question about testing

[lostone08]

hello everyone i had an exposure in january and had all symptoms 3 weeks after had a rapid blood test done at 8weeks neg had a rapid oral test done at 11 weeks neg my question is i know there are different strains of hiv now is hiv 2 common in asia? does the rapid test apply for both strains or only hiv 1?

[Teak]

HIV 2 is not common in Asia.

[lostone08]

thanks Teak now i have bben hearing a lot about different strains of hiv if i was to be infected over there would the tests in the us pick it up?

[regularjoey]

Most tests used in the US can detect HIV-2 infection.  HIV-2 in Asia is very uncommon, maybe except for India.  I don't think you need to be concerned anymore, your testing is sufficient.

[lostone08]

so since i tested neg at 8 weeks rapid finger ***** test and 11 weeks neg rapid oral and elisa do you think i am conclusive? or do i need to wait one more week at the 12th week mark? since my exposure was in asia should i go get a hiv-2 test or can i say its all conclusive now and put it behind me

[Teak]

I doubt one week is going to change your status. You don't need to get an HIV2 test.

[lostone08]

what countries is hiv 2 prevalant?

[lostone08]

do hiv 1 tests pick up hiv 2 if its present?

[ECN44120]

Hiv2 is rare even in South Africa and Botswana( these are the country whit more hiv positive people and the one whit the most hiv prevalence 25%)

[lostone08]

anyone else know anything about this hiv 2 strain and how the tests work your info would be greatly apreciated

[Frank303]

Go by your in-country guidelines for test times with non-full-blood tests.

HIV-2 is so unprevalent in Industrialised nations it's not worth even bothering about.
It just happens to be included in most current tests
1 So they can market tests worldwide including areas of Africa HIV-2 occurs.
2 So they can market the tests to countries where there is African immigration.
(It's a myth BTW that they move to get treatment. African immigrants tend to be late presenters, certainly in the UK. They only present when they become ill and often get an AIDS diagnosis along with their HIV+ diagnosis.)

Bottom line, manufacturers can sell more units if they are combined HIV1/2
HIV-2 is far less transmittable than HIV-1

[baller99]

HIV 2 is mostly in west africa.

[lostone08]

ok well im in the us however my exposure was in southeast asia which is why im curios about hiv 2 but if thats the case would you say my 11 weeks and 3 day test is conclusive or should i go back at 13weeks

[lostone08]

also when i called the place i did my 8 week rapid test they said they there test checks for hiv 1 and hiv 2 when i called the one at 11 weeks they said only hiv 1 im confused and stressed again do tests for hiv 1 able to pick up hiv 2 since there the same virus or do i need a whole nother hiv 2 test now to be conclusive

[lostone08]

so correct me if im wrong but hiv-2 is basically only a strain in africa and is very very very rare in anyother parts of the world correct?

[ECN44120]

is rare even in Africa

[lostone08]

ok i see i tested negative at 11 weeks 3 days is this conclusive enough or should i wait 13 week mark then 6 month?

[ECN44120]

11weeks and 3 days is just 4 days short of 12 week, that conclusive too me, if you continue worried had another test at 13 weeks, that would be more than conclusive 6 month (no way)