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Pcr and antibody testing
I know you are vert busy so I research your site but I still have a few questions.I was stuck by a needle a lancet after someone had used it 5 minutes before. I don't know their status.I waited 7 weeks and1 day and had a pcr /antibody test.The same test they give when donating blood(that is what my doctor told me).The test was negative for hiv virus. please tell me is the pcr/antibody test as accurate as the antigen combo test.Again my test was negative can I be confident the my results are accurate and Conclusive and I don't have anything to worry about. thank you guys for all the excellent help you give everyone.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Neither test loses accuracy. After 4 weeks, 100% of people with HIV have positive results for the rest of their lives.
Don't overthink it. There is nothing you can think up that would change the fact that you don't have HIV, or that would change my opinion or advice. So ignore any "what if" or "yes but" questions that come to mind. I won't have anything more to say. Just move on without worry.
Don't overthink it. There is nothing you can think up that would change the fact that you don't have HIV, or that would change my opinion or advice. So ignore any "what if" or "yes but" questions that come to mind. I won't have anything more to say. Just move on without worry.
Dr Handsfield or Dr Hook last question. I know the pcr test is accurate at 4 weeks due to your answer. Is the pcr/antibody test just as accurate as the antigen/antibody test at 7 weeks when I was tested. Or does it lose it's its accuracy after 4 weeks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Like p24, PCR detects the virus itself and is a superior test for that purpose. PCR plus antibody at 4 weeks is, if anything, even more reliable than tue duo antigen-antibody test.
Thanks for the thanks. Take care.
Thanks for the thanks. Take care.
Thanks a lot only one follow up question. I have read that the virus when infected would test positive until antibodies are formed and the antibodies take the place of the virus and it would show positive to antibodies. Is this true in both the pcr/test and the 4 generation test. I just want to be sure the pcr/antibody is just as accurate as the 4 generation test.thanks I hope this will be my last time I ever need to ask another question.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your succinct question.
The combination of a negative PCR and antibody test at 7 weeks after possible exposure to HIV is 100% reliable and conclusive. For sure you were not infected and need no further testing.
And probably there was little or no risk anyway. I know you "don't know their status", but Is there any reason to believe the previous lancet user had HIV? And even if at risk, HIV is rarely if ever transmitted by medical instruments except hollow needles or deep cuts, like with a contaminated scalpel.
I hope this has helped. Thanks for your kind words about our services.
HHH, MD
The combination of a negative PCR and antibody test at 7 weeks after possible exposure to HIV is 100% reliable and conclusive. For sure you were not infected and need no further testing.
And probably there was little or no risk anyway. I know you "don't know their status", but Is there any reason to believe the previous lancet user had HIV? And even if at risk, HIV is rarely if ever transmitted by medical instruments except hollow needles or deep cuts, like with a contaminated scalpel.
I hope this has helped. Thanks for your kind words about our services.
HHH, MD
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