HIV Testing Question

[j4000]

Doctor:

I have a few questions regarding HIV testing.  According to Dr. Hook, I had a no risk event last year, however for peace of mind I decided to get tested.  On the 9th week after the event I decided to get a "4th Generation test that I included an antibody for HIV I and HIV 2. (I assuming all FDA approved test do)  I understand after 28 days the 4th generation is 100% conclusive for HIV I, but not for 2. (before this site I had never heard of HIV 2) I have read that antibody test are a 100% conclusive after 8 weeks for both HIV I and HIV II.  I have also read the offical recommendation is 3 months, and some cases 6 months.  I am dealing with strong anxiety, and I am trying to move on.

1. What are your recommendations for testing in regards on how long you have to wait to get a test?

2. If different, should I disregard the "offical recommendations"?

3.  Are all "4th Generation test" offered by different labs FDA approved and generally test for the Ag and antibodies?

4.  I am coming up on my twelve week.  Do I need another antibody test?

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sigh.  I don't understand what isn't clear.

The whole point is that the scientific evidence is that an antibody test, by itself, is 100% conclusive by 8 weeks.  However, the official advice remains 3 months; the reasons that official advice has not changed are explained in the first of the three linked threads.

Some people who are especially anxious -- and it is clear you are in this category -- like to have a final test at 3 months, just because it is official.  They don't need it -- just a personal preference.  If you would feel better knowing you have had a negative result at the official time frame, have a 3 month test.  Personally, I don't recommend this -- but it's up to you.

Got it now?  I hope so -- because this is the last comment on this thread!

[j4000]

Doctor;

I had read all the threads, and I had concluded that  8 weeks was conclusive and definitive for an antibody test.  However, your sentence "The need for waiting for 3 months for definitive testing strictly applies only whe only antibody testing is done. " to me states that you need to wait 3 months if you are solely relying on the antibody test.  The other threads state it differently.  I asume from your response that eight weeks is conclusive and definitive for the antibody test, but I was hoping to get clarification that I misunderstood the sentence.  I understand clearly that I had no risk event, however, I just wanted to make sure that I understand your threads and the tests.  

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You're really having trouble letting this go, aren't you?  It's really pointless given your exposure.  Don't overthink it.  Like most anxious persons, it is clear that you will always be another "yes but" or "what if' question.  I won't play that game, so this is my last reply.

In the 10 years since this forum started, no user reliably reported having actually caught HIV from an exposure they asked about.  You won't be the first.  If and when that happens, it won't come from a non-exposure event like yours.

Both HIV-1 and 2 are covered by the tests you mention. And HIV-2 is virtually absent in the US.

In addition, the answers to these questions are in the other threads I linked, which I guess you haven't read.  Please do so.

That's definitely all for this thread.

[j4000]

Thanks Doctor.  However, I am a little confused.  In the second post, you wrote this "The need for waiting for 3 months for definitive testing strictly applies only whe only antibody testing is done. "  Is an eight weeks antibody test not definitive or conclusive when done alone?   If this is true, why would the 4th generation test be ok when it only tests for HIV 1 antigen and not HIV II?  I understood from your original comment that an antibody test taken after eight weeks was conclusive and definitive.    I realize this is anxiety driven and I mean no disrepect to you or Dr. Hook.   I just to confirm that I understand correctly.

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome back to the forum.  But I'm sorry to see that you remain anxious about your recent exposure despite Dr. Hook's reassuring advice.

The time to reliable HIV testing has been discussed repeatedly on this forum. For more information, scan just about any 5-10 threads at random; or the threads linked below.  (Read the discussions as well as initial answers; the main information may be in the follow-up comments.)  The 4th generation tests indeed are conclusive at 4 weeks after the last possible exposure, and any time after that.  The stand-alone antibody tests are conclusive after 6-8 weeks, despite official advice to wait 3 months for efinitive results.

Your results are conclusive and prove you did not catch HIV1 or HIV2.  No further testing is necessary.  It's up to you whether to have a final test at 3 months, in view of the official advice from most health agencies and test manufacturers.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1891685
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/2064508

Please note that MedHelp permits no more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions).  This will have to be your last for 6 months.

Regards--  HHH, MD