Aa
please help me
i had unprotected anal sex just recently (24 of august) with a person i met online hiv status was unknown. i started getting a soar throat and feeling strange like a week later and 4 weeks and 2 days after exposer i got tested twice in the same day both came out negative for everything. then i took another one at 5 weeks (nagtive) and will be taking one tomorrow at 8 weeks. i did go to the clinic and the doctor found me to have strepp throat wich i was given medicine for but now im starting to think its something else beacuse ive been having these strange symptoms for 2 months already (almost feels like acid reflux or gerd sometimes im not sure what it is) and my stomach starts feeling a bit nausius out of nowhere... my question is how reliable are my 1 month and 2 day tests and my 5 week test? wouldnt i have tested positive if i was already showing some kind of symptom? please help me!!!
To bad you wasn't scared before having unprotect sex again I will not guess at anyone's status that has had an exposure.
Huf..you scare me now Teak. I have seriously been told my tests are conclusive and been told to have unprotected sex witj my wife again. Are you really saying is a possibility that i am infected or do you according to your knowledge and experience consider my 6 week duo as a strong indication that is unlikely to change at my 12 week test.?
The official HIV window period is 3 months post--exposure and has been since 2004--there are NO shortcuts.I used to be on the DUO band wagon at 4 weeks but it's not conclusive and it doesn't test for HIV2 so I have been made to eat humble pie and open my eyes and follow the correct guidelines.
No, Dr H is not "wrong" per se. He talks about his own personal, professional experience and knowledge. If he is comfortable with a test short of the window period, than so be it! He knows what he knows and he knows a lot.
We on the other hand, in the prevention community, not being doctors can only advice based on FDA established guide lines.
We did not manufacture the tests, we did not design the tests, we did not evaluate the tests, we cannot possibly tell you anything other than that the conclusivity of a test is based on the test manufacturers clinical trials and the stamp of approval by the FDA.
And unless that changes, and I cannot see it will change in the foreseeable future then we cannot, with a clear conscience tell you that any type of test other than an antibody test at three months is conclusive.
We on the other hand, in the prevention community, not being doctors can only advice based on FDA established guide lines.
We did not manufacture the tests, we did not design the tests, we did not evaluate the tests, we cannot possibly tell you anything other than that the conclusivity of a test is based on the test manufacturers clinical trials and the stamp of approval by the FDA.
And unless that changes, and I cannot see it will change in the foreseeable future then we cannot, with a clear conscience tell you that any type of test other than an antibody test at three months is conclusive.
Here is what you do, you contact :
Richard Klein
HIV/AIDS Program Director
FDA Office of Special Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration
and he'll set you straight on HIV testing.
Richard Klein
HIV/AIDS Program Director
FDA Office of Special Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration
and he'll set you straight on HIV testing.
so how are we supposed to know what generation of test they give us??? for example if i go to 3 different clinics its a possiblity they are using 2 different tests?? well that doesnt sound right to me whats the difference??
Dr. HHH is not wrong. We all know that. Look at his profile. He is well educated and has been in the std game for 40 years. The forum here follows cdc guidelines and that applies for US only. Not all labs use the newer tests and that is the reason for that. Sweden, Norway also have 12 weeks but call it a confirmation test. Denmark recommend no more testing after 6 weeks. All hence to the duo. And by the way. Is good that guidelines are concervative for the peoples safety.
and i quote " If you will sleep better having even more negative test results, feel free to test yourself as much as you want. The official recommendation from most experts is to have a test at 3 months; but in fact virtually all infected persons are positive by 6 weeks, with modern tests. (We're talking here about the standard antibody test, not PCR.)"
Dr. HHH soooooo??????
Dr. HHH soooooo??????
I totally agree with you. But some experts i guess are part of making the guidelines. In my opinion i think the health authorities around the world and WHO should come together and make global guidelines including information about each generation of tests and its benefits, abilities and windowperiod. Its clearly that different tests have different windows. Many European countries recommend no further testing after a six week result with the duotest unless symptoms suspect ars.
Many doctor or experts are not the ones that manufacture the tests nor are they involved with giving the test approvals. The manufacture and the FDA are the ones that set the tests guidelines and give the approvals.
what about that p24 antigen test everyones talking about that can detect hiv infection 28 days from exposer??
There are no tests marketed or sold to give a conclusive negative test earlier than 3 months.
Dr. Handsfield (a real doctor) has said that 6 weeks is 95% accurate.. now 95% is pretty damn accurate so i stress the question again who's right here?
Yes, an 8 week test is more reliable than a 5 week test. Even with a 8 week test, you must still test at 3 months post exposure.
you said: "will i be doing it for nothing"
Yes - because you have to retest at 3 months
No - Not if it helps you sleep at night and relieves your stress
you said: "will i be doing it for nothing"
Yes - because you have to retest at 3 months
No - Not if it helps you sleep at night and relieves your stress
I have the same problem. Think is best to stick with that info from your generaldoctor and your local health clinic where you obtain the tests and to the guidelines in the country you are. From what I understand the duotest is very accurate at 6 weeks. Some say conclusive. I think you will be oki.
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I wish I could tell you that you're out of the woods, but I can't and I won't!!
May I indulge you in a lecture?
If you come out of this ok, and statistically speaking, the odds are in your favour, the next time you feel the urge, think back at your anxiety you're afflicted with right now. USE A CONDOM!