How accurate conclusive is 8 weeks?

[Roger945]

So I am concerned about a possible exposure I had about 3 months ago.  I received a negative result after 8 weeks, however I am concerned because I take valtrex daily as a proactive measure to keep my cold sores in check.  I am concerned that this would effect the window period or the accuracy of the test.  

http://ehealthforum.com/health/month-test-conclusive-t174229.html - This article states people on anti-virals can have an affected test result below is his quote

"Testing after six months is recommended only for people who have weakened immune system (caused by disease or medication) and for people who were undergone an antiviral therapy which might have decreased the number of viruses in the blood to undetectable level and would need additional three months to reach the detectable level. "

So my basic questions are
1. Does valtrex affect the test result or window period and if it doesn't why ?  
2. How accurate in a percentage is an 8 week test?
3. Should I wait for 6 months for a truly accurate result because of the valtrex ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Not "pretty accurate", but accurate at 8 weeks. Believe the test results.  EWH

[Roger945]

Since smoking cigarettes hampers the immune system, and I am a smoker, would smoking combined with the valtrex affect the results or the window period of the test ?  Or is it still pretty accurate after 8 weeks ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

We do not get into debates with other web sites or statements culled from other site here on this Forum.  That said, I think you are over reading what you have seen on the other web site.  As I have already said, studies have proven that anti-herpes medications such as valacyclovir have NO effect on HIV test conversion. That is they do not delay the test becoming positive if it were going to.  In answer to your other questions:

2.  At 8 weeks well over 99% of tests that are going to become positive are positive.  Neither of us is aware of any cases in which persons have developed positive tests beyond 8 weeks in over 3 years. This statement is based on our own experience, reading the medical literature and discussion with other experts.  
3.  As I said before, this is not needed.

Take care.  EWH