fingerpick 4th generation tests

[jamescapp]

hey folks — my question is that i’ve read here and everywhere that hiv in blood does nearly immediately when exposed to air and water.

when i had a 4th generation hiv test done they collected blood from my fingertip.  but isn’t that blood exposed to air briefly before it is set in the test device?  would that not kill the virus and make the test not work?

curious how that works.

i know the test detects antibodies which is not the virus and antigens which is?

Anyway thanks!

[CurfewX]

You don't understand how the tests work. They aren't testing for the virus, which is inactivated in the environment. The tests look for antigens/antibodies which are present regardless of exposure to the environment.

[jamescapp]

interesting ok.  

i thought sntigene were the virus.?  

[CurfewX]

antigens and antibodies are NOT the virus itself, no. They are developed in reaction to the virus.

It is not rational to think that hundreds of scientists who developed the test did not take into account the fact that blood would be exposed to air, in any case. You did not suddenly discover a flaw in the test procedure that no one else thought of.