4th gen test and antibody

[Panickstation]

Is the 4th gen test and antibody test deemed to be conclusive at 6 weeks after exposure.?

[sleeplessnights34]

As alderick84 and B23121 stated, a negative at 8 weeks isn't  going to change as none of the doctors have ever seen an 8 week negative turn positive later on.

But, the link alderick84 provides also shows EXACTLY why we stick to the 12-week conclusive result despite the DUO's extreme accuracy and an 8 week negative.

=====================================================

Dr HHH:

"Dr. Bob is simply saying that when the risk of HIV infection is particularly high, it is sometimes wise to have an extra test at the lastest possible time.  WE DO THE SAME THING HERE.  Even though we almost always say 6-8 weeks is plenty of time, when someone is at particularly high risk, WE ADVISE TESTING AT 3 MONTHS. "

"Now assume a known HIV infected partner has unprotected anal sex.  The receptive partner has a 1% chance of catching HIV, or 1 in 100.   If a test at 4 weeks is negative, his chance of being infected drops to 1 in 1,000.  A lot better than 1 in 100, but obviously not good enough.  Same test, done at the same time after exposure, but a very different level of reassurance.  This person clearly needs another test or two.  Even at 6-8 weeks, when the test picks up nearly all (let's say 99%) of infections, the chance he has HIV is still 1 in 10,000.  Better still, but good enough?  Maybe not.  THEREFORE DR HOOK OR I WOULD RECOMMEND A 3 MONTH TEST."

Please follow the link alderick84 has kindly provided, which also redirects you to other links, and you will see the quotes above from Dr Handsdsfield.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/what-is-the-window-period-for-hiv/show/1704700

[roostermonkey]

Hello, this forum is based in the US, so we must advice according to CDC guidelines, they say that a 4th gen test taken 4 - 6 weeks after exposure is an excellent indicator about your status and its very unlikely to change in the future, but must be confirmed by any test taken after 12 weeks.

Recommendations from other countries must be different.
Here, only a doctor, based on his experience and the risk level you had, might be able to advice you to stop testing after a negative at six weeks.

You could read what Dr Hansfield said about current window periods.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/what-is-the-window-period-for-hiv/show/1704700

[B23121]

The general consensus among HIV experts is that a 4th generation provides definitive results at 4 weeks. The World Health Organization changed their guidelines to 6 weeks for 4th generation tests. If you test negative with a 4th generation test at 6 weeks that is basically proof that you did not contract HIV. Follow up testing at 12 weeks i still recommended if you had a high risk exposure and your results are extremely highly unlikely to change after a 6 week Duo test.

The CDC also states that 4th generation testing does indeed shorten the window period. They still however recommend a final test at 12 weeks.