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testing???

The place I got tested at 6 weeks(negative) said that I should wait 90 days for a conclusive result. He said that there is a DNA test that is conclusive at 28 days. If so,Why doesn't everyone take this test at 4 weeks and move on. Is he right in saying this test(DNA) is conclusive. I want to take a 9 week test(antibody) in a couple of days. If 6 weeks is 95%, What is 9 weeks?

I have had a cold for 4 weeks with off and on sore throat and pain in my groin for 4 weeks. Are lymphnodes visible to the eye and touch? I don't see them or feel them, but something sure hurts down there.

Thanks Guys!!
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Avatar universal
Your 6 week result is highly reliable. Some would say definitive. The 90-day recommendation is the conservative status quo.

For the most part, the antibody test is used for diagnosis, rather than the PCR test. Why? It's cheaper, simpler (to do and administer), and is more specific (doesn't have the false-positive issues of PCR). And, from a public or medical policy perspective, there's no real benefit to running expensive tests to diagnose someone at 4 weeks versus 6 weeks or 13 weeks. Besides, many people will show at positive antibody test as early as 3 weeks, with 95% positive by 6 weeks, so there's very little to be gained by using PCR as the 'standard', and there are legitimate cost, specificity, and lab resource allocation issues.

Besides, rapid antibody tests provide results in 20 minutes at the point of care. PCR tests require a week's wait for processing.
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Avatar universal
Hi had a very low risk, SOME MAY SAY ZERO.  My concern I guess is these pains I am feeling in the groin and the sore throat for approx. 4 weeks. Thanks!!
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Couldn't say it better myself strata.
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At this point, I would just see a PCP.
May very well have nothing to do with HIV, that's for sure.
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Medically speaking, nothing is 100%. There are logistical issues that prevent nailing down the window period more precisely, so the "some may say zero risk" is based on the best guess of several experts in the field, based on their own research, experience, and knowledge.

"Pain in the groin" is not indicative of HIV. ARS-related lymphadenopathy is not tender, i.e., it doesn't hurt.

The evidence STRONGLY suggests that your symptoms are not due to HIV, so stop trying to second guess the facts. See your PCP for proper diagnosis of the non-HIV cause of your symptoms.
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Avatar universal
Thank you all!
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