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How Accurate Is A 4th Generation Test For HIV?

Posted on Tue, 26 Sep 2017

Question: Hello doctor. I apologize if you get many questions regarding this subject but it is a recent event. I am testing myself for possible hiv infection and at two weeks post high risk exposure I tested neg on hiv 1 rna test. But I developed pharyngitis a few days later. So that worried me. I took a Fourth gen test at four weeks and was negative. I have a fear it could be hiv2 so I am taking the hiv2 rna test tomorrow at 32 days post exposure. I believe any DNA should be found at that time if present, yes? And if that test is negative can I feel good about the diagnosis or do I need to test again the Fourth gen test at 13 weeks? Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Getting the HIV2 test done should suffice

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. You need not go for the fourth generation test at 13 weeks. Rather, if you are really apprehensive and want to get the test done, do so at least after 120 days from the exposure. Negative results in this case would be confirmatory.

I do not think that the pharyngitis has anything to do with the probable exposure.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

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