Does HIV Rapid Test Detect All Types Of HIV Strains?

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Question: Dear Docter Murgan Sir
Can HIV rapid test detects all types of HIV strains in world? I have heard certain case where no antibodies develped and person progress to aids. I have done HIV ag/ab rapid test in UAE after 95 days and result is Negative. Can I believe on results and go ahead?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rapid test can detect all sub types of M strain of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back to HCM.

Only the HIV M Strain and its subtypes are prevalent throughout the world except that of certain pockets of XXXXXXX where the strains of O, N and P are found.
Rapid test can detect all subtypes of M strain whereas ELISA or EIA can also detects the rarer strain also.

Unless you had traveled and had sex at Cameroon or west central XXXXXXX you need not bother about other strains of HIV.
Without the presence of antibodies against HIV, disease progressed to AIDS are documented only in one or two situations till date and have to be studied further.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

I lived in uae and never travelled XXXXXXX I have exposure in uae. whether I should worry
Which test detects all stains of hiv 1 and hiv 2.
Also rapid test not able to detect hiv 2.
Please advise

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not to worry about the rarer strains of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

Rapid test can detect both HIV 1 and 2. No doubt about that. When you had not traveled to XXXXXXX especially to Camaroon, you need not worry about other strains of HIV.
Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T