Worried.. Rapid Test in Africa

[amin642]

Hello Doctos,

I tested for HIV rapid test in Zambia , till this time i was reading that Rapid tests very reliable after 4 months.

But I read one post on internet which tells that there are many False Negative cases recored while testing with Rapid test. Does it matter which equipement we are using while doing tests as I havenet paid attension to to test equipement... is my test reliable and colcusive or i should go for Lab based tests like ELISA.

http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/18066.html

[Teak]

The equipment is furnished by the World Health Org and it's not substandard. Take any further questions to the HIV Anxiety Support Group.

[amin642]

Yaa... i know..Thats y i have mentioned that equipment imported can have sub standard to save money.... How can we be sure about the TESTing done ...? is it reliable ?...

[Teak]

Really? Africa doesn't manufacture the tests nor do they manufacture the condoms.

[amin642]

I agree with Masedi, this region has many sub standard medical equipement due to poverty and less strict rules.. the question is whether we can rely on labs or we should be checking equipment manufacturer and quality as it is not required in devloped world.

People who never been to africa may think that there are no chances of sub standard processes but being here we know the facts.

We have John Hopkins Hospital Here ..shall I go for ELISA test there?

[Teak]

3 months is conclusive no matter what country you live in.

[amin642]

Hie vance.. My belief was the same beofore .. After reading many posts it seems like there r many equipment companies with different standards..being in africa i can assume labrotories must be buying cheap kits for maximum profits .. Can this be a risk and need to be verified by Elisa ?

[Vance2335]

Rapid tests look for antibodies and are conclusive at 3 months. False Negatives do not happen...false positives do but again not negative.

[amin642]

please help