Why 6 months ?

[Sadaty]

Hello, all,

I have a few Qs regarding this confusing topic:

1- Why does the CDC recommend retesting at 6 months after an exposure with someone who is HIV+ ? do they seroconvert later?

2-Also when somebody reads that 3+ delayed seroconversion is "very rare" or "extremely rare" that doesn`t actually mean "nill" or "nobody would" seroconvert up to 6 months, that doesn`t exactly put one`s mind to rest.

3- Is there a reputable study that proves that those who do seroconvert later do have immunity problems?

Thanks and regards,

[Teak]

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

Page 11
Number 4

[Sadaty]

Does anyone have an answer? :)

[Sadaty]

I meant ELISA test of course, do false negative results occur more in an HIV low prevalence society? Egypt is considered a low HIV prevalence society, but that`s more according to the "reported cases numbers" and not the reality of things.

What odes this mean for the tests themselves?

[Sadaty]

Dear Teak, Thank you for the answer and manual,I have one last Q regarding this topic, what has "low prevalence" and "high prevalence" -societies?- got to do with the accuracy of a blood test?

[Sadaty]

The manual you provided are from CDC? so this "very rare" statement is done with? Hope so!

Some suggest that immunosuppressed  people sometimes have a delayed seroconversion, Dr.HHH says that`s only theoretical.. it`s confusing how science is too vague to provide justification for such a thing.

Can one say to a friend with confidence "you don`t have to retest after your three months - test?"

[Teak]

1. They don't and haven't since 2004