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How Long Do HIV Antibodies Take To Show Up On A Test?

Posted on Sat, 25 Oct 2014

Question: How long do hiv antibodies take to show up on a test. Are the rapid oral and blood tests accurate?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
3-6 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
HIV antibodies start appearing anytime after 2 weeks of exposure but it takes time in many may be up to 3-6 months to appear.
We usually take as at least 3 months though in very rare cases take 6 months for antibodies to appear.
To declare negative for hiv antibodies for any antibody test 3 months post exposure is required .
Rapid tests are quite accurate in screening but not conclusive when in doubt and has to be confirmed by confirmatory tests.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh
Dermatologist and venereologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Thank you!

Is this the same info for hep b? In regard to antibodies?

What are the chances that hep c istransmitted sexually? Orally?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes .3-6 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Yes even in hepatitis B it may take 3-6 months to be sure though may be slightly earlier.
Hepatitis C though usual mode is by blood can be transmitted by sexual route if the person is infected .orally infection transmission is rare and not well documented you need not worry.
You can get back for clarification else close the discussion and rate
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 days later)

Do know how long it takes to get a hep c RNA test back from the lab?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
2 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
The hepatitis C RNA test results should be available by 2 days.May be longer if done at different place.
If you have any clarification get back to me else please close the discussion and rate.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (43 hours later)

The rna results came back as undeteced and <1.8,is next to that. What does that mean?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
negative for hcv RNA

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Once it is negative do not bother of the nearness to the cut of value. Negative is negative and do not worry.
You are free of the disease.
You can get back for any clarification else close the discussion and rate.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (6 minutes later)

So on one side it says non detected and the other it has <1.8 written twice. Is this his level or just the level the lab uses? So this should be considered a negative?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
negative results.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.
It may be reference level which will usually be written near the actual value for reference.
In your case it is negative as mentioned
You can get back for clarification else close the discussion and rate.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad