worried and confused, hiv?

[tabby2424]

November 27th, 2014 was my last possible exposure to HIV as i am not aware of his status. We had unprotected vaginal sex. I have since then tested negative for a 6 week 4th generation DUO test and negative again for a 8 week DUO test, both with the ABBOTT architect. I have read forums stating that the combo is conclusive at 8 weeks however, in Canada all the health professionals i have talked to are stating 3 months is conclusive. Please help as i am confused and anxious. I will be testing at 12 weeks either way but I'm wondering if i can expect them to stay the same

[B23121]

HIV experts have stated a negative DUO test done 4 weeks or anytime after is conclusive. The helpline was being overly conservative. Trust your 8 week negative duo test. It will not change. Like I said there is all sorts of different information out there. One person says 6 months, one person says 12 weeks. Trust your 8 week duo. You can test out at 12 weeks but your result will not change. It saddens me that agencies still follow out dated guidelines based on strictly antibody only tests based on old data from older tests no longer in use. I don't have the link handy but a study was done on numerous seroconversion panels and it was determined the chances of a false negative at 6 weeks was 0.1 percent. Which in all likelyhood means zero.

If that doesn't assure you, search up some posts in the expert doctor's forum from Dr. Handsfield and Dr. Hook.

[tabby2424]

thank you so much! I did check with the CDC guidelines and even they state the window period is 2-6 weeks. As i tested negative at 8 weeks i do believe the result is more accurate. I will test at 12 weeks either way. Thanks again!

[sleeplessnights34]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/hiv/show/2829144#post_13648341

Please don't make new threads for the same questions.

[tabby2424]

I did mean 2015. I talked to someone on a helpline at CATIE today and they said to go by the 12 week? I'm just having a hard time finding assurance. My doctor told me 6 months, the AIDS ontario helpline said nothing is conclusive until 12 weeks, and other forums online have stated 8 weeks is plenty of time for a conclusive result. I was just wondering, i did not get tested early, i waiting till 6 weeks. Would that make the COMBO test simply an antibody test? or would the antigen still be apparent?

[tabby2424]

sorry i meant 2015

[B23121]

I am also confused. 2014 or 2015?

[B23121]

I think you mean November 27th 2015 not 2014. Your Duo test was conclusive at any time after 4 weeks. I too live in Canada and the information varies from province to province. However (CATIE, Canadian Aids Treatment Information Exchange) the governing body for HIV research in Canada says a duo test is conclusive at 28 days or anytime after. I personally spoke with the medical director and she stated the window period is 4 weeks for the Duo test. That information is also stated by HIV experts such as Dr. Handsfield and Dr. Hook (World reknowned HIV experts) based on numerous seroconversion panel studies. The 90 day window period refers strictly to Antibody only tests. Most health officials and agencies are following an outdated guideline. It is up to you if you want to test out at 12 weeks. But you can bet on a negative.

[RubyWitch]

At 12 weeks post your LAST exposure, a 4th generation DUO test will give you 100% conclusive results.

I am unclear as to when you had your two previous tests. If you have had NO sex since November 27th of 2014, any test results will be conclusive.

If you HAVE had sex in 2015 and it was UNPROTECTED or the condom broke, you would need to test at 28 days post THAT exposure with a 4th generation DUO and a confirmatory test at 12 weeks for 100% conclusive results.

I can understand your confusion, because I am, too.