Aa
cmia testing method
hi everyone!! my main question is: whats the reliability of a cmia test, after 3.5 weeks of potential exposure to the virus? and secondly, is it true the the cmia test can give back a positive result earlier than the elisa or p24 antigen tests?
Help is really appreciated.
I would like to thank each one of you in advance.
Help is really appreciated.
I would like to thank each one of you in advance.
The Ag/Ab test, also known as the CMIA test, does not look for the virus itself, but looks for both the antibodies (Ab) created by the immune system and also for a particular protein/antigen (p24 antigen). The p24 antigen is present early on but not always present in infection as it often starts to rapidly decline after the immune system creates the antibodies mentioned above.
So teak was WRONG, the P24 is used for early detection but after about 4 weeks it is kind of useless because your body would have made enough antibodies to fight the virus, thus there will be non in your system to be tested.
BUT teak was right about saying its too early to be sure because the P24 is not as accurate as other tests.
However do another CMIA test at the six week point and then you can be fairly certain that all is well.
Also repeat at the 3 month mark to be sure.
If you are really worried the you can do a PCR Proviral DNA test, it is more expensive but the window period is just a few days.
GOOD LUCK
The test is just as accurate as the antibody test, and may pick up the infection at an earlier time -- meaning it may detect HIV infection sooner than a standard HIV antibody test
So teak was WRONG, the P24 is used for early detection but after about 4 weeks it is kind of useless because your body would have made enough antibodies to fight the virus, thus there will be non in your system to be tested.
BUT teak was right about saying its too early to be sure because the P24 is not as accurate as other tests.
However do another CMIA test at the six week point and then you can be fairly certain that all is well.
Also repeat at the 3 month mark to be sure.
If you are really worried the you can do a PCR Proviral DNA test, it is more expensive but the window period is just a few days.
GOOD LUCK
The test is just as accurate as the antibody test, and may pick up the infection at an earlier time -- meaning it may detect HIV infection sooner than a standard HIV antibody test
and something else that i forgot to ask: is it possible for someone to have hiv symptoms and not the anti-hiv antigone produced? thxs
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