Aa
validity of an HIV test
Hi
I recently came across information that made me question the accuracy and validity of HIV testing. According to the information I came across HIV test don't test for HIV but rather for antibodies.
My question is: if this is the case then how accurate really are these tests? E.g, if someone contracted a viral disease such as chickenpox (which lasts a lifetime in the body) during their childhood wouldnt that mar their results (including viral load testing)? Surely such the body would produce antibodies to keep the virus at bay meaning that the ELISA &Western Blot test could actually be detecting these antibodies. Secondly the chickenpox virus is in the same family as STDs therefore the viral load test could actually be picking up this specific virus. Thirdly, for example, shingles is commonly referred to/associated as an AIDS related disease meanline the cause is actually the chickenpox virus. The first time one contracts the virus it is chickenpox, the second time (or when it starts becoming active again) it becomes shingles. Taking this into light shouldn'tt HIV tests be testing for something else? And should shouldn't people's medical history be taken into account as well in order for these tests to be more accurate?
I recently came across information that made me question the accuracy and validity of HIV testing. According to the information I came across HIV test don't test for HIV but rather for antibodies.
My question is: if this is the case then how accurate really are these tests? E.g, if someone contracted a viral disease such as chickenpox (which lasts a lifetime in the body) during their childhood wouldnt that mar their results (including viral load testing)? Surely such the body would produce antibodies to keep the virus at bay meaning that the ELISA &Western Blot test could actually be detecting these antibodies. Secondly the chickenpox virus is in the same family as STDs therefore the viral load test could actually be picking up this specific virus. Thirdly, for example, shingles is commonly referred to/associated as an AIDS related disease meanline the cause is actually the chickenpox virus. The first time one contracts the virus it is chickenpox, the second time (or when it starts becoming active again) it becomes shingles. Taking this into light shouldn'tt HIV tests be testing for something else? And should shouldn't people's medical history be taken into account as well in order for these tests to be more accurate?
Everyone will have detectable antibodies by 3 Months and NO other medical condition will affect this process.Some say that chemotherapy and transplant patients may have delayed seroconversion but again even this group of people will have detectable antibodies by 3 months.An ELISA test is 99.9% accurate.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
