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Avatar universal

Nothing is called 6 month for conclusive result

This is not a question,

I am sharing information from officials and not opinions even from specialized Drs.

The Window defer from test to test From 4 weeks to Maximum 12 weeks depend on the test taken

Lets start in the most conservative which is CDC in USA:

What does a negative test result mean?

A negative result does not necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period—the period after you may have been exposed to HIV but before a test can detect it. The window period depends on the kind of test that was used on your blood or oral fluid. For antibody tests, if you get a negative result within 3 months of your most recent possible exposure, you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark. For RNA tests or antibody/antigen tests, that timeframe may be shorter. Ask your health care provider if and when you need to be retested with a negative test result. And meanwhile, practice abstinence or mutual monogamy with a trusted partner, use condoms every time you have sex (and for every sex act—anal, oral, or vaginal), and don't share needles and other drug equipment (works).

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html

From the a above,  (you need to get tested again at the 3-month mark) which means the maximum window for the Antibody test is three months and it is less when it comes to the combo (4th generation)

from their new release chart, it is 3-4 weeks earlier see link

http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2014/HIV-Testing-in-Laboratories-graphics.html

Going to UK which has been using the 4th generation test before the US and based on their data and the Department of health announcement based on BASHH recommendation:

"A negative result on a fourth generation test performed at 4 weeks post-exposure is highly likely to exclude HIV infection.  A further test at 8 weeks post-exposure need only be considered following an event assessed as carrying a high risk of infection."

So from the above it is clear that 4 weeks is sufficient however 8 weeks is reassurance for high risk.

and in their previous statement on 2010 they have mentioned that by 12 weeks it is definitive.
https://www.google.com.sa/search?rlz=1C1GGGE_enSA525SA596&espv=2&q=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&oq=bashh+hiv+test+window+2010&gs_l=serp.3..33i21.2470.3035.0.3180.5.5.0.0.0.0.150.150.0j1.1.0.msedr...0...1c.1.62.serp..4.1.149.p1gn-aVJcK8

In Eroupe:

Interpreting negative HIV test results. Individuals whose specimens test negative on the initial HIV screening should be considered non infected unless the patient presents with symptoms of primary HIV infection or has a history of recent (6 weeks for fourth generation assays, 12 weeks for other assays) high-risk exposure (IV, C)
. In the case of recent exposure, the tests should be repeated at 6 weeks to 12 weeks (according to the test to be
used) from the time of exposure31,36,42 (IIb, B).
. Individuals with a high-risk exposure to HIV should
not be fully reassured until the test process is completed43 (IV, C).
. When using fourth generation assays, individuals who have a negative screening test after 6 weeks of
exposure may be recalled for a follow-up in specific circumstances, e.g. if post-exposure prophylaxis
(PEP) was given for any reason (e.g. occupational or sexual exposure), with patients who are very
anxious and seek further reassurance, where there is impaired ability to develop antibodies and where
there is microbiologically proven simultaneous acute infection with another viral pathogen, such as
human cytomegalovirus or hepatitis C virus.2,44–46 n this case, the final testing time may be 12 weeks
after exposure (IV, C).

So, For thr 4th generation window, it is 6 weeks.
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2014/2014IUSTIguidelineonHIVtesting.pdf

the link was taken from :
http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/euroguidelines.htm


BC Centre for Disease Control, June 2010

"Earlier testing can help if clients are anxious about their HIV status following a potential
exposure to HIV. An early negative result at 6 weeks, which is likely to remain HIV negative at
three months, may help to reduce anxiety"

http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/2982E293-BD82-436D-B193-F929B5CEEBEC/0/HIVTestinginBCResourceDocumentforHealthProfessionalsJune2010.pdf

Going to WHO (World Health Organization)

Diagnosis

An HIV test reveals infection status by detecting the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV in the blood. Antibodies are produced by an individual’s immune system to fight off foreign pathogens. Most people have a "window period", usually 3 to 6 weeks, during which antibodies to HIV are still being produced and are not yet detectable.

This early period of infection represents the time of greatest infectivity, but transmission can occur during all stages of the infection. If someone has had a recent possible HIV exposure, retesting should be done after 6 weeks to confirm test results, which enables sufficient time to pass for antibody production in infected individuals.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/

In Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia


WHAT DOES A NEGATIVE HIV ANTIBODY TEST RESULT
MEAN?
It means either
• That a person has not been infected with HIV
Or
• That a person has been infected with HIV recently
(within the last 6 weeks), but has not yet produced
antibodies. Remember it can take up to 6 weeks
for antibodies to develop after the initial infection
with HIV; this is called the window period. Please
note that there are some circumstances where
the window period is up to 12 weeks.

http://www.mshc.org.au/portals/_default/uploads/fact_sheets/hiv_antibody_test_ext_a4.pdf

In Canada:

NEGATIVE
If baseline testing is done while the client is in the window period, retest at three weeks and
three months after most recent at-risk behaviour; counsel client to maintain risk reduction
practices until all testing is complete. If no risk behaviour was present in the three months
prior to the first test, a negative result is conclusive.

http://www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/EN_HIV-Screening-Guide-2013.pdf

New York:
http://www.hivguidelines.org/clinical-education/hiv-qa-fact-sheets/window-period-for-hiv-infection/


AIDS Foundation of South Africa:
http://www.aids.org.za/testing-and-treatment/


Finaly:
How long after taking a risk can I be sure that
I am HIV-negative?
To be certain, BASHH recommends re-testing three
months after the last possible exposure to HIV.
Although the majority of infections are detected
within a month, and almost all within six weeks, there
are occasional cases when it takes longer. This period
will be longer if someone has taken post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP).

http://makingitcount.org.uk/files/MiC-briefing-10-TestingTechnologies.pdf
6 Responses
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Avatar universal
HIV testing at 6 months after exposure is no longer recommended. Late seroconversion (ie, after 3 months) has been rarely reported and has not been described since 1990.[32,33] It is unclear if these rare events were related to the original or subsequent exposures. Taking into consideration the infrequency of this occurrence, the increased sensitivity of standard HIV tests to detect early infection and seroconversion, and the added anxiety and significant consequences of an additional 3 months of precautions and testing for exposed workers

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778035_9

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with you for high risk exposure 8 week's.
This is where some confusion is.
A 3rd Gen is considered conclusive at 12 week's. A 4th Gen test has reduced the official guidelines by 3 to 4 week's, meaning the window period for 4th Gen test must be 8 week's.
But most specialist's consider the window period for 4th Gen test, 4 weeks+. So logically (as dear late Mr Spock said), the 3rd Gen test window period must be reduced to 8 week's.





Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nevertheless, I have a Russian official period of one year, although many doctors say that 6 months is enough. Few doctors, claiming about 6 weeks. But few who follow the modern data. Doctors are obliged to follow the official recommendations of the Ministry.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
http://www.avert.org/hiv-testing.htm
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree how ever for high exposure I will prefer 8 weeks test for 4th generation test

In Brazil
they mainly refer to ELISA test in this articl which conceder the window period between 30 to 60 days (8.5 weeks)

http://www.aids.gov.br/en/pagina/window-period
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well done on your research concerning official guidelines.
As you can see, different countries have slightly different advice.
It is amongst most experts that a 4th Gen test will give you accurate results at 4 week's and for a modern day, 3rd Gen test: 8 week's.
Helpful - 0
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