question about unprotected oral

[cmc41]

I received unprotected oral sex from another guy who's hiv status I don not know. About two days later, I found two small ? cuts/sores on my penis, I would not have noticed them if I had not been checking. I do have herpes, but I don't think I had an outbreak. I know you people are not doctors , but what do you think my risk maybe if these were there during oral sex. Also I was wondering about the PCR test. I can seen to find any straight answers to either of my question

Thanks

[jeffopa]

Fourth-Generation Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of HIV Antigen and Antibody

Antibody can be detected in a majority of individuals within 6-12 weeks after infection using the earlier generations of assays, but may be detected within 3-4 weeks when using the newer third-generation antigen sandwich assays.(2) The window period can be shortened to about 2 weeks using p24 antigen assays or reduced to 1 week with the implementation of nucleic acid detection assays.(12) Consequently, the window period between infection and detection of infection may be <2 weeks if a comprehensive testing approach is utilized. The detection of p24 antigen by ELISA is a simple cost-effective technique to demonstrate viral capsid (core) p24 protein in blood during acute infection due to the initial burst of virus replication after infection. In order to maximize the detection of all infected individuals, including those in early infection, antibody, antigen, and viral RNA tests should be used. However, viral RNA tests are expensive, time consuming, and unavailable in many laboratories. Laboratories that possess ELISA capability can increase the ability to detect most infections by testing for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. During the late 1990s, assays in an ELISA format that have the capability to detect both HIV antibody and HIV p24 antigen simultaneously were developed, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate assays.

The new generation of combination ELISAs that simultaneously detect both antigen and antibody has been developed and marketed, and offers advantages for decreasing the time, personnel, and costs necessary to perform each assay individually. These assays have demonstrated a high analytical sensitivity of detection that is most likely attributed to the combination of a third-generation format (antigen sandwich) for antibody detection and the ability to simultaneously detect HIV p24 antigen. To date, there are 8 commercial, combination antibody and antigen assays that have been developed and evaluated.(13-31) These fourth-generation assays include the VIDAS HIV DUO Ultra (bioMérieux; Marcy l'Etoile, France), Enzymun-Test-HIV-Combi (Boehringer; Mannheim, Germany), Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/AB (Organon Teknika; Boxtel, Netherlands), AxSYM-HIV Ag/AB (Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Park, IL), Enzygnost HIV Integral (Dade Behring; Marburg, Germany), Genescreen Plus HIV Ag-AB (Bio-Rad), and COBAS Core HIV Combi (Roche Diagnostics; Mannheim, Germany). The eighth assay is an 18-minute, double-antigen sandwich combination assay called the Elecsys-HIV Combi (Boehringer) that has been reported to have a specificity of 99.8% when challenged with a cohort of hospitalized patients.(16) This rapid assay is based on electrochemiluminescence and is reported to reduce the window period by 5 days over antibody tests. A ninth, unidentified assay is a lineal immunoenzymatic assay evaluated to have a sensitivity of only 99.5% and a specificity of 94.8%.

The benefits of testing for both antibody and antigen are justifiable due to the need to identify individuals with both established and early HIV infection not only for the blood donor population but also for some clinical applications. Early detection of infection via antigen testing promotes the prompt referral of infected individuals for the initiation of treatment, counseling, and prevention interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Due to their ability to detect p24 antigen, the fourth-generation ELISAs will be of value in detecting early infection. These assays are highly applicable for the diagnosis of early and established HIV infection by hospital and private clinical laboratories and other laboratory settings. In these settings, individuals to be screened for infection are of higher risk groups than the blood donor population, and thus require the use of testing methodologies with high levels of analytical sensitivity to detect primary infection. Of significance, the high level of analytical and epidemiological sensitivity demonstrated by most of the fourth-generation assays with seroconversion and clade panels, as well as a variety of patient populations, makes them ideal for use in a variety of testing situations for the diagnosis of early and established infection. In routine laboratory settings, HIV-infected samples that are identified via antigen detection would not have been identified by the usual screening antibody assays, because antigen testing of patients is not performed commonly as a screening tool outside blood banks. The detection of early infection has been shown to be beneficial for the prompt initiation of appropriate antiretroviral therapy in a clinically relevant time frame. Additionally, early detection will help in the timely implementation of interventions such as the counseling of patients, prevention of transmission, and management of infection.

[jeffopa]

Fourth-Generation Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of HIV Antigen and Antibody

Antibody can be detected in a majority of individuals within 6-12 weeks after infection using the earlier generations of assays, but may be detected within 3-4 weeks when using the newer third-generation antigen sandwich assays.(2) The window period can be shortened to about 2 weeks using p24 antigen assays or reduced to 1 week with the implementation of nucleic acid detection assays.(12) Consequently, the window period between infection and detection of infection may be <2 weeks if a comprehensive testing approach is utilized. The detection of p24 antigen by ELISA is a simple cost-effective technique to demonstrate viral capsid (core) p24 protein in blood during acute infection due to the initial burst of virus replication after infection. In order to maximize the detection of all infected individuals, including those in early infection, antibody, antigen, and viral RNA tests should be used. However, viral RNA tests are expensive, time consuming, and unavailable in many laboratories. Laboratories that possess ELISA capability can increase the ability to detect most infections by testing for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. During the late 1990s, assays in an ELISA format that have the capability to detect both HIV antibody and HIV p24 antigen simultaneously were developed, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate assays.

The new generation of combination ELISAs that simultaneously detect both antigen and antibody has been developed and marketed, and offers advantages for decreasing the time, personnel, and costs necessary to perform each assay individually. These assays have demonstrated a high analytical sensitivity of detection that is most likely attributed to the combination of a third-generation format (antigen sandwich) for antibody detection and the ability to simultaneously detect HIV p24 antigen. To date, there are 8 commercial, combination antibody and antigen assays that have been developed and evaluated.(13-31) These fourth-generation assays include the VIDAS HIV DUO Ultra (bioMérieux; Marcy l'Etoile, France), Enzymun-Test-HIV-Combi (Boehringer; Mannheim, Germany), Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/AB (Organon Teknika; Boxtel, Netherlands), AxSYM-HIV Ag/AB (Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Park, IL), Enzygnost HIV Integral (Dade Behring; Marburg, Germany), Genescreen Plus HIV Ag-AB (Bio-Rad), and COBAS Core HIV Combi (Roche Diagnostics; Mannheim, Germany). The eighth assay is an 18-minute, double-antigen sandwich combination assay called the Elecsys-HIV Combi (Boehringer) that has been reported to have a specificity of 99.8% when challenged with a cohort of hospitalized patients.(16) This rapid assay is based on electrochemiluminescence and is reported to reduce the window period by 5 days over antibody tests. A ninth, unidentified assay is a lineal immunoenzymatic assay evaluated to have a sensitivity of only 99.5% and a specificity of 94.8%.

The benefits of testing for both antibody and antigen are justifiable due to the need to identify individuals with both established and early HIV infection not only for the blood donor population but also for some clinical applications. Early detection of infection via antigen testing promotes the prompt referral of infected individuals for the initiation of treatment, counseling, and prevention interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Due to their ability to detect p24 antigen, the fourth-generation ELISAs will be of value in detecting early infection. These assays are highly applicable for the diagnosis of early and established HIV infection by hospital and private clinical laboratories and other laboratory settings. In these settings, individuals to be screened for infection are of higher risk groups than the blood donor population, and thus require the use of testing methodologies with high levels of analytical sensitivity to detect primary infection. Of significance, the high level of analytical and epidemiological sensitivity demonstrated by most of the fourth-generation assays with seroconversion and clade panels, as well as a variety of patient populations, makes them ideal for use in a variety of testing situations for the diagnosis of early and established infection. In routine laboratory settings, HIV-infected samples that are identified via antigen detection would not have been identified by the usual screening antibody assays, because antigen testing of patients is not performed commonly as a screening tool outside blood banks. The detection of early infection has been shown to be beneficial for the prompt initiation of appropriate antiretroviral therapy in a clinically relevant time frame. Additionally, early detection will help in the timely implementation of interventions such as the counseling of patients, prevention of transmission, and management of infection.

[jeffopa]

Fourth-Generation Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of HIV Antigen and Antibody

Antibody can be detected in a majority of individuals within 6-12 weeks after infection using the earlier generations of assays, but may be detected within 3-4 weeks when using the newer third-generation antigen sandwich assays.(2) The window period can be shortened to about 2 weeks using p24 antigen assays or reduced to 1 week with the implementation of nucleic acid detection assays.(12) Consequently, the window period between infection and detection of infection may be <2 weeks if a comprehensive testing approach is utilized. The detection of p24 antigen by ELISA is a simple cost-effective technique to demonstrate viral capsid (core) p24 protein in blood during acute infection due to the initial burst of virus replication after infection. In order to maximize the detection of all infected individuals, including those in early infection, antibody, antigen, and viral RNA tests should be used. However, viral RNA tests are expensive, time consuming, and unavailable in many laboratories. Laboratories that possess ELISA capability can increase the ability to detect most infections by testing for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. During the late 1990s, assays in an ELISA format that have the capability to detect both HIV antibody and HIV p24 antigen simultaneously were developed, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate assays.

The new generation of combination ELISAs that simultaneously detect both antigen and antibody has been developed and marketed, and offers advantages for decreasing the time, personnel, and costs necessary to perform each assay individually. These assays have demonstrated a high analytical sensitivity of detection that is most likely attributed to the combination of a third-generation format (antigen sandwich) for antibody detection and the ability to simultaneously detect HIV p24 antigen. To date, there are 8 commercial, combination antibody and antigen assays that have been developed and evaluated.(13-31) These fourth-generation assays include the VIDAS HIV DUO Ultra (bioMérieux; Marcy l'Etoile, France), Enzymun-Test-HIV-Combi (Boehringer; Mannheim, Germany), Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/AB (Organon Teknika; Boxtel, Netherlands), AxSYM-HIV Ag/AB (Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Park, IL), Enzygnost HIV Integral (Dade Behring; Marburg, Germany), Genescreen Plus HIV Ag-AB (Bio-Rad), and COBAS Core HIV Combi (Roche Diagnostics; Mannheim, Germany). The eighth assay is an 18-minute, double-antigen sandwich combination assay called the Elecsys-HIV Combi (Boehringer) that has been reported to have a specificity of 99.8% when challenged with a cohort of hospitalized patients.(16) This rapid assay is based on electrochemiluminescence and is reported to reduce the window period by 5 days over antibody tests. A ninth, unidentified assay is a lineal immunoenzymatic assay evaluated to have a sensitivity of only 99.5% and a specificity of 94.8%.

The benefits of testing for both antibody and antigen are justifiable due to the need to identify individuals with both established and early HIV infection not only for the blood donor population but also for some clinical applications. Early detection of infection via antigen testing promotes the prompt referral of infected individuals for the initiation of treatment, counseling, and prevention interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Due to their ability to detect p24 antigen, the fourth-generation ELISAs will be of value in detecting early infection. These assays are highly applicable for the diagnosis of early and established HIV infection by hospital and private clinical laboratories and other laboratory settings. In these settings, individuals to be screened for infection are of higher risk groups than the blood donor population, and thus require the use of testing methodologies with high levels of analytical sensitivity to detect primary infection. Of significance, the high level of analytical and epidemiological sensitivity demonstrated by most of the fourth-generation assays with seroconversion and clade panels, as well as a variety of patient populations, makes them ideal for use in a variety of testing situations for the diagnosis of early and established infection. In routine laboratory settings, HIV-infected samples that are identified via antigen detection would not have been identified by the usual screening antibody assays, because antigen testing of patients is not performed commonly as a screening tool outside blood banks. The detection of early infection has been shown to be beneficial for the prompt initiation of appropriate antiretroviral therapy in a clinically relevant time frame. Additionally, early detection will help in the timely implementation of interventions such as the counseling of patients, prevention of transmission, and management of infection.

[jeffopa]

Fourth-Generation Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of HIV Antigen and Antibody

Antibody can be detected in a majority of individuals within 6-12 weeks after infection using the earlier generations of assays, but may be detected within 3-4 weeks when using the newer third-generation antigen sandwich assays.(2) The window period can be shortened to about 2 weeks using p24 antigen assays or reduced to 1 week with the implementation of nucleic acid detection assays.(12) Consequently, the window period between infection and detection of infection may be <2 weeks if a comprehensive testing approach is utilized. The detection of p24 antigen by ELISA is a simple cost-effective technique to demonstrate viral capsid (core) p24 protein in blood during acute infection due to the initial burst of virus replication after infection. In order to maximize the detection of all infected individuals, including those in early infection, antibody, antigen, and viral RNA tests should be used. However, viral RNA tests are expensive, time consuming, and unavailable in many laboratories. Laboratories that possess ELISA capability can increase the ability to detect most infections by testing for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. During the late 1990s, assays in an ELISA format that have the capability to detect both HIV antibody and HIV p24 antigen simultaneously were developed, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate assays.

The new generation of combination ELISAs that simultaneously detect both antigen and antibody has been developed and marketed, and offers advantages for decreasing the time, personnel, and costs necessary to perform each assay individually. These assays have demonstrated a high analytical sensitivity of detection that is most likely attributed to the combination of a third-generation format (antigen sandwich) for antibody detection and the ability to simultaneously detect HIV p24 antigen. To date, there are 8 commercial, combination antibody and antigen assays that have been developed and evaluated.(13-31) These fourth-generation assays include the VIDAS HIV DUO Ultra (bioMérieux; Marcy l'Etoile, France), Enzymun-Test-HIV-Combi (Boehringer; Mannheim, Germany), Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/AB (Organon Teknika; Boxtel, Netherlands), AxSYM-HIV Ag/AB (Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Park, IL), Enzygnost HIV Integral (Dade Behring; Marburg, Germany), Genescreen Plus HIV Ag-AB (Bio-Rad), and COBAS Core HIV Combi (Roche Diagnostics; Mannheim, Germany). The eighth assay is an 18-minute, double-antigen sandwich combination assay called the Elecsys-HIV Combi (Boehringer) that has been reported to have a specificity of 99.8% when challenged with a cohort of hospitalized patients.(16) This rapid assay is based on electrochemiluminescence and is reported to reduce the window period by 5 days over antibody tests. A ninth, unidentified assay is a lineal immunoenzymatic assay evaluated to have a sensitivity of only 99.5% and a specificity of 94.8%.

The benefits of testing for both antibody and antigen are justifiable due to the need to identify individuals with both established and early HIV infection not only for the blood donor population but also for some clinical applications. Early detection of infection via antigen testing promotes the prompt referral of infected individuals for the initiation of treatment, counseling, and prevention interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Due to their ability to detect p24 antigen, the fourth-generation ELISAs will be of value in detecting early infection. These assays are highly applicable for the diagnosis of early and established HIV infection by hospital and private clinical laboratories and other laboratory settings. In these settings, individuals to be screened for infection are of higher risk groups than the blood donor population, and thus require the use of testing methodologies with high levels of analytical sensitivity to detect primary infection. Of significance, the high level of analytical and epidemiological sensitivity demonstrated by most of the fourth-generation assays with seroconversion and clade panels, as well as a variety of patient populations, makes them ideal for use in a variety of testing situations for the diagnosis of early and established infection. In routine laboratory settings, HIV-infected samples that are identified via antigen detection would not have been identified by the usual screening antibody assays, because antigen testing of patients is not performed commonly as a screening tool outside blood banks. The detection of early infection has been shown to be beneficial for the prompt initiation of appropriate antiretroviral therapy in a clinically relevant time frame. Additionally, early detection will help in the timely implementation of interventions such as the counseling of patients, prevention of transmission, and management of infection.

[cmc41]

Thanks for your response's to my question. It is very much appreciated. Best  wishes to both of you

[Teak]

Yes I totally agree with Paris and so do the Drs on the Doctor's Forum.

[cmc41]

Does everyone agree with Paris420's answer? Nothing against Paris, but would like to see if everyone agrees or is there a different opinion

[cmc41]

Thanks Paris420 for your response. Question though, Yours was the only answer that I received. Does that mean everyone agrees with your answer?

[paris420]

You were at no risk and do not need any testing. Also remember that PCR test can give false positive results because it is an extrmely sensitive test.