20 weeks. I thought it would be good to share their response:

"LabCorp uses a 3rd Generation test for the HIV combo 1/0/2 with the Western Blot as the confirmation test. The primary characteristics for a 3rd Generation test are: use a recombinant or synthetic antigen to detect HIV-1 and HIV-2: Both IgG and IgM antibodies can be detected. We are currently validating the 4th Generation test, which will detect the p24 antigen in addition to the antibodies to Type 1 and Type 2. This test can detect an acute infection (The acute stage is more infectious than the Asymptomatic stage) days before antibodies have been formed."

[Teak]

You don't have an HIV concern.

[abegnohiv]

So teak are you serious me too I'm in the same situation I have tested neg at 51/2 months. I had many hep c symptom what if u had acute hep c symptom

[Teak]

Yes.

[karen610]

so what you are saying the the ora-quick antibody test is just as effective as the the 4th in detecting antibodies in 3 month 90 days, even if there a possibility  of being co-infected with HCV.. See i wouldnt have no doubt in the test, but now i read that HVC can cause delayed seroconversion. Does HBV do the same thing of is on HVC the only other disease that can cause delayed antibody production in HIV when using the standard basic regular antibody test... Pleas enlighten me you input would be most appreciative

[karen610]

well I was giving a orasure oral antibody test, and 3 months after that i was giving the ora quick rapid blood fingerprick test. what generation were those tests?? now with both testes being negative. you mean to tell me that its a possibly that i could be really infected??  the site i was at didnt have the 4th generation duo combo test... why wouldn't most hiv testes sites here in american have the duo tests instead of the standard antibody test since this issues of being co-infected with HCV is such a scare for some people

[RainLover71]

4th generation DUO.

[karen610]

Ok, so what would you consider modern tests today? because i here that term all the time, I never get a definitive definition of that term "modern test"

[Niceguy82]

How so?

[Teak]

Wrong.

[Niceguy82]

I've read on this website, other forums, and online sources that HIV Antibody tests used today aren’t that more advanced or accurate then those that were used in the 80's or 90's. The current tests are just slightly more sensitive than those earlier models. Even the largest laboratories, e.g. Labcorp, etc. use 2nd generation tests which were first introduced in the 90's. I think because of its low costs. If you find information that negates this, please go ahead and post it. It’s actually really disappointing to know that no big advances in testing has been made, except of course for Viral testing, PCR RNA, etc. which can be used in conjunction with a Antibody tests and DUO Rapid test which looks for Antibodies and Antigens, but this test is not approved yet in the US.

[RainLover71]

No it doesn't delay seroconversion.I wrote a journal about this very subject.With the modern tests we have avaliable to us these days it never happens.You have to go back 20 years when that last happened because the testing was average to say the least.