PCR test negative after 4 Weeks

[hivscared806]

My doctor got me tested after 4 weeks of unsafe exposure with a sex worker. My PCR viral load, antibody, RPR are all negative. CBC is also normal.

Do I need any more test. Also, it's about 8 weeks now, no fever nothing but I see some capilary bursts (red blood spots) on my fore arm which I did not notice before, is this something to be concerned about

[Teak]

The APTIMA® HIV-1 RNA Qualitative Assay is an in vitro nucleic acid assay system for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in human plasma. ("It is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection, including acute or primary infection.") Presence of HIV-1 RNA in the plasma of patients without antibodies to HIV-1 is indicative of acute or primary HIV-1 infection.
The APTIMA HIV-1 RNA Qualitative Assay may also be used as an additional test, when it is reactive, to confirm HIV-1 infection in an individual whose specimen is repeatedly reactive for HIV-1 antibodies.
This assay is not intended for use in screening blood or plasma donors.

[hivscared806]

So you think you know more then HIV specialists, right ??

here is the link from Doctor - Edward W Hook, MD

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/RNA-PCR-Test-after-28-days/show/1364872?personal_page_id=1721688#post_6230550

[Teak]

Your doctors are incorrect. A conclusive negative test is 3 months post exposure.

[hivscared806]

I got my self tested after 8 months , antibody test , and I am negative

These 8 months were not easy and feels like I have lost 8 months of my life. Thanks to all those who said with affirmation that PCR at 4 weeks is not conclusive and made me believe them then my Doctor.

My advice to any body reading this is listen to your Doctor and not someone who himself has HIV, is not a Doctor and his job is to scare others.

FYI, I consulted at least 5 doctors and all said RNA PCR and antibody at 4 weeks is confirmative

[scaredlonelady]

It could be stress man. Trust me..I know.

[hivscared806]

Mike

For last couple days, I am seeing some dryness in palms - dry skin, few bumps I scalp, diarria especially during afternoon meal. Could this be all stree related or they could HIV symptoms

[mike_no]

Those can't be associated with HIV in any ways. That's not even a symptom. You might have scratched that portion in response to an itch or probably some thing might have hit you, could be so many reasons but nothing in relation to HIV by any means.

[hivscared806]

Thanks mike, for a detailed answer. I will go for 12 week test. Just curious if you have anything to say about my capillary bursts ( red blood spots)

Thx

[mike_no]

At the 4th week, your doctor should have simply administered you on a IV gen ELISA TEST or if he's a believer in the NAT, a DNA PCR would have been a better test. However, nothing to take away from the RNA PCR, a negative RNA PCR is pretty encouraging.

PCRs are very sensitive in nature, the RT- RNA PCRs available today are capable of detecting as low as 5 copies / 100 ml, 72 hour post exposure, this test looks for the genetic material of HIV directly and only gets better with time, considering the replication system of the HIV virus in most cases, it multiplies in thousands every day that only implies that an RNA PCR in the intermidiate phase 10-14 days post exposure is successful in detecting the infection if it was caused at the first place.

I will not get in to the reasoning part of your doctor's choice to administer you on this test despite of no indicative symptoms or high risk exposure. However, will certainly tell you when it comes to the PCR RNA, it is certainly more reliable in terms of detection as it has an quantifying approach, than the DNA counterpart.

Also, In 2006, RNA PCR test was approved by FDA for diagnostic purpose. However, it is not a stand-alone test, an "undetected" test result has to be backed by an anti-body at the 12th week. (An undetected PCR result changing, if taken at the right time frame is very unlikely)

This is for the other WWs who might be following this post - Coming to false positives, let me give you some thing besides what a lot of "Copy - Paste" jing bang wouldn't agree to. However, practically can be justified - False positives are a concern of yesteryears, I am not saying it doesn't happen any more but, the ratio has dropped considerably, the testing technology has developed, methodologies have changed. If you yeild a false positive, your blood sample would be re-tested with out even your knowledge for confirmatory reason to avoid any scope of  false detection.

I recon that you are awaiting your final 12 week AB Test, I wish you good luck. I feel it's very unlikely that you will contract any thing from this one episode of penetrative sex, you should be fine. Just ensure that you back your "undetected" PCR result with one AB test at the 12th week, I am very confident that you are only due expecting a "Negative" on your AB Test.

Best of luck.

[Teak]

PCR-RNA tests are supplemental tests to antibody testing. You need to retest at 3 months post exposure with an antibody test  to obtain a conclusive negative test result.

[hivscared806]

It was PCR RNA

[Teak]

You need to test at 3 months to obtain a conclusive test result. PCR-RNA tests are supplemental test to an antibody test. PCR-DNA are not approved for diagnostic use.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/gap/pmtct/Trainer%20Manual/Adobe/Module_6TM.pdf

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[hivscared806]

Unprotected veginal sex

[Vance2335]

What was your actual exposure?

[hivscared806]

Anyone else, when I talked to my doctor , he said I don't need any more test. PCR is the best test you can get. PCR can be done after 2 weeks  and it actually checks for virus and not antibody. He also did PCR graph

[sonic91]

your tests are encouraging, not conclusive.

test at 3 months to know your status.

a test a 8 weeks would be more accurate  than your last one though