Window Period, for Worried Wells

[ainxtein]

Just want to summarize the window period stuff, which is of the most concern of the worried wells.  There are different versions beginning from the most conservative (and probably outdated) 6-month thing, to the most aggressive 6 week (e.g. MA). (Confusing!) The window periods are different for various reasons, one being that the testing methods used by different clinics are different.  For this post, I am discussing up-to-date 3rd or 4th generation enzyme-link method tests that use your blood drawn from vein (I believe ELISA should be one). Quick test methods that can show results in 20 minutes are excluded.

Here is the schedule:
22.6% - 1week
53.775% - 2week
84.1% - 3week
98.4% - 4week
99.45% - 5week
99.994% - 6 week
99.99986% - 7week
99.99999*% - 8week

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[ExtremeStress]

well if someone is going to dig back in forums this far, they should have seen the SunnyGirls post. in the April posts she indeed tested at 4 weeks and it was negative, but tested later to confirm and she was positive w/ confirmation. 4 weeks is not a conclusive and isn't accurate when it comes to a life. if roughly 2 out of 100 will test positive later, that isn't good. 12 weeks should be enough reassurance for anyone, especially those who believe six weeks is conclusive. Why risk it?

[worried scik]

Based on the statistics cited above, it would be almost impossibe if anyone turned positive after 4 weeks which is why I am questioning the data.  There is no statistical difference between 4 5 6 and 8 weeks!  So everyone should be satisified with a 4 week test. Is that what the China experts are saying.  But then again, the head of the China SFDA was sentenced to death and hung two months ago so I'm not sure how reliable data from China is to begin with.

[worried scik]

The FDA reviews and approves the data and has the authority to modify, change or reject the manufacturer submissions.  All of these devices are approved under a 510k predicate device application which in most cases, subsequent applications from new manufacturers refer to the original submission to obtain the same claims and indications.

[Teak]

That is not true at all. The FDA didn't have anything to do with  the guidelines on when to test it was the manufacture and their recommendation. The CDC goes by what the manufacture of the suggests and their testing data. Three months is what all manufactures state.

[excessworry]

The statistics were based on ELISA? not PCR right? WHat do they have to say about 6 motnhs for IV users and immnue compromised patienst like cancer on cemo?

[lantongblack]

those are data are in chinese anyway...and its in elaborated version.

i have no comment on the 3 months conclusive. i think all the experts r saying 2-6weeks base on statistics/experience(never seen anybody turn positiv after 6 weeks after years of observations). And FDA/CDC set the CYA standard coz they need to make sure they cover evrybody, thats it.

I'm waiting form y 3 month's mark to arrive anyway. So i believe in both 2-6weeks being conclusive...but i think of 3 months as a final call.